Ben Pepper

ir to see him the better. As for Ben himself, he was so amazed at the whole thing, to think that he was by Madam Van Ruypen's side, and expe

you, I shouldn't think of such a thing as to pick out clothes for one. Well, here we are," as Carson drew up

with each other to attract her attention and wait upon her. She didn't notice any of them, but kept on her way, her Roman nose and white puffs of

ou, madam?" he said wi

t. Now then, Ben, speak up and tell the man, for I know nothing about it." With that she looked around for a chair, which the little dapp

was the big figure in the black silk coat, whose eyes had such a way of boring r

coat appears to be essential, and if I were to express an opinion, I sho

w I will show you some. This way, madam;

; "this is not to be of my purchasing; this boy will attend to it

ma'am?" asked Ben, quite aghast at t

dy, having hard work not to

pick out the right t

else to do, Ben followed the little man down what seemed an interminable number of aisles

rs, "is just the thing. It's for yourself, I suppose," and h

n made haste to say, a

whirled around to stare a

going to say "needs them," but the salesman shut off the words from his mouth, and, clapping to the door, led the way off down another aisle to

goods, and wishing he were anywhere else in the world but in that stor

is way," and again they traversed some more aisles, took an elevator, and went up what seemed to Ben a great many floors, at last

n either side, and, at last pausing, he slapped his hand smart

nd approvingly over the thick surf

twear three of those other ones downstairs. We haven't but a

w," said Ben

go by," said the salesman; "of course

eral floors below for the transaction to be completed. "But she's going to give them to a boy," he added desperate

fford to give 'em at this low figure, but there's only these few left, and we don't allow remnants to bother us long, no, sir." He rattled on so fast that Ben, who was slowly going over the coat, which he had by this time gotten into his own hands, in a close exa

faction, when the whole suit had been gone over in this slo

is it?"

them out, as I told you, and we don't give room to remnants.

Madam Van Ruypen, or to any one else, as his selection. So the salesman flung the suit over his arm, and skipped off, followe

sked, as the salesman

nted two," gasped Ben

all this time picking out a paltry one?" She didn't e

s thick and warm, isn't it?" lifting t

back and bring another one, a smaller size, and stay, still another, for there must be some more boys in the family? There ou

across the counter. "Very well chosen," she said. "And now, see here, r

lthy old lady, who, try as hard as she might, never seemed to be able to make much impression on the Van Ruypen money-bags. "Take thi

Ben. But just then a floor-walker touched him on the sho

eckoning to a tall young man, who appeared to Ben very muc

Perkins, leisurely surveying Ben's s

tippet, I thi

salesman, nearly falling backward.

ld have a red woollen tippet to tie around his throat, and perhaps go over his cap, and down around his ears, if it was very cold. Anyway, the

sman, noting the disappointed tone; "

a silk scarf," s

don't know how fine they are.

nothing for the salesman to do but to co

eaving the red tippet out of the ques

down aisles, up in elevators, and into the depa

ng his disgust and disappointment at what he thought was to be a fine purchase, turning out to be such a poor trade. But Ben knew nothing of what was going on in the other one

es?" he asked, as

enly, and slapping the three c

s?" ask

ung man, who looked as if a wrinkle, by any chance, never existed in his clothes, and whose ha

this time Ben had considerable attention down the long store. He couldn

. Perkins held out his hand,

y for them,

the onlookers. "You've bought these caps," and he gave them another disdainful slap togeth

ought them for m

. Perkins whirled around at him. "Who sen

d Ben; "I came with the on

rkins craned his neck this way and that,

r. Perkins was in a bad state. His long limbs seemed wobbling under him, and his usually glib tongue appeared to be faste

th these other articles," pointing to the suit left on the counter. "N

don't seem to keep wh

ing to suit you. Don't go yet, I almost know we can find something," he kept on in such mis

on spread the astounding news that the boy who wanted mittens had good reason to hold his own against everybody, and was by no mean

said Ben, quickly; "I m

how you some things," begge

you might as well, for I must wait here until

ner, "See here," said the salesman, and his face paled, "you won't tell on me, will you?" His mouth t

en, indignantly, and he tur

parched, the words came out so jerkily, "I couldn't stay here a minute,

long to her

much higher up yet, if that were possible, in the social scale. "And I've go

stopped the rest; "I give you

ow?" said Mr. Pe

aid Ben; "that's all I'll s

rop right out of his face. "Thank you," he said. "Now, if yo

e there were no mittens; but there were some thick cloth gloves, and a stout, large handkerchief, and some heavy stockings. And as the other two suits had

esman, by his manner, proclaimed it quite unnecessary, and the tall young

shall insist upon having him wait upon me. Well, now, Ben, while we are driving to Birdsall's, where you can, maybe, get the articles you couldn't find here, let us think up some boys to give th

give the clothes to?" exclaimed Ben, tur

l like those things, I haven't any doubt. I only thought, seeing you've been such a help to me in buying them, that

Gone seemed the city buildings and streets to give place to country lanes, with here and there a

le break in it, as if she were not, somehow, finding quite as much sati

cried Ben, whirling suddenly around on the

morning expedition had been made a failure, and by him, she broke out, "I have the very thing, and, Ben, there are thr

face said, "Do tell me about the

r, being boys, I didn't somehow get interested in them. Their mother d

said

e two older ones, had to walk three miles to school every day. It was only a little settlement, you see." Madam Van Ruypen di

mber! And we'll make the box just as big as we can. W

, promptly, "and a