Having a fair wind, Captain Rhines did not touch at Portland on his way up to Boston; but going home, he put in there, saw John, and told him what disposition he had made of his money, of which John highly approved.
The goods they had bought and brought home were put into the mill. Charlie got up his “bee,” built the fish-house and flakes, and Fred soon covered them with fish. As it took but three good days to make the fish sufficiently to put them in the house, it soon assumed the air of a business place.
Fred’s stock of goods was so much larger than before, that the store in the mill was enlarged, additional shelves put up, and many conveniences added; he also got rid of trusting anybody, as so large a portion of his goods were sold on commission. In order to render it easier to keep accounts, each one put in separate articles. Teas and tobacco belonged to Captain Rhines; hardware, iron, and nails, to John; molasses, to Charlie; and so on; the smaller articles Fred purchased himself.
Charlie made Fred a sign-board, and he took it to Wiscasset and had it lettered. Every day, often before sunrise, Fred was to be seen taking fish from the pickle and putting them on the flakes, or salting them as they came from the boats, or turning them on the flakes, every now and then running to the store to wait on some customer.
The good minister recognized the hand of Providence in the affliction which resulted in a new suit from top to toe; yet it may well be doubted whether he ever again became so fascinated with the study of natural history as to pursue it in a goose pen, or to take for his subject a wild gander.
CHAPTER VIII.
NO GIVE UP TO CHARLIE.