_WHAT TO DO NEXT._
When Dave Fletcher became a clerk with Mr. Tolman, he knew he was taking
the place of another who might come back in three months, and back he
did come.
"Sorry, David, I haven't a place for you," said Mr. Tolman.
"Well," replied Dave, "if there isn't a place here I must find one
elsewhere."
But where? He knew that his father did not need him at home, as he had
already made plans for all needed farm-work.
"I don't want to go home and be just a burden, hanging round," reflected
Dave. "Then I must find work here."
He talked over the situation with Dick Pray.
"What would I do, Dave? Well," said Dick, putting his hands deep down
in his pockets, "I should advertise and--wait."
"I mean to advertise, but I think I had better stir round also."
"Just as well to say you want something--say it loud and strong, you
know--and then let others ask what is wanted."
Dick did like to sound a trumpet, giving as loud a blast as possible,
and then let the world run up and see what "Lord Dick" wanted.
"Oh, I shall advertise, and stir round also, though I don't just fancy
it, and I can't say what will come from it."
And what did come the first day?
Nothing.
The second day?
Nothing.
The third day?
Nothing.
"It is getting to be fearfully tiresome," said Dave the fourth day. "I
have inquired in all directions, but I can't seem to hear of anything.
Oh dear! I shall always know after this how to pity folks out of work.
Well, I suppose I must keep at it. If I stop, I shall surely get
nothing; if I keep at it, I may be successful. Here goes for Squire
Sylvester, though I don't know why I should ask him."
He mounted the steps leading to the door of Squire Sylvester's office,
and hesitatingly entered that impressive business sanctum. Squire
Sylvester was standing at his desk biting the end of a lead-pencil, and
studying the columns of figures on the paper before him.
"Squire Sylvester, do--do--you know of any vacant situation in
business?" asked Dave.
The squire looked up.
"Humph! Nothing to do?"
"Can't find it, sir."
"Well, I wish I could find somebody to work for me."
"Have you anything?" asked Dave eagerly, thinking how nice it would be
to occupy a desk in the squire's office and assist in the management of
such business enterprises as the building of ships or the sailing of
them.
"I have been trying to find somebody to cut up some wood for me and stow
it away, but I can't get hold of any unoccupied talent."
Dave's countenance dropped. It went up again, though.
"It will pay a week's board, maybe," he said to himself.
"I--I'll take that job, sir. I know how to swing an axe, and I'd rather
be doing that than go loafing about."
"Good! I thought there was some stuff in you worth having."