"No; I have never travelled before. All my life has been spent at Scranton."
"Take a walk with me along Ocean Avenue, and I will see what chance there is of my obtaining employment."
Harry Bertram made his way to the principal hotel, where he knew there was a Western Union office. He told Jed to sit down in the reading-room while he sought for information.
In ten minutes he came back with a smile of satisfaction on his face.
"I am in great luck," he said. "The operator here has just been summoned home by the serious illness of his father in Chicago. He was considering whom he could get to take his place when I presented myself. The result is that I am engaged to take charge of the telegraph office at twelve dollars a week and my board."
"Then you are provided for."
"Yes. I can get through the summer very well."
"I should think so. You will have the twelve dollars a week clear."
"No; I must get a room outside. However, my predecessor has recommended his—in a private house about a quarter of a mile from the shore—at only four dollars a week."
"Then I suppose we must part," said Jed with a tinge of sadness.