and then he explained that he
had been on the lake instead of over to Eastport.

"And I've earned two dollars by the operation," he added.

"I am thankful you escaped injury by the storm," she shuddered. "It must
have been fearful out on the water."

"It was pretty rough, I admit," he said. "But it is over now, and no harm
done."

"You had better change your clothes before you sit down to eat."

"I will," said Ralph, and went upstairs for that purpose.

When he came down again he found the evening meal on the table, and, being
hungry, he ate his full share.

Mother and son spent a quiet evening at home, and retired early. In the
morning Ralph was up before sunrise, putting things in order around the
house.

By eight o'clock he was on his way to Eastport. As he was crossing the
bridge, Dan Pickley stopped him.

"Ain't you got an extra key to the bridge lock?" he asked. "I want one for
myself and one for Andy Wilson, who is going to help me."

"There is but one key," returned Ralph. "I always left that in a safe place
in the office, and whoever was here used it."

"Then you ain't got a duplicate?"

"No, I tell you."

"Oh, all right," responded Dan Pickley, and he pursed his lips. He was
about to say more, but suddenly changed his mind.

Somewhat perplexed by Pickley's strange manner, the boy continued on his
way, and a few minutes later found himself in the thriving town for which
he had been bound.

Ralph had no definite place in view. But he knew that the best thing to do
was to seek employment systematically. He resolved to walk to the extreme
end of the town and apply at every store and factory that presented itself.

"Then, if there is any vacancy at all, I am bound to locate it," he said to
himself.

His first visit was paid to a large shoe factory, located directly by the
lakeside.

"I am looking for a place," he began to the foreman, when that individual
waved him away and pointed to a sign over the door, which the boy had not
seen, and which read:

"_No More Hands Wanted._"

"Excuse me, but I did not see the sign," said Ralph, politely, and walked
off.

After this came another shoe factory, at which the boy fared no better;
indeed, he fared worse, for the foreman, a burly Irishman, ordered him out
very rudely.

"They don't believe in being very civil," thought Ralph. "However, one must
expect some hard knocks in this world."

At a planing-mill the boy fell in with a young man whom