This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
180
BOUND TO BE AN ELECTRICIAN

three games of dominoes, Franklin winning one, and then it was time to retire.

Before he went to bed, however, Franklin wrote a letter to Belden Brice, in which he told how he had secured work with the H. Y. Smith Co., and mentioned the boxes which had been taken to the freight boat. He did not mention having met a relative of Wilbur Bliss.

Franklin was on hand bright and early on the following morning, and presented himself at the office of the Thermo-Galvanic Battery Co. long before either of the partners put in an appearance. The only one in charge was a sleepy-looking clerk, who ordered him to sit dovm and wait.

Franklin did as requested, and almost an hour later Montague Smith put in his appearance. He was more loudly-dressed thanever, and in his cravat sparkled an immense diamond.

"Oh, yes, I told you to come around to the office this morning, I believe," he said, carelessly. "How did you make out on the truck yesterday?"

"All right, sir," returned the young electrician, and he related a few particulars.

"Well, you may keep on the truck for the balance of the week, and then we will see what turns up," said Montague Smith, as he sat down in an easy chair and took up a morning paper, and considering that he was dismissed, Franklin thanked him and left the office.