he had intended quarreling with Hiram and getting rid of him at
this time, for he had the young fellow's wages figured up to t
hat very hour--and twenty cents deducted for the two hours Hiram
had had "off."

"But that isn't fair. I'm willing to work to the end of the day.
I ought to get my wages in full for the week, save for the twenty
cents," said Hiram mildly.

To tell the truth, now that he had lost his job--unpleasant as it
had been--Hiram was more than a little troubled. He was indeed
about to be cast adrift.

"You'll git jest that sum, and not a cent more," declared
Mr. Dwight, sharply. "And if you start any trouble here I'll
call in the officer on the beat--yes, I will! I don't know but I
ought to deduct the cost of Dan, Junior's, spoiled suit, too. He
says you an' he was skylarkin' on Sunday and that's how he fell
into the water."

Hiram had no answer to make to this. What was the use? He took
the money, slipped it into his pocket, and went out.

He did not linger around the Emporium. Nor was he scarcely out
of sight when a man driving a span of handsome bay horses halted
his team before the store, jumped out, and went in.

"Are you the proprietor of Dwight's Emporium ?" asked the man in
the gray coat and hat, in his hearty tones. "You are? Glad to
meet you! I'm looking for a young man who works for you."