Slow and Sure: The Story of Paul Hoffman the Young Street-Merchant

n's place of business. On entering the offi

ston, "this is your ne

leasantly. "Mrs. Talbot tells me that y

s,

ment, but I am glad to say that

k you

that you have been unfort

en burned out, but we

to save any of

a new dress she

that

s,

nsiderable to replac

Preston for fifty dollars, from the money he has of mine,

dollars be

hand. That will be all

ur care of my house will be worth more than th

out his pocketbook and drew therefrom five ten

in grateful surprise. "We felt w

lbot you are indebted rather than to myself. She suggested my giving

aid Paul, "and so will be my mother when I te

u will," said M

after Paul had bidden them go

Mr. Preston warmly. "He is stra

ou fall in

me," said Mr. P

is

et downtown one day he ran into me and

u in his favor?" inqui

n trade. He was then in hot pursuit. Learning that his mother was a seamstress and a worthy woman, I employed her to make me some shirts. I have followed the fortunes of t

atisfied as I hope to be with the family I wi

n you will b

sed of other things, with wh

and delighted his mother and Jim

t on your bonnet and shawl,

e me too, Paul

am going to buy you a

were a rarity to him, and the purchase of a ne

and himself, and a complete outfit of under garments, closing with the purchase o

ious articles arrived, Paul reg

were getting up in

s mother. "You have been industrious an

ncourage me," said Paul, "or I

," said Mrs. Norton. "It isn't e

o well if their mothers were not shiftless and intemp

, Pa

e asked me to lend him five cents. I asked him why he was not at work. He said his mot

ave in that way?" said

an one mother that does it, though

dawned bright

new clothes, Pa

y, and we'll all put on our b

at," said the lit

readily agree

Jimmy being too young. The church they had formerly attended being in Harlem, they could not of course go so far, but dropped into one not far from Union Square. They were shown seats by the sexton, and listened attentively to the services, though i

found himself, to his surprise, next to Mr. a

g, Mr. Talbo

ed on being add

ul, are y

his is my moth

as if he were addressing his social equal, "I am glad t

were so careful about their own appearance would be equally careful of her house. She also thought more favorably of them for their attendance at church, having herself a

. Talbot going uptown, while Paul and his mother ha

Paul. "It will look well in the Directory, 'Paul H

long as it doesn't mention t

to occupy a whol

dison

so; who

you are gett

Jimmy, who felt that his future

s artist, and have a s

aul?" asked the lit

from me now and then. If I had time I woul

w awfull

draw any

ourse

, "that boy's self-conceit is unbounde

eveloping his talent by engaging a drawing teacher for him. The large saving in their expenses from not being obliged