"They don't believe in being very civil," thought Ralph. "However, one must expect some hard knocks in this world."
At a planing-mill the boy fell in with a young man whom he knew quite well. The young man's name was Harry Ford, and he treated Ralph kindly.
"Very sorry, Ralph, but there is no opening," he said. "Only last week we discharged two young fellows because we could not keep them going. Orders are rather slack."
"Then there is nothing at all open?"
Harry Ford shook his head.
"I'll ask the boss if he'll take you on, but I am certain it will do no good."
The owner of the mill came in just then, and he was appealed to. He at once said he could not possibly take on a new hand.
"If an opening occurs I'll keep you in mind," said Harry Ford, and with this promise Ralph had to be content.
After leaving the planing-mill, the boy came to several stores. At the first and second no help of any kind was needed. At the third they wanted a boy to distribute circulars.
"The job will last for a week," said the storekeeper, "for I want the circulars distributed in every place in Eastport, Westville, and all the summer boarding-houses and hotels in the neighborhood."