FRANK'S IDEA.
"That's what I call luck!" thought Richard, as he hurried back to the
Massanets' home. "I'm mighty glad I called on Mr. Martin. He seems to
be a gentleman and will no doubt do what is right. I hope Frank has
been equally fortunate."
Mrs. Massanet was surprised to see him returning so soon.
"What ees eet?" she asked, anxiously. "I hope you no deesheartened
a'ready?"
"No, indeed!" returned the boy; and he told her of his good fortune.
"Zat ees nice!" exclaimed the Frenchwoman. "I hope you gits zee place
widout trouble."
And then she gave a little sigh as she thought of her son's uncertain
search.
"Maybe Frank will be as lucky," said Richard, who fancied he could
read her thoughts.
"I sincerely hope so," returned Mrs. Massanet.
Not having anything special to do for the rest of the day, Richard sat
down and wrote a long letter home. He intended not to send it until
the following day, when he could add a postscript that the new place
was positively his.
Five weeks in the great metropolis had worked wonders in the boy. He
no longer looked or felt "green," and he was fast acquiring a business
way that was bound, sooner or later, to be highly beneficial to him.
In these five weeks he had received several letters from friends and
not a few from home, the most important news in all of them being the
announcement of his sister Grace's engagement to Charley Wood, and
baby Madge's first efforts to master her A B C's.
"I wish I could afford to bring them all to New York," had been
Richard's thought. "Or else near enough so that I could go home to
them every night. It would be so pleasant to have them around me.
Perhaps some day I can afford to get a little cottage right near the
city, which would be nicest of all; for I am sure mother would like
to have a garden, even if it was a small one."
His letter for home finished, Richard spent an hour or more in the
preparation of an advertisement which he intended to insert in one of
the army journals on the following week. The advertisement gave his
father's full name, company, regiment and so forth, and asked for the
address of any one who had known him during the war, with promise of
reward for information.
By the above it is easy to see that Richard was now in earnest about
getting his father's pension money. Not only was he satisfied that
they were entitled to it, but just now when his mother and sisters
were struggling in Mossvale to make both ends meet, it was actually
needed.
During the time that he had been working Richard had sent home every
cent that he could spare. To be sure, the total amount had not been
large--only a few dollars--but in the country this went a long way,
and for it, as well as for the fact that it showed the son and brother's
willingness to help, those at home were extremely grateful.
It was dinner-time when Richard had finished writing out the
advertisement. Mrs. Massanet had prepared only a lunch, reserving a
regular meal for the evening.
After he had eaten the time hung heavy upon Richard's hands. He put
on his hat and sauntered down the street, and finally concluded to pay
a visit to his friends at the Watch Below. He had not seen Doc Linyard
since that visit to Frying Pan Court, and he was curious to know how
Tom Clover was, and if the property in England had been heard from
further.
It being the middle of the afternoon, trade at the small restaurant
was slack, and Richard found both the old sailor and his wife glad to
see him.
"Tom's mendin' fast," was the old sailor's reply to Richard's question
concerning the sick man. "We are goin' to bring him down here to-morrow
or the day after. He's in his bearings again--right mind, you know--and
I think as how the worst is over."
"And where is Pep?"
"Pep's to school; I sent him last week. He's got to have an eddication,
no two ways on it. Betty's goin' to manage it with Tom when he is
well."
"I am glad to hear that. And how about your property?"
"Oh, it's safe. Last week I run afoul of an old lawyer friend of
mine--saved his life onct in a blow off Cape Hatteras--and he's taken
it in tow. He's written to the lawyers on the tudder side and we're to
fix it up just as soon as Tom's strong enough to sign articles." "Goods
enough," said Richard, heartily.
During the course of the conversation which followed he told Doc Linyard
of his hopes of finding some one who had known his father during the
war.
"Tom is an old soldier!" exclaimed Doc. "He took to the army and I
took to the navy."
"Is that so? What regiment was he in?"
"I don't know. He was in Boston at the time, and was drafted from
there."
"My father went from here. But he might be able to put me on some sort
of a track," added Richard, who was unwilling to let even the smallest
chance escape him.
"I'll ask him about it when he's strong enough. How much would the
pension money amount to?"
"Not less than a thousand dollars--perhaps twice that."
"Phew! It's worth workin' for."
"Yes, indeed!" put in Mrs. Linyard. "I hope you get it, Mr. Dare; you
deserve it."
When Richard returned to his boarding-place he met Frank Massanet at
the door. He could see by his friend's face that he had not met with
success.
"I tried twenty-six places," reported Frank. "Every one had all the
help needed. One man offered to put me on the road, selling goods on
commission, but I was to pay my own expenses. The offer didn't appear
good and I declined it. How did you make out?"
Richard told him. Of course Frank was surprised.
"It wasn't luck though," he said, "it was sticking to the principle
you started out on. I trust it is a sure thing. It will give you an
insight into the retail trade, so that you may start for yourself some
day. I would start in for myself to-morrow, if I had the capital."
"Do you understand the retail business?" asked Richard, with much
interest.
"Pretty well. Last year and around the holidays I tended during the
evenings for a firm on Fourteenth Street, and I had a good chance to
learn all the ins and outs. Besides, I was in the business when I went
to school--carrying papers and parcels between school-hours."
"How much would you need to start?"
"I've got six hundred dollars saved. If I had twice that I wouldn't be
afraid to hire a store and try it."
"Can't you raise the other?"
"I haven't tried yet. I would rather use my own money--or take a
partner, if I could find the right fellow."
"I'd like to go in with you," said Richard. "I think we would get along
first-rate together."
"I know we would," cried Frank, enthusiastically. "Can't you raise the
money?"
"I don't think I can. I'll think of it though."