in the shoe trade which threw him out of work.  More than most occupations the shoe business is liable to these sudden fluctuations and suspensions, and the most industrious and ambitious workman is often compelled to spend in his enforced weeks of idleness all that he had been able to save when employed, and thus at the end of the year finds himself, through no fault of his own, no better off than at the beginning.  Finding himself out of work, our hero visited other shoe establishments in the hope of employment.  But his search was in vain.  Chance in this emergency made him acquainted with Professor Henderson, a well-known magician and conjurer, whose custom it was to travel, through the fall and winter, from town to town, giving public exhibitions of his skill.  He was in want of an assistant, to sell tickets and help him generally, and he offered the position to our hero, at a salary of five dollars a week.  It is needless to say that the position was gladly accepted.  It was not the business that Harry preferred, but he reasoned justly that it was honorable, and was far better than remaining idle.  He found Professor Henderson as he called himself, a considerate and agreeable employer, and as may be inferred from the conversation with which this chapter begins, his services were very satisfactory.  At the close of the six months, he had the satisfaction of paying the note which his father had given, and so of disappointing the selfish schemes of the grasping creditor.

This was not all.  He met with an adventure while travelling for the Professor, in which a highwayman who undertook to rob him, came off second best, and he was thus enabled to add fifty dollars to his savings.  His financial condition at the opening of the present story has already been set forth.

Though I have necessarily omitted many interesting details, to be found in “Bound to Rise,” I have given the reader all the information required to enable him to understand the narrative of Harry’s subsequent fortunes.

CHAPTER 11.

The printing office.

Jotham Anderson, editor and publisher of the “Centreville Gazette,” was sitting at his desk penning an editorial paragraph, when the office door opened, and Harry Walton entered.

“Good-morning, Mr. Anderson,” said our hero, removing his hat.

“Good-morning, my friend.  I believe you have the advantage of me,” replied the editor.

Our hero was taken aback.  It didn’t occur to him that the engagement was a far less important event to the publisher than to himself.  He began to be afraid that the place had not been kept open for him.

“My name is Harry Walton,” he explained.  “I was travelling with Prof.  Henderson last winter, and called here to get some bills printed.”

“Oh yes, I remember you now.  I agreed to take you into the office,” said the editor, to Harry’s great relief.