The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-06-27

"Ha, my young friend, so you have
found us out" he said, offering his hand.
eyes, sir"
"Come to talk on business, hope?"
"Yes, sir, that is my object in coming"
"Mr. Flint" said Mr.. Pusher, "this is
young friend whose acquaintance
made a short time since. l told him, If
ever he wanted employment, to come
here, and we would give him something
to do
Mr.. Flint, who was a slower and a
more cautious man than Mr.. Pusher, re-
garded Walter a little doubtfully.
do you mean as an agent?" ne said.
Certainly l do
''He seems very young"
That's true, but age isn't always an
advantage. He looks smart, and I'll guar
antee that he is all he looks. l claim
to be something of judge of human ma
ture, too"
mo doubt you're right" said Mr.. Flint,
who was accustomed to defer considerably
to his more impetuous partner. Whats
the young mans nameY'
my name is Walter Conrad" said our
hero.
every good. Well, Conrad" contin-
ued Mr.. Pusher, in an off-hand manner,
what are your wishes? What book do
you want to take hold Off"
"You mentioned a book the other day
Scenes in Bible Lands"
"Yes, our new book. That would be
as good as any to begin on. How's the
territory, Mr.. Flint?''
"Most of the territory nearby is taken
up" he said. docs Mr.. Conrad wish to
operate near homer
Walter
LAS far as Ohio?"
Eyes"
"In that case you could map out your
own route pretty much. We haven't got
the West portioned out as we have the
Middle and New England States"
'In other words, we can give you
kind of rowing commission, Conrad" put
in Mr.. Pusher.
THAT would suit me. sir" said Walter.
'Still it would be best not to attempt
to cover too much territory. A rolling
stone gathers no moss, you know. There
is one important question must ask you
to begin with. Have you got any money"
Eyes, sir, I have fifty dollars"
"Good. OF course, you will need money
to get out to your field Of labor, and will
have to pay your expenses till you begin
to earn something. Fifty dollars will an
swer very WELL"
'As l don't know very well how the
business is managed" said Walter, Il
must ask for instructions"
"Of course. You're green hand. Sit
down here, and I'll make it all plain to
YOU"
So Mr.. Pusher, in his brief, incisive
way, explained to Walter how he must
manage. His instructions were readily
comprehended, and Walter, as he listened,
felt eager to enter upon the adventurous
career which he had chosen.
CHAPTER XIV.
Walter, by advice of Mr.. Pusher,
bought ticket to Cleveland. There was
a resident agent in this city, and q de-
pository of books published by the firm.
AS Walter would be unable to carry with
him as large supply Of books as he
needed, he was authorized to send to the
Cleveland agency when he got out, and
the books would be sent him by express.
II will give you letter to Mr. Greene,
our agent in Cleveland" said Mr. Pusher,
field of operations"
Walter went downstairs. and emerged
into the street. He had no particular
motive for remaining in New York, and
felt eager to commence work. So he
bought through ticket to Cleveland, via
Buffalo and Niagara Falls. Though he
had not much money to spare, he deter
mined not to neglect the opportunity he
would have of seeing this great natural
wonder, but to stop over a day in order
to visit the falls.
He selected comfortable seat by a
window, and waited till the train was
ready to start. He realized that he had
engaged in quite large enterprise for a
boy of fifteen who had hitherto had all
his wants supplied by others. He was
about to 60 a thousand miles from home,
to earn his own living-in other words,
to paddle his own canoe. But he did not
feel in the least dismayed. He was am
bilious and enterprising, and he felt con-
fident that he could earn his living as well
as other boys of his age. He had never
been far from home, but felt that he
should enjoy visiting new and unfamiliar
scenes. So he felt decidedly cheerful and
hopeful as the cars whirled him out of
the depot, and he commenced his western
journey.
Walter put his strip of railway tickets
into his vest pocket, and his pocketbook,
containing the balance of his money, into
the pocket of his pantaloons. He wished
to have the tickets at hand when the con-
ductor came round. He sat alone at first,
but after while lady got in who rode
thirty miles or more, and then got out.
A little later young man passed through
the cars, looking about him on either side.
He paused at Walters seat, and inquired,
els this seat taken?"
mo, SIR" said Walter.
"Then, with your permission, will
take it." said the stranger. '.Tiresome
work travelling, isn't it
81 don't know" said Walter: II rather
like It; but then / never travelled much"
81 have to travel q great deal on bust