"I'll come for a few weeks, at that rate," he said.

"But perhaps you won't like your duties," said the hunchback, grinning in a curious manner.

"What would be my duties?"

"I should paint you red, and have you stand outside the door, as an Indian," was the answer.

Ben didn't relish the joke.

"You'd better take that position yourself," he retorted. "n.o.body'd know the difference."

"Get out!" roared the cigar dealer angrily.

Ben left at once.

"That's the third situation I've been offered," he said: "I'd give 'em all three for a decent one."

Chapter III

At Lovell's Grounds

On the way home Ben met James Watson.

"How are you, James?" he said. "What have you been doing this morning?"

James gaped.

"The fact is," he said, "I have only just got up and had my breakfast."

"I don't see how you can lie abed so late."

"Oh, I can do it just as easy. I guess I was born sleepy."

"You look so," retorted Bed, with a laugh.

"What have you been doing?" inquired James lazily.

"I've been about in search of a place."

"You have!" said James, with sudden interest. "Did you find any?"

"Yes, I found three."

"What!" exclaimed James, in surprise.

"I was offered three places."

"Which did you take?"

"I didn't take any; I didn't like them."

"You are too particular, Ben. Just tell me where they are; I'll accept one."

"All right!" said Ben. "I'll give you all the information you require.

The first is a dry-goods store."

"I'd like to be in a dry-goods store. What's the pay?"

"Fifty cents a week for the first year."

"Faugh!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed James, disgusted. "What's the second place?"

"Experiment clerk at the druggist's."

"Good pay?"

"I don't know."

"What are the duties?"

"To taste all the medicines, to make sure there's no poison in them.

The druggist offered me a pill, to begin with, about as large as my head."

"I wouldn't take it for a hundred dollars a week. What's the third?"

"In a cigar store. The pay is three dollars a week."

"That's better than nothing. Where is it? I guess I'll take it."

"I don't think you'll like the duties," said Ben, laughing.

"I wouldn't mind selling cigars."

"That isn't what you're wanted for. You are to be painted red, and stand outside as an Indian."

"That's the worst yet. I don't wonder you didn't take any of those chances. What are you going to do this afternoon?"

"Try and find some more places."

"Leave that till tomorrow. You know there's going to be a big picnic at Lovell's Grounds, with all sorts of athletic sports. There are prizes for wrestling, jumping, and so on."

"I would like it well enough, but I can't afford to go."

"There'll be nothing to pay. Father subscribed for two tickets, so I've got a spare one. Come, will you go?"