Dick the Bank Boy | Page 7

is a question I am trying to
decide. I hate to unload. If I had another wheel and a jack here I might
get around the trouble."
"I could get them for you, sir; or if you thought best we could take a
rail from the fence here and use it to hold up the load while you crept
home. It isn't a great way off, you know," remarked Dick, quickly.
"Do you think we could fix it with a rail lashed under the axle? I've

seen it done with an empty wagon but never with a full one," exclaimed
the miller, brightening up.
"By changing a part of the load, and throwing it over on the side where
there are two sound wheels I think it could be managed, sir," replied
Dick, and there was such an air of conviction about his smiling face
that the miller seemed to be convinced even against his own judgment.
"Well, now, it might go, and I've half a mind to try it. Can you give me
a hand, Dick, or are you in a hurry?" he asked.
[Illustration: "CAN YOU GIVE ME A HAND, DICK, OR ARE YOU
IN A HURRY?" HE ASKED. Dick the Bank Boy Page 19]
"No hurry at all, sir, and only too glad to help you if I can," and in a
jiffy he had hurried to the fence, selected the stoutest rail in sight, and
was back again at the side of the man who was in trouble.
They first of all shifted the cargo as much as possible, so as to throw
the greater part of the weight on the left side of the wagon, thus
relieving the strain on the broken wheel.
Fortunately the miller had plenty of rope along under his seat, and after
they had united their strength to raise that end of the wagon by means
of other rails, the one that had been selected as a drag was securely
lashed into place.
Thus the broken wheel did not come in contact with the road, and when
the patient old horse was set in motion the vehicle shuffled along after
a fashion.
"The missus'll think I'm coming home like a whipped dog with his tail
between his legs, but it's a case of any port in a storm, and I'm glad to
get back without throwing off this whole load. I'm sure obliged to you,
Dick, for the lift you gave me, and I won't forget it either. P'raps some
day I can pay it back."
Of course that was the proper time to strike, while the iron was hot, and

Dick knew it well enough.
"Why, I was just on my way here to see you, Mr. Cartwright. I heard
that you wanted some one to assist you, and as I'm looking for work I
thought I'd apply for the job. I'm strong, and I think able to do what you
want," he hastened to say.
The miller looked at him with a smile.
"Well, now, I'd like to give you work first rate, Dick, boy; after the way
you fixed me up this morning I reckon you're a right handy sort of a
boy to have around. But you see I expect my son Toby to be well
enough in a few days to get onto his regular business again. If you
cared to tackle the work till then I'd sure be glad to have you. It's my
busy time, and I'm falling behind every day. You could be a great help
to me, only the job is apt to be a short one," he remarked.
"It might help out, Mr. Cartwright. You know my mother is in trouble
over that investment, and times are going hard with us. I mean to get to
work at once, and try to make it easier for her. I'll take the job while it
lasts, sir," and he threw off his coat with a business-like air that pleased
the old miller.
"But see here, Dick, we ain't made no terms. I paid Toby twenty a
month, and his board. Would a dollar and a quarter a day satisfy you,
son? A special job like this always commands higher wages, you
know," he inquired, eagerly, for he had been wondering how he could
keep up with his orders while shorthanded.
"It suits me first-rate, sir. Only wish it would keep right along--not that
I would like to have Toby sick you understand. And, now if you will
show me just what I'm to start on I'll get to work."
"Say, I like that kind of talk. I reckon you and me will pull together all
right, Dick. I knowed your father many years, and if so be the boy has
got some of his grit