Part 36 (1/2)

The young oarsman now felt a trifle lighter in heart. He reasoned that the packet would be of no value to the tramp and that he would be glad to surrender it in hope of a reward. He did not remember at the time that he had written Alexander Sloc.u.m's name and address on the outside wrapper; yet such was a fact.

When Jerry entered the bindery he found several pairs of curious eyes bent upon him from boys of about his own age. Without delay Mr. Grice set our hero to work.

”What is your name?” asked one of the boys, as soon as he had a chance.

”Jerry Upton. What is yours?”

”d.i.c.k Lenning. Say, do you know you have got the job Grice was going to give my brother?”

”No, I don't.”

”It's so. Jack was coming to work to-morrow. It ain't fair to take the bread out of a fellow's mouth like that,” growled d.i.c.k Lenning.

”I fancy Mr. Islen gave me my position--” Jerry ventured.

”Oh! So it was the boss put you in. Well, it ain't fair anyway. Where do you come from--Brooklyn?”

”No, Lakeview.”

”Never heard of it. Must be some country village. You look like a hayseed.”

As d.i.c.k Lenning spoke he gazed around to see if Mr. Grice had gone. Then he added in a whisper:

”You have to set up the drinks for the crowd before you can work here, see?”

”Drinks,” repeated our hero.

”Sure; all the new hands do that.”

”I--I rather think I won't.”

”You are too mean.”

”It's not that; I don't drink.”

”You are a country jay, and no mistake.”

d.i.c.k Lenning leaned forward and shoved Jerry with his elbow, at the same time putting one foot behind the youth. He wanted to trip our hero up, but Jerry was on guard, and, resisting him, the young oarsman caused him to slip down against a bench upon which rested a pot of book-binders' glue.

The glue tipped over and part of it went down Lenning's leg, causing him to yell like a wild Indian.

CHAPTER XXIX.

MR. WAKEFIELD SMITH AGAIN.

”I'll hammer you for that!”

”What did he do, d.i.c.k?”