The lamps were now alight and the brightness and bustle
of the scene greatly interested him. At nine o'clock he returned
to his lodgings, but was again obliged to sally out, as he found
he had forgotten candles.
After breakfast next morning he went out and bought a newspaper,
and set himself to work to study the advertisements. He was dismayed
to find how many more applicants there were for places than places
requiring to be filled. All the persons advertising were older than
himself, and seemed to possess various accomplishments in the way
of languages; many too could be strongly recommended from their
last situation. The prospect did not look hopeful. In the first
place he had looked to see if any required boy clerks, but this
species of assistant appeared little in demand; and then, although
he hoped that it would not come to that, he ran his eye down the
columns to see if any required errand boys or lads in manufacturing
businesses. He found, however, no such advertisements. However, as
he said to himself, it could not be expected that he should find a
place waiting for him on the very day after his arrival, and that
he ought to be able to live for a year on his five and twenty
pounds; at this reflection his spirits rose and he went out again
for a walk.
Pages:
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92