From this time forth Ezra Little began to pay more attention to his poor relation. Scott\'s social and business success had surprised him. He was compelled, though reluctantly, to consider him a young man of promise.

He had no idea, however, how successful Scott was, and would have been very much amazed to learn the extent of his income.

One result, however, was to excite the jealousy of Loammi. He found that Scott dressed better than himself and had more command of money. Accordingly, he applied to his father for an increased allowance.

"What do you want more money for, Loammi?" asked his father, in a tone far from encouraging. "Don\'t you get a dollar a week?"

"What can I do with a dollar a week, pa?"

"It was more than I received at your age."

"You were a poor boy, while I am the son of a rich man."

[Pg 288]

"Ahem! not exactly rich, Loammi," said Ezra Little, complacently.

"Everybody calls you rich, pa."

"I have some money," admitted Mr. Little, cautiously, "but it is only by great care that I am moderately well off."

"Scott dresses better than I, and always has money in his pocket."

"He is very foolish to spend all his spare money on clothes. By the time he is twenty-one he won\'t have a cent laid up."

"At any rate, he has plenty of cash now. The fact is, pa, people are beginning to notice that he dresses better than I. Percy Shelton was walking with me the other day when we met Scott. \'I thought your cousin was poor,\' he said. \'He only has his wages to depend upon,\' I said. \'Then he must be pretty well paid,\' he replied. \'I saw him at Patti\'s concert Tuesday night, occupying a three-dollar seat.\' That made me feel awfully mean, for you wouldn\'t let me go to hear Patti."

"No; it would be throwing money away."

"All the fashionable people go. People that know you are rich think it strange not to see me there."

This argument had some effect on Mr. Little,[Pg 289] who was anxious that his son should be admitted into fashionable society, but was too close to supply him with the necessary means.

"How much do you want, Loammi?" he asked, cautiously.

"Percy Shelton gets five dollars a week."

"Well, you won\'t," said his father, sharply. "You must think that I am made of money."

"I will try to make it do with four, pa."

"You won\'t get that either. I will give you two dollars a week, and that ought to be enough to satisfy you."

Loammi was not satisfied, but did not think it prudent to say any more just then.

There was one more concert by Patti, and he had hoped to attend. Indeed, he had told Percy that he expected to do so. He might, indeed, have bought a dollar ticket, but he was ashamed to be seen occupying a cheap seat.

Loammi had not much taste for music, and cared chiefly to attend the concert because most of his fashionable friends would be there.

In this dilemma he received unexpected assistance.

He met Scott one evening near the Fifth Avenue Hotel. His poor cousin was handsomely dressed,[Pg 290] and looked to be on good terms with the world, as indeed he was.

"Good-evening, Loammi," he said.

"Good-evening, Scott. Are you still working for Tower, Douglas & Co.?"

"Oh, yes."

"Do they pay you well?"

"I am quite satisfied."

"How much do you get?"

"I would rather not tell."

"Percy Shelton told me he saw you at Patti\'s concert Tuesday evening."

"Yes, I was there."

"The tickets are rather high, ain\'t they?"

"I paid three dollars for mine."

"I want to go ever so much; but pa, though he is rolling in wealth, keeps me very close. How much do you think I get for my weekly allowance?"

"I couldn\'t guess."

"Only two dollars."

"But you have nothing to pay for board or clothes."

"That is true; but of course I can\'t go to hear Patti."

"Do you really want to go?"

[Pg 291]

"Of course I do. All my friends have attended."

"Then I will invite you to accompany me to-morrow evening."

"On three-dollar tickets?"

"Yes."

"You\'re a good fellow, Scott," said Loammi, ov............