Part 23 (1/2)
He hurried back to the store where sporting goods were sold. As he entered he saw Dock Brady at the back counter.
Brady was busy buying some powder, and did not at first see him. But on turning he nodded pleasantly.
”I wonder what he wants with powder?” thought Ralph. ”I did not know surveyors used it.”
But then it crossed his mind that perhaps the man used it for firearms when surveying in wild parts of the country, and he did not give the matter a second thought. He waited until Dock Brady had paid for his purchase and left, and then told the storekeeper of his decision.
”All right, Nelson,” said Mr. Dunham. ”You can go to work at seven o'clock to-morrow morning. Let me see, you live in Westville, don't you?”
”Yes, sir.”
”Some of the circulars are to go there, and also back to Hopeville.
Supposing you take them with you now, and start out distributing them from your home, instead of coming here? It will save time.”
To this Ralph readily agreed, and, after some few instructions concerning the work to be done, quitted the store with a big package of the circulars under his arm.
Although he had struck no regular employment, he was not as disappointed as he might have been. There was a week's work to do, and then the peddling to try, and that was something.
”I knew it would be difficult to obtain an opening,” said Mrs. Nelson, on hearing his story. ”Times are hard, and you can be thankful that you have even a little.”
”I am thankful, mother,” replied Ralph.
”In distributing the circulars you may be able to hear of some opening,”
she went on. ”Although you must not waste Mr. Dunham's time in hunting it up.”
”If I waste any time I will make it up to him. I believe in working on the square, no matter what I do,” rejoined Ralph, flatly.
”That is right, my son; treat every person with whom you have dealings honestly, and you are bound to succeed in life.”
During the evening Ralph told his mother of Percy Paget's mishap at the dock. She shook her head sadly.
”He is a headstrong boy, and I am sorry he comes so often in your path,”
she said. ”He will be more down on you now than ever.”
”I shall watch out for him,” returned Ralph. ”He shall not cause me more trouble, if I can help it.”
CHAPTER XVII.
A MIDNIGHT CRIME.
On the following morning, bright and early, Ralph started out to distribute Mr. Dunham's circulars. He carried the bulk of them in a canvas bag over his shoulder, and took his lunch with him, in case he was not near home during the noon hour.
After leaving a circular at each of a dozen cottages, he came to the stores.
”Hallo, in a new business, eh?” remarked Uriah d.i.c.ks as he placed one of the bills on the latter's front counter.
”Yes, sir.”