“Then I shall be delighted to go.  Will it be very soon?”

“Yes, very soon.  I shall want you to start next Monday.”

“I will be ready, sir.”

“And I may as well explain what are to be your duties.  I am, as you know, manufacturing a special line of chairs which I am desirous of introducing to the trade.  I shall give you the names of men in my line in Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland and Chicago, and it will be your duty to call upon them, explain the merits of the chair, and solicit orders.  In other words, you will be a traveling salesman or drummer.  I shall pay your traveling expenses, ten dollars a week, and, if your orders exceed a certain limit, I shall give you a commission on the surplus.”

“Suppose I don’t reach that limit?”

“I shall at all events feel that you have done your best.  I will instruct you a little in your duties between now and the time of your departure.  I should myself like to go in your stead, but I am needed here.  There are, of course, others in my employ, older than yourself, whom I might send, but I have an idea that you will prove to be a good salesman.”

“I will try to be, sir.”

On Monday morning Carl left Milford, reached New York in two hours and a half and, in accordance with the directions of Mr. Jennings, engaged passage and a stateroom on one of the palatial night lines of Hudson River steamers to Albany.  The boat was well filled with passengers, and a few persons were unable to procure staterooms.

Carl, however, applied in time, and obtained an excellent room.  He deposited his gripsack therein, and then took a seat on deck, meaning to enjoy as long as possible the delightful scenery for which the Hudson is celebrated.  It was his first long journey, and for this reason Carl enjoyed it all the more.  He could not but contrast his present position and prospects with those of a year ago, when, helpless and penniless, he left an unhappy home to make his own way.

“What a delightful evening!” said a voice at his side.

Turning, Carl saw sitting by him a young man of about thirty, dressed in somewhat pretentious style and wearing eyeglasses.  He was tall and thin, and had sandy side whiskers.

“Yes, it is a beautiful evening,” replied Carl, politely.

“And the scenery is quite charming.  Have you ever been all the way up the river?”

“No, but I hope some day to take a day trip.”

“Just so.  I am not sure but I prefer the Rhine, with its romantic castles and vineclad hills.”

“Have you visited Europe, then?” asked Carl.

“Oh, yes, several times.  I have a passion for traveling.  Our family is wealthy, and I have been able to go where I pleased.”

“That must be very pleasant.”

“It is.  My name is Stuyvesant—­one of the old Dutch families.”

Carl was not so much impressed, perhaps, as he should have been by this announcement, for he knew very little of fashionable life in New York.