e. If
Abner goes there'll be jest a dozen arter his job in an hour," replied
the grocer, sarcastically.

"Perhaps there will, but you won't find me among them, Mr. Squires. I'm
willing to work and work hard, but I think a fellow deserves a living
wage. You can't get a woman to come and wash for you at less than a
dollar a day, and they talk of putting the price up a quarter. What are
the hours here?"

"I guess it don't interest you any, young feller. Seems like you be too
high-toned fur this sorter work. Might try the bank and see what Mr.
Harvey Gibbs kin offer you," and so saying Ezra slammed the door shut
behind Dick, thus bringing to a termination the interview that was not
proving very pleasant to him personally.

"Perhaps I am too high in my notions; perhaps my first job has spoiled
me for a three dollar a week position, but it does seem as though all
the chances open to me are going to come from the few men I'd hate to be
with above all others. Well, I'll make a try of it to-morrow, and if
there's nothing in sight I know where I can dig some good bait, and the
weather promises to be fine for fishing."

So talking to himself Dick set out for home, fairly well satisfied with
his beginning as a business man; it was an humble opening to be sure,
assisting a miller run his grist, but the work was interesting and the
pay had not only been good but he had made friends that might prove of
benefit to him at some future day.

CHAPTER V

MR. GRAYLOCK RECEIVES A SURPRISE

While they were eating supper that evening and Dick had told his mother
all that had happened during the day, not forgetting the contemptible
words of the close-fisted grocer, he noticed that she looked even a
shade sadder than usual.

"What has happened to make you feel badly, mother?" he asked, catching
her eyes at last.

"I did not mean to tell you until after supper, my boy, but since you
have been so observing I suppose I must do it now," she replied, turning
a bit red.

"Then I was right, and something has upset you. Have you had a letter?"

She nodded her head in the affirmative.

"From the lawyer you engaged to look up that company?"

"Yes, from Mr. Brief. He writes that so far as he can see just at
present there is no prospect for the company resuming the paying of
dividends. He says that it is a dull time in the manufacturing business,
and it may be months, perhaps a year or so before things come around
again," she replie