place.

"Seems he don't care for a steady place, nohow!" growled Uriah, sourly.
"Some boys don't know what's good for them!"

Ralph visited all of the stores, and even left a number of the circulars in
the post office, tying them up on a string where the people coming in for
letters might tear one off. Mr. Dunham had told him to do this and had
given him a special package for that purpose.

While he was at work the clerk in the office, Henry Bott, came out to see
what he was doing.

A little talk ensued regarding the circulars. It appeared that Mr. Hooker
did not approve of circulars about the place.

"But you leave them there," said Henry Bott, "and I won't take them down
unless he especially orders it."

Ralph was about to leave the post office when he brushed against a man who
had just come in. The man was Dock Brady.

The boy was about to say something about meeting once more, but Brady gave
him no chance. As soon as he saw he was recognized he turned on his heel
and walked away again.

"He acts mighty queer," thought the boy. "What can make him wish to avoid
me?"

Ralph wondered if he would meet Percy on the hill among the fashionable
houses. But he saw nothing of the aristocratic bully, although he even left
a circular on the Pagets' front piazza.

By noon the boy had gone through the entire town. Then, after taking lunch,
he started on foot for Hopeville, a mile away.

The road was uphill, leading directly from the lake shore. But soon Ralph
was overtaken by a man in a farm wagon. It was some one he knew fairly well
and the man asked him up on the seat.

"Thank you, Mr. Gillup, I wouldn't mind riding, as it is warm," said Ralph.

"Going to Hopeville with them bills?" asked Mr. Gillup, a farmer.

"Yes."

"Got into a new business since you left the bridge."

"For a time. It won't last long."

"It is a pity they took the bridge job from you. I jest told Ben Hooker,
the postmaster, so."

"They acted as they thought best, I presume."

"I understand Squire Paget was at the bottom of it. He appears to be very
much down on you."

"It's on account of his son Percy. He wouldn't do the right thing, and we
had a row."

"Can't tell me nuthin' about that boy! Didn't I catch him stealin' my
choicest pears last summer? If he comes around my place again, I'll fill
him full of shot, see if I don't!"

"You had better not, Mr. Gillup! The squire will have you arrested. He
won't let any one do the first