“That’s a different matter. Have you an extra claim?”
“Yes; but that isn’t what I offer him. I have a plan in which he can help me.”
“What is it?”
“All our supplies come from Sacramento. What we need is a retail store in Oreville—a general store for the sale of almost everything that miners need.”
“It would be a good plan to open one,” said Luke approvingly.
“Now, you must know that I am an old storekeeper. I had for years a store about twenty miles from Boston. I succeeded fairly with it, but my health gave out. The doctor told me I must not be so confined—that I needed out-of-door exercise. So I came out here and got it. Well, the advice proved good. I am strong and robust, and I feel enterprising. Now, what I propose is this: ‘I will open a store, and put the boy in charge under me.’”
“I should like it,” said Ernest eagerly.
“You know what we pay for supplies. There’s at least a hundred per cent. made, and no one objects to the prices. Why shouldn’t we make it as well as the Sacramento storekeepers?”
“True!” said Luke.
“I don’t ask you to work for me, my friend, for I don’t think it would suit you.”