I mean to try and get work in Mr. Graylock's store. It's a busy
place, and he might give me a chance. He's a deacon in the church, and
I've often heard him tell how all of us ought to heap coals of fire on
our enemy's head by doing him a good turn. I'm going to put him to the
test, mother. Perhaps he may turn out better than we think, who knows?"

"I hope so, dear. I like to think the best of all men; but Mr. Graylock
is most unreasonable when angered."

After supper Dick insisted upon his mother sitting down to rest while he
washed the few dishes; it was a regular employment with him; not that he
liked the job, but it gave him satisfaction to know that he was
relieving her from some of the drudgery of the housework.

Later on he busied himself in looking over a lot of fishlines and hooks,
since he was bent upon carrying out his scheme for business in case
nothing better came up on the morrow.

No one knew better than Dick where the fish lay, and his success in
securing a string of the finny beauties had long been the envy of his
mates; he had always loved to study the habits of the bass and other
denizens of the little river that gave the pretty town its name; and it
was really this knowledge that brought about his reward when others went
home almost empty-handed.

He lay awake a long time that night, looking out of his window at the
bright star that had for many a year peeped in through the window of his
little room, and in some way cheered him by its twinkling; he laid many
plans for the immediate future, and somehow just the thought of the
smile upon the careworn face of his little mother seemed an inspiration,
urging him to greater efforts.

Thus he pictured the day when he would be successful in business, and
when want would no longer confront them at the door; when he could
surround this dear one with all the comforts and perhaps some of the
luxuries that other women delighted in, and with such noble ambitions
soothing him Dick finally fell asleep.

CHAPTER III

DICK'S FIRST WAGES

Immediately after breakfast on the following morning Dick started out
upon his search for employment.

He did not know how far he might have to tramp in scouring the
surrounding country, and so asked his mother to let him put him up a
"snack" which would help to tide him over the noon hour, if he happened
to be at a distance from home.

As he turned and looking back waved his hand to her just as he had
always don