the place and out, if you can only
employ me steadily."

"I know that, Ralph. But the truth of the matter is, my brother has asked
me to take his son in, just for his board and clothing, and I have
consented. I couldn't do less."

"I suppose not, sir."

"If there is an opening, I will let you know. I like you, and I am well
satisfied with the way in which you are putting out the hand-bills."

"You do not know of anybody that needs help?"

The storekeeper thought a moment.

"I do not," he said.

Ralph then told him of the offer he had had to sell novelties on the road
to stationery dealers.

"I would not advise you to go into that, Ralph. It is only those who have
had considerable experience in the line that make even a fair living by it.
The likelihood is that you would make little or nothing for a month or two,
perhaps the first year. Get a regular job if you can, at certain wages."

"That is my idea, sir. I must do something."

"I am sorry I cannot help you at present."

In a few minutes more Ralph was on his way to Glen Arbor, as a fishing
resort a mile above Eastport was called. He was to put in half a day there,
and the balance of the time around Eastport itself. That done, the entire
territory for five miles about Mr. Dunham's store would be billed.

Ralph set out in a very thoughtful frame of mind. He was wondering what the
following week would bring forth. Would he strike other work, or be forced
to remain idle?

Ralph knew a number of fishermen at Glen Arbor, who let out boats to the
summer tourists, and while he was among them he met one, Bill Franchard,
who gave him some information that was a delightful surprise.

"Hallo, Ralph Nelson," sang out Franchard, on seeing him. "What brings you
here?"

"I'm distributing circulars, Bill," returned the boy. "How is the boating
season?"

"Very good just now; better than I expected."

"You haven't got an opening for me?" asked Ralph, quickly.

"Why, ain't you working?"

"This job ends to-day."

"Well, I dunno." Franchard scratched his head. "I do need somebody most
every day for the _Minnie_. I take out the _Ariel_, and Bob the
_Washington_, and very often I can't let the _Minnie_ go out--not when they
want a skipper for the sloop."

"I would like the job," replied Ralph, promptly.

"Tell you what I'll do, Ralph. I'll give you a dollar and a half a day for
your services every day I can use you, and that will be at least four or
five days a