“He is ready to begin as cash-boy.”

“Then we can oblige you, as one of our boys has fallen sick, and we have not supplied his place.  I’ll speak to Mr. Gilbert.”

He went up to Mr. Gilbert, a portly man in the back part of the store.  Mr. Gilbert seemed to be asking two or three questions.  Frank waited the result in suspense, dreading another disappointment, but this time he was fortunate.

“The boy can stay,” reported Duncan.  “His wages are three dollars a week.”

It was not much, but Frank was well pleased to feel that at last he had a place in the city.

He wrote a letter to Grace in the evening, announcing his success, and expressing the hope that he would soon be able to send for her.

CHAPTER VII

THE CASH BOY HAS AN ADVENTURE

Four weeks passed.  The duties of a cash-boy are simple enough, and Frank had no difficulty in discharging them satisfactorily.  At first he found it tiresome, being on his feet all day, for the cash-boys were not allowed to sit down, but he got used to this, being young and strong.

All this was very satisfactory, but one thing gave Frank uneasiness.  His income was very inadequate to his wants.

“What makes you so glum, Frank?” asked Jasper Wheelock one evening.

“Do I look glum?” said Frank.  “I was only thinking how I could earn more money.  You know how little I get.  I can hardly take care of myself, much less take care of Grace.”

“I can lend you some money, Frank.  Thanks to your good advice, I have got some laid up.”

“Thank you, Jasper, but that wouldn’t help matters.  I should owe you the money, and I don’t know how I could pay you.”

“About increasing your income, I really don’t know,” said Jasper.  “I am afraid Gilbert & Mack wouldn’t raise your wages.”

“I don’t expect it.  All the rest of the cash-boys would ask the same thing.”

“True; still I know they are very well pleased with you.  Duncan told me you did more work than any of the rest of the boys.”

“I try to do all I can.”

“He said you would make a good salesman, he thought.  Of course you are too young for that yet.”

“I suppose I am.”

“Frank, I am earning fifteen dollars a week, you know, and I can get along on ten, but of the five I save let me give you two.  I shall never feel it, and by and by when you are promoted it won’t be necessary.”

“Jasper, you are a true friend,” said Frank, warmly; “but it wouldn’t be right for me to accept your kind offer, though I shan’t forget it.  You have been a good friend to me.”

“And you to me, Frank.  I’ll look out for you.  Perhaps I may hear of something for you.”

Small as Frank’s income was, he had managed to live within it.  It will be remembered that he had paid but fifty cents a week for a room.  By great economy he had made his meals cost but two dollars a week, so that out of his three dollars he saved fifty cents.  But this saving would not be sufficient to pay for his clothes.  However, he had had no occasion to buy any as yet, and his little fund altogether amounted to twenty dollars.  Of this sum he inclosed {sic} eight dollars to Mr. Pomeroy to pay for four weeks’ board for Grace.