The advertisements were sent out the following day, through an advertising agent, and all waited for over two weeks for some reply, but none came.
“It's no use,” said Joe, and it must be admitted that he was much downcast.
In the meantime he had seen Andrew Mallison and the hotel man said he would willingly hire him for the summer as soon as the season opened, and also give Frank Randolph a situation.
“You had better be my guest until that time,” said Ned to our hero, when he heard of this.
“Thank you, Ned, but I don't wish to remain idle so long.”
The very next mail after this talk brought news for our hero. A letter came from Maurice Vane, asking him if he wished to go to Montana.
“I am now certain that that mine is valuable,” wrote the gentleman. “I am going to start West next Monday. If you wish to go with me I will pay your fare and allow you a salary of ten dollars per week to start on. I think later on, I will have a good opening for you.”
“That settles it, I am going West!” cried Joe, as he showed the letter to his chum.
“Well, I don't blame you,” was the reply. “I know just how nice it is out there. You'll be sure to get along.”
Before going to bed Joe wired his acceptance of the offer, and in the morning received a telegram from Maurice Vane, asking him to go to Chicago, to the Palmer House.