“You did!” Mrs. Mayberry said, quickly, her weak frame trembling, although she struggled hard to be composed.

“Yes.  And Mr. Easy is well acquainted with the publisher, and could get me the place, I am sure.”

“Then go and see him at once, Hiram.  If you can secure it, all will be well, if not, your little brothers and sisters will have to be separated, perhaps sent to an orphan asylum.”

Mrs. Mayberry covered her face with her hands and sobbed bitterly for some moments.

Hiram eat his frugal meal quickly, and returned to the store, where he had to remain until his employer went home and dined.  On his return he asked liberty to be absent for half an hour, which was granted.  He then went direct to the counting room of Mr. Easy, and disturbed him as has been seen.  Approaching with a timid step, and a flushed brow, he said in a confused and hurried manner—­

“Mr Easy there is a lad wanted at the Gazette office.”

“Well?” returned Mr. Easy in no very cordial tone.

“Mother thought you would be kind enough to speak to Mr. G—­for me.”

“Havn’t you a place in a store?”

“Yes sir.  But I don’t get any wages.  And at the Gazette office they will pay four dollars a week.”

“But the knowledge of business to be gained where you are, will be worth a great deal more than four dollars a week.”

“I know that, sir.  But mother is not able to board and clothe me.  I must earn something.”

“Oh, aye, that’s it.  Very well, I’ll see about it for you.”

“When shall I call, sir?” asked Hiram.

“When?  Oh, almost any time.  Say to-morrow or next day.”

The lad departed, and Mr. Easy’s head fell back upon the chair, the impression which had been made upon his mind passing away almost as quickly as writing upon water.

With anxious trembling hearts did Mrs. Mayberry and her son wait for the afternoon of the succeeding day.  On the success of Mr. Easy’s application, rested all their hopes.  Neither she nor Hiram eat over a few mouthfuls at dinner time.  The latter hurried away, and returned to the store, there to wait with trembling eagerness until his employer should return from dinner, and he again be free to go and see Mr. Easy.

To Mrs. Mayberry, the afternoon passed slowly.  She had forgotten to tell her son to return home immediately, if the application should be successful.  He did not come back, and she had, consequently, to remain in a state of anxious suspense until dark.  He came in at the usual hour.  His dejected countenance told of disappointment.

“Did you see Mr. Easy?” Mrs. Mayberry asked, in a low troubled voice.

“Yes.  But he hadn’t been to the Gazette office.  He said he had been very busy.  But that he would see about it soon.”