“This is one of the oldest towns in New Jersey,” remarked Andy, as they walked around the depots and down Broad Street, the main thoroughfare. “Down along the water front is one of the largest sewing machine factories in the world. I was through it once and I can tell you it was a sight well worth seeing.”
Just before twelve o’clock they stopped in a restaurant not far from the blacksmith shop, and had dinner. By the time this was over Billy’s shoe had been readjusted, and once more they were off.
It was easy driving along the smooth country road, and after passing through Cranford, Westfield and several smaller places, they struck out for Plainfield, which Andy declared was to be their first regular stopping place.
“It is a fair-sized city,” he said. “And if we can strike the right stand we ought to do well there for several days or a week.”
“I hope we do well,” returned Matt. “We need a good start, for as yet our ready funds are rather low.”
“You will have your first chance to do a bit of 99 regular auctioneering,” smiled Andy. “I trust you are not nervous over the prospects.”
“Never mind if I am,” returned Matt bravely. “I am going to do my best. If I get nervous I’ll get over it just as quickly as I can.”
Some time before sundown they entered Plainfield; half an hour later they found a suitable stopping place, and then Andy went off to secure some stand where they might do business.
He came back in an hour and stated that he had secured an empty store, which would be much better than selling from the wagon.
“The store will only cost us a dollar a day as long as we use it, and we ought to be able to make that much more out of it,” he said.