"Now Scott will be crowing over me," he thought to himself. "I can't stand it; I think I will run away."
Scott went into Mr. Little's store the next day and sought the proprietor.
"You can come back to work on Monday morning," said Ezra, "and you can go round to the house this evening."
"Thank you, sir; but I have got another place."
Ezra Little was very much surprised, for the firm mentioned was in the wholesale line and stood very high.
"Mr. Wood, the gentleman that was with me last evening, recommended me."
"Very well," said Mr. Little, curtly. "You will bear in mind that I offered you your position back. Of course, if you lose your new place I can make no promises."
The house of Tower, Douglas & Co. occupied a very high position in New York, and was known by reputation all over the country. The firm was liberal and considerate, and there were plenty of boys and young men who sought to enter their establishment.
Rich men sometimes offered the services of their sons, but Mr. Tower was never willing to accept them.
"A boy who works for nothing," he said, "is worth only what he receives. He loses his self-respect, and has no ambition to rise."
Generally, however, the wages paid to beginners were small, not over three or four dollars a week.
Of course it was impossible for Scott to live on such pay. Justin Wood was a relative of Mrs. Tower, and being personally liked by her husband, was the better able to secure favors.
When he obtained Scott's engagement he said: "Now as to the rate of compensation, Mr. Tower; how much are you willing to pay my young friend?"
"We usually pay three dollars a week. We will stretch a point and make it four in the case of young Walton."
"I want you to pay him ten dollars a week."
"Impossible!" he exclaimed. "You must be crazy."
"The boy is wholly dependent on what he earns."
"That may be; but I am under no obligation to support him."
"True," said Justin Wood, smiling, "but you may charge the extra six dollars to me."
"That will make a difference; but suppose our other employees find it out; then there will be dissatisfaction."
"Then let him understand that he is only paid ten dollars as a special favor to me, and that the arrangement must be kept strictly secret."