“You’d better try a pound of ours,” said Frank.

“I don’t know but I will,” said the lady.  “How much do you charge?”

“I have some at fifty cents, some at sixty and some at seventy.”

“I guess I’ll take the sixty.”

Frank had a pound parcel ready, which he delivered to her, and received his money.

“Seems to me you are pretty young for a peddler,” said the lady, regarding Frank with curiosity.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“How old be you?”

“Sixteen.”

“Been long in the business?”

“No, ma’am; I’ve only just commenced.”

“You don’t say so!  Do you make much money at it?”

“I haven’t made much yet.  I should be glad to supply you with some more tea when this is gone.”

“Well, you can call if you are round this way.  If I like it, I will try you again.”

Frank’s spirits rose.

His profits on the pound of tea were twelve cents.  This was not much, certainly, but it was a beginning.

At the next three houses he sold nothing, being rather rudely rebuffed at one.  At the fourth house, the servant called her mistress, a kind, motherly-looking woman, who seemed to regard Frank with more interest than his merchandise.

“I hope you are succeeding well,” she said, kindly.

“This is my first day,” said Frank, “and I have made one sale.”

“I have a son who is an agent like you, but he didn’t begin so young.  He is now traveling in the West.”

“What is he selling?” asked Frank, with interest.

“Dry goods.  He travels for a wholesale house in New York.”

“I suppose he is a young man.”

“Yes; he is twenty-five, but he began at nineteen in a small way.  He sometimes got quite discouraged at first.  That is why I feel interested in any who are passing through the same experience.”

These pleasant words cheered Frank.  Only at the nearest house he had been called a tramp, but here he found that he was regarded with consideration.

“It is rather uphill work,” said Frank.

“And you seem very young.”

“I am sixteen.”

“Are you entirely dependent on what you earn?” asked the lady, sympathizingly.

“Not entirely,” answered the young merchant, “but I hope to make a living in this or some other way.  Can I sell you any?” he asked, hopefully.

“I believe we have some on hand.  Still tea will always keep, and I would like to help you along.”

The kind-hearted lady took three pounds—­two at sixty cents and one at seventy.  This gave Frank a profit thirty-eight cents and put him in good spirits.

He worked his way back to the avenue on the other side of the street, and coming to a grocery store, entered.

It occurred to him that he would try to sell some at wholesale.

Frank was so young that the dealer did not suppose him to be an agent, and asked what he would like to buy.