[Mattymo]

November 18, 1910

"He will see you now," said the woman at the front desk, pointing to the open door in the corner office with the name "President Hoffman" on the door.

Francis, dressed in a black suit, his hair parted down the middle, thanked her and slowly walked in.

"You Frank?" said the large man, startling Francis as he walked in.

"Uhh…yes sir, Francis actually," he responded uneasily, "I'm here to see about a job."

Mr. Hoffman laughed, "I know why you’re here," he said, sizing Francis up while puffing on a cigar, "What you know about banking?"

Francis straightened up, his heart racing and palms sweaty , "Honestly, not much sir, but I'm good with numbers, always have been."

Mr. Hoffman stood up and walked around the room, straightening a plaque on the wall, all the while his cigar hanging from his mouth. "You look awfully young," he said without turning around, "you finish school?"

"Uh, yes sir," Francis responded quietly, "I'll be 19 in March."

"Ahh," the man said, looking at him sharply, "March is when Helen was born as well. March 24 to be exact. She had nice things to say about you."

Francis didn't say a word, but avoided eye contact. He had a feeling he knew where this was going.

"You met her on the train huh?" he asked in an intimidating manner, "You know, I'm very protective of my little girl. I don't like it when I hear that she meets someone at work from out of town, out of the COUNTRY, and the next thing you know she wants me to give him a job."

"Yes uh, sir, I, uh," Francis mumbled, then exhaled and straightened his posture, "Sir, I'm just looking for a fresh start up here in Toronto. I think Helen is just a very kind person, which is why she set up this meeting. I have no intentions for her…"

Francis stopped and stood up, looking Mr. Hoffman straight in the eye. "I'm sorry I wasted your time."

As he turned to walk out of the office, Mr. Hoffman let out a loud laugh.

"Sit down kid," he said, motioning to his chair.

Confused, Francis sat down.

"You seem like a good kid. Here's what I'm gonna do, I'm gonna have you work in the mailroom ok? I'm assuming you can read. It's going to be up to you to learn about banking on your own ok?"

Francis nodded, hiding his excitement.

"You show good work ethic, I'll talk to you in 6 months. We'll see how you're doing, and maybe we'll have something else for you. Alright?"

Francis stood up and held out his hand, smiling wide. "Thank you sir," he exclaimed.

"Oh get out of here kid," Mr. Hoffman said as he waved him to the door, refusing to shake his hand. "Welcome to the Bank of Toronto, Frank."

Nodding and putting his hat back on, Francis turned and walked towards the door.

"Oh, and I'm fine if you're friends with Helen. But I don't want you coming over for dinner or anything like that. You start courting her, you find another job, got it?"

"Yes sir," he answered as he walked out the door.