Part 44 (1/2)
With this letter was a letter to Mr. Fairfield, of the same purport, and a paper appointing Mr. Hamlin agent.
When this letter was received, Frank was overjoyed, knowing how much pleasure he was about to give his new friends.
With this appointment and salary, Mr. Hamlin would consider himself a rich man, and d.i.c.k's hope for a liberal education might be realized.
The letter came just before supper, and, at the close of the evening meal, Frank determined to inform his friends of their good fortune.
”Mr. Hamlin,” said he, ”I have some good news for you.”
”Indeed!” said the farmer, surprised.
”Your rent will not be increased.”
”But how do you know this! Has Mr. Fairfield told you so?”
”No,” answered Frank. ”I have a question to ask. Would you be willing to take Mr. Fairfield's place at a hundred dollars a month?”
”Willing? I should be delighted to do so. But why do you say this?”
”Because,” answered Frank, quietly, ”I am authorized to offer it to you at that salary.”
The whole family looked at Frank in bewildered surprise. It occurred to them that he might have become crazy.
”You!” exclaimed the farmer. ”What can you have to do with the agency?”
Frank explained to a very happy family group and then he and Mr. Hamlin set out for the house of the agent.
CHAPTER x.x.xVIII
THE AGENT IS NOTIFIED
It was still early in the evening when Frank and Mr. Hamlin reached the house of the agent. Had they come five minutes later, they would have found him absent. Usually, soon after supper, he made his way to the tavern, where he spent his time and money in a very unprofitable way.
The agent was surprised when his two visitors made their appearance.
”What brings you here, Hamlin?” he asked, with scant ceremony.
”I come on a little matter of business,” answered Mr. Hamlin, gravely.
Mr. Fairfield concluded that the farmer had come to make an appeal to have his rent continued at the old rates, and answered, impatiently:
”I don't think it will be of much use. My mind is made up. Have you come on business, also?” he asked, turning to Frank, with a sneer.
”Yes, sir,” answered our hero, quietly.
”That will be of no use, either,” said the agent. ”I am not in want of stationery, and, if I were, I should not buy of a peddler.”
”I have not come here to sell stationery, Mr. Fairfield,” said Frank.