ll have a talk with mother about this," he mused.

When Ralph reached home a surprise greeted him. The little parlor was
lighted up, indicating a visitor. He glanced in through the open
windows.

The visitor was Zeph Dallas, the farmer boy.

CHAPTER V

ON SPECIAL DUTY

Ralph entered the house glad of an opportunity to interview the farmer
boy, who had been in his thoughts considerably during the day.

"Mr. Dallas, this is my son, Ralph," said Mrs. Fairbanks, as the young
fireman came into the parlor.

The visitor arose from his chair in an awkward, embarrassed fashion.
He flushed and stammered as he grasped Ralph's extended hand.

"Brought you a sack of potatoes and some apples," he said. "Neighbor
gave me a lift in his wagon."

"Is that so?" returned Ralph with a friendly smile. "Well, Mr. Dallas,
I am very glad to see you."

"Gladder than you were last time, I reckon," said Zeph. "Say, I--I
want to say I am ashamed of myself, and I want to thank you for all
you did for me. It's made me your friend for life, so I came to ask a
favor of you."

This was rather a queer way of putting the case, thought Ralph, and
the fellow blundered on.

"You see, Mr. Ames, that's the man who hired me, found out about my
doings down here at Stanley Junction, and he has set me adrift."

"That is too bad," observed Ralph.

"No, it ain't, for I deserve better work," dissented Zeph. "They say
you're dreadfully smart and everybody's friend, and I want you to help
me get where I want to get."

"All right, I am willing to try to assist you."

"I don't know exactly which I had better do," proceeded Zeph--"become
a chief of police or a railroad conductor. Of course, the man who
speaks quickest and will pay the most money gets me."

Ralph concealed a smile, for Zeph was entirely in earnest.

"Well, you see," remarked the young fireman, "it is somewhat difficult
to get just the position you want without some experience."

"Oh, that's all right," declared the farmer boy confidently. "I've
thought it all out. I once watched a conductor go through a train.
Why, it's no work at all. I could do it easily. And as to being a
detective I've read lots of books on the subject, and I've even got
some disguises I made up, in my satchel here."

"Oh, brought your satchel, too, did you?" observed Ralph.

"Why, yes, I thought maybe you'd house me for a day or two till I
closed a contract with somebody."

The fellow was so simple