Rush boarded a car and started for the Lincoln Iron Works, the nearest shops to where he then was.
"It is a good, patriotic name," he mused. "Surely I ought to be able to get a job there, if there is anything in a name."
Reaching the mills he learned the name of the superintendent from the gate-keeper, and thus armed went directly to the office and asked to see the superintendent. He was requested to state his business, which he did frankly. The word was soon brought back to him that no men were needed.
"May I not speak to the superintendent myself?" he asked.
"No; he has no time to give you," was the answer from the superintendent's secretary.
Rush left the office with a keen sense of disappointment. He decided to try the Republic mills next. To reach them he took a short cut over the hill, finally arriving at the Republic mills four miles away, hot and tired. There he was fortunate enough to catch the superintendent, who was pointed out to him as he entered the corridor of the offices.
Rush said he was looking for a place for himself and his companion. The superintendent looked the boy over critically, discovering at once that Rush was no ordinary laborer.
"Have you ever worked in the mills?" asked the executive.
"Yes, sir; a short time."
"Where?"