ing to see him in Albany, as expected. took a steamboat there for New York City. He arrived in the great city during the sessions of the May Anniversaries of the various churches of the country and soon found temporary employment in the publishing house of Thomas George, Jr., at No. 4 Spruce street. One of Mr. George's principal publications was called the Christian Library." consisting mostly of a reprint of standard relig ious works.

Not many days elapsed before Mr. Hildreth was taken sick, and the people at his boarding place, fearing that he had the small pox, were about to have him removed to the hospital. It was at this critical moment that Rev. J. M. Scribner, heretofore mentioned, rendered him a valuable service. Mr. Scribner had previously sold publications for Mr. George to aid in defraying his college expenses at Schenectady. He happened to be in the city. in attendance upon the anniversary sessions of his church, and naturally called upon his friend Mr. George. The sickness of Mr. Hildreth was mentioned and both gentlemen at once proceeded to the sick man's bedside. Mr. Scribner had explained to Mr. George the merits of the patient, a physician was called who pronounced the disease measles and not small pox; and the landlady. a kind-hearted Scotch woman, not only permitted the sick man to remain, but kindly nursed him. and in less than two weeks had him restored to health. While lying upon his sick bed many and many anxious thoughts passed through the mind

of young Hildreth, and many plans were contemplated for his future action. How he longed for the care of his mother, and how gladly would he exchange his city prospects for the labors upon his father's farm!

After recovery from sickness Mr. Hildreth went out to Paterson, New Jersey, where he engaged in teaching a select school. In the meantime Mr. George, the New York publisher, had been defrauded by one of his clerks, and was in need of a trusty young man. The recommendation given him of Mr. Hildreth by Mr. Scribner, led him to believe he was the man he needed. Mr. George made a second trip to Paterson before finding him. One day he appeared at the school-house door and made known to Mr. Hildreth his business, urging him to relinquish the school and engage in his employ without delay, and offering him a liberal salary. The result was that Mr. H. turned over the school to its former teacher, accepted the offer of Mr. George, and in a day or two was back in New York. On arriving there, the office boy told Mr. Hildreth that he had heard Mr. George say he was determined to have Mr. H. if he could find him, for he knew that he was honest.

CHAPTER XV.

A SEASON IN NEW YORK.

HE consent of Mr. Hildreth's parents that he

TH

should be permitted to go out into the world and seek his fortune was obtained reluctantly. Knowing but little of the intrigues and snares of the world, his departure from the parental roof was not without solicitude and anxiety both on the part of his parents and himself. His preservation from vice and crime should be attributed in some degree to the excellent moral and religious training he had received. His father exacted a promise that, during his absence, he would be constant in attendance at church, and this promise was sacredly fulfilled.

As he bade farewell to parents, brothers, sisters, friends; to the home of his childhood and the scenes of early youth, where so much of family bliss had been enjoyed; the thoughts that welled up in his mind can be better imagined than described.

Mr. Hildreth remained in the employment of Mr. George during the season of 1836 and enjoyed his fullest confidence. He was often entrusted with large sums of money, and was frequently sent

out to make collections not only in the city, but to the various cities up and down North river, out in New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island. In the fall he was sent to Vermont for the purpose of establishing agencies for the sale of his employer's publications, with the privilege of visiting his home and enjoying a winter vacation, fully expecting to return to New York in the spring. But when spring came there came with it the great financial crash of 1837, and Thomas George, Jr., his employer, went down in the general ruin! All the banks in the United States suspended payment-thousands and thousands of business men failed, and it was said that forty thousand clerks in New York City were thrown out of employment.

Mr. Hildreth arrived at the paternal home in Vermont on Thanksgiving day, just as the family were about to partake of their roast turkey and all the other luxuries of a New England Thanksgiving dinner. The joy of the family at this happy meeting could hardly be excelled. Father, mother, brothers and sisters, were all assembled once more around the festive board, and indeed this was an occasion of thankfulness.

CHAPTER XVI.

LEARNS THE PRINTER'S ART.

N the spring of 1837, finding all kinds of busi

IN

ness in an embarrassed condition, Azro once more gave attention to the work upon his father's farm. Absence from home the previous year had not been without fruitful lessons of instruction, and following the plow, swinging the scythe, and gathering in the harvests afforded him more satisfaction and pleasure than ever before.

However, books and literary pursuits were more to his taste than the quietude of a farmer's life. An opening for him was now presented in the printing and newspaper establishment of William Hewes, in his native town, which was readily accepted, where he could become master of the "art preservative of all arts," and also become familiar with the work of a journalist. After the expiration of his engagement with Mr. Hewes young Hildreth again proceeded to the city of New York and found employment on the American Family Magazine published by J. S. Redfield at No. 13 Chamber street, in connection with Bruce's type and stereotype foundry. He was subsequently employed on the "Christian Intelligencer," the