had not the slightest idea of the peculiar qualities of Hiram, but he knew if he received him, it would be the means of making an inroad into the conservative quarter, and he should secure the trade and influence of the Meekers beside.  He went so far as to explain this to Pease, in the most confidential and friendly manner; but the latter was not to be persuaded or mollified.  As he could not prevent the advent of Hiram, he resolved to make his position just as uncomfortable as he possibly could.  But he little knew the stuff he had to deal with.

The first morning after he had taken possession of his new quarters—­his sleeping-room was over the store—­Hiram rose early, and was looking carefully about the place, when Pease came in and asked him why he did not sweep out.

’I have not yet learned the regulations, Mr. Pease, but am ready to begin any time,’ was Hiram’s quiet reply.

Now, Pease had purposely sent Charley away on an early errand, so as to be able to put this work on the new-comer.  He simply replied, in an arrogant tone, that it was his business every morning to sweep out the store, and then sand the floors, adding, in order to preserve a semblance of truth:  ‘When the boy happens to be here, he will help you.’

Pease was a little astonished to see how readily Hiram set to work.  The store was not only carefully swept, and the floors sanded, but many articles which were scattered about were put in their place, and carefully arranged, so that after breakfast, when Mr. Jessup came in, he remarked on the neat appearance of the store, without knowing to what it was owing.  Thus was the first attempt of J. Pease to annoy Hiram completely foiled.  Furthermore, Hiram kept on sweeping and sanding, although Charley was present; indeed, he declined his assistance altogether, and once, when Mr. Jessup remarked (he had observed to whom the change in the appearance of the store was due) that it was quite unnecessary for him to do the boy’s work, Hiram quietly answered, that he much preferred to do it to seeing the store look as it did when he first came there.

It took our hero but a short time to familiarize himself with the minutiae of Mr. Jessup’s business.  It was not long before Pease began to feel that there was a person every way his superior who was fast acquiring a more thorough insight into affairs than he had himself.  He began to fear that certain private transactions of his own would not escape Hiram’s observation.  He felt magnetically that instead of bullying and domineering over the new-comer, Hiram’s eyes were on him whatever he did.  This was insupportable; but how could he help it?  The more work he imposed on Hiram, the better the latter seemed to like it, and the more he accomplished.

‘Damn him!’ said Pease between his teeth; but cursing did not help the matter, so Pease discovered.