Page:Bound to be an Electrician.djvu/202

184 "I am not afraid of being hurt."

"Well, give me the dollar, anyway, will you? I am a poor man, and being out of work comes hard."

"If you'll promise not to drink the money up I'll let you have the amount," said Franklin, who thought this a cheap way of avoiding trouble in the future.

"All right. I'll promise."

Upon this the young electrician produced a dollar bill, and handed it over. Hank Bitters snatched it eagerly, and then without another word left the premises and hurried up the street.

"It was a cheap way of getting clear of him," thought Franklin, as he watched the man out of sight. "Poor fellow, in one way I feel sorry for him!"

Franklin was soon on his way to the factory where he loaded up under the direction of the shipping clerk. The work was hard, but Franklin was strong for his age, and accomplished all that he was called upon to do. He made three trips to different freight depots, and kept careful tally of what both he and Macklin took out.

This work continued for two days longer. During the time Frankhn was in and out of the factory constantly, and without appearing to do so he took an account of the number of batteries on hand and learned the number that were