“All right, I’ll take ’em.”

“Thank you, Mr. Perkins. If you’ll come with me I’ll get you two copies that have never been handled.”

“Yes, I want brand-new ones—in case I give ’em to my nephew. But maybe I’ll keep ’em,” concluded the countryman.


CHAPTER XII
A BRIGHT BEGINNING

When Frank entered Mr. Vincent’s store and said he wanted a new copy of each of the three-dollar books, the clerk who filled the order was very much surprised.

“Didn’t you get your case?” he asked.

“Yes. The two books are sold, and I want to deliver them.”

“Good for you. You haven’t wasted any time, I see.”

Joel Perkins looked the two books over and then Frank had them wrapped up. With something like a sigh the countryman paid over the six dollars.