"Many of our most successful men began in that way," said Mr. Hamlin, fearing lest Frank"s feelings might be hurt.
"I never encourage peddlers myself," said Mr. Fairfield, pompously.
"Then I suppose it will be of no use for me to call at your door," said Frank, who, in place of being mortified, was amused by the agent"s arrogance.
"I should say not, unless your back is proof against a broomstick,"
answered Fairfield, coa.r.s.ely. "I tell my servant to treat all who call in that way."
"I won"t put her to the trouble of using it," said Frank, disgusted at the man"s ill manners.
"That"s where you are wise--yes, wise and prudent--young man."
"And now, Hamlin," said the agent, "I may as well come to business."
"To business!" repeated the farmer, rather surprised, for there was no rent due for a month.
"Yes, to business," said Fairfield. "I came to give you notice that after the next payment I shall feel obliged to raise your rent."
"Raise my rent!" exclaimed the farmer, in genuine dismay. "I am already paying a considerably higher rent than I paid to your predecessor."
"Can"t help it. Old Sampson was a slow-going old fogy. He didn"t do his duty by his employer. When I came in, I turned over a new leaf."
"I certainly got along better in his time."
"No doubt. He was a great deal too easy with you. Didn"t do his duty, sir. Wasn"t sharp enough. That"s all."
"You certainly cannot be in earnest in raising my rent, Mr. Fairfield,"
said the farmer, uneasily.
"I certainly am."
"I can"t live at all if you increase my rent, which is already larger than I can afford to pay, Mr. Fairfield."
"Then I must find a tenant who can and will," said the agent, emphatically.
"I am sure Mr. Percival can"t understand the true state of the case, or the circ.u.mstances of his tenants. Will you give me his address, and I will take the liberty of writing to him and respectfully remonstrate against any increase?"
Mr. Fairfield looked uneasy.
This appeal would not at all suit him. Yet how could he object without leading to the suspicion that he was acting in this matter wholly on his own responsibility, and not by the express orders of his princ.i.p.al? How could he refuse to furnish Mr. Percival"s address?
A middle course occurred to him.
"You may write your appeal, if you like, Hamlin," he said, "and hand it to me. I will forward it; though I don"t believe it will do any good.
The fact is that Mr. Percival has made up his mind to have more income from his property in Jackson."
CHAPTER x.x.xVII
FRANK RECEIVES A LETTER FROM MR. PERCIVAL
While Frank was waiting for an answer to a letter to Mr. Percival he devoted part of his time to the business which was supposed to be his only reason for remaining in Jackson.
I am bound to say that as regards this business his trip might be p.r.o.nounced a failure. There was little ready money in Jackson. Many of the people were tenants of Mr. Percival, and found it difficult to pay the excessive rents demanded by his agent. Of course, they had no money to spare for extras. Even if they had been better off, there was little demand for stationery in the village. The people were chiefly farmers, and did not indulge in much correspondence.
When Frank returned to his boarding place on the afternoon of the first day, Mr. Hamlin asked him, not without solicitude, with what luck he had met.
"I have sold twenty-five cents" worth of note paper," answered Frank, with a smile.
Mr. Hamlin looked troubled.
"How many places did you call at?" he inquired.
"About a dozen."
"I am afraid you will get discouraged."
"If you don"t do better, you won"t begin to pay expenses."
"That is true."
"But perhaps you may do better to-morrow."
"I hope so."
"I wish you could find something in Jackson that would induce you to remain here permanently, and make your home with us. I would charge you only the bare cost of board."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Hamlin. I should enjoy being with you, but I don"t believe I shall find any opening here. Besides, I like a more stirring life."
"No doubt--no doubt! Boys like a lively place. Well, I am glad you feel independent of your business."
"For a little time. I am afraid it wouldn"t do for me to earn so little for any length of time."
Frank enjoyed the society of d.i.c.k Hamlin. Together they went fishing and hunting, and a mutual liking sprang up between them.
"I wish you were going to stay longer, Frank," said d.i.c.k. "I shall feel very lonely when you are gone."
"We may meet again under different circ.u.mstances," said Frank. "While I am here, we will enjoy ourselves as well as we can."
So the days pa.s.sed, and at length a letter came from Mr. Percival. I append the most important pa.s.sages:
"Your report is clear, and I have perfect confidence in your statement.
Mr. Fairfield has abused my confidence and oppressed my tenants, and I shall dismiss him. I am glad you have found in Jackson a man who is capable of succeeding him. Solely upon your recommendation, I shall appoint Mr. Hamlin my resident agent and representative for the term of six months. Should he acquit himself to my satisfaction, he will be continued in the position. I am prepared to offer him one hundred dollars a month, if that will content him.
"Upon receipt of this letter, and the accompanying legal authority, you may call upon Mr. Fairfield and require him to transfer his office, and the papers and accounts connected with it, to Mr. Hamlin. I inclose a check for three hundred dollars, payable to your order, which you may make payable to him, in lieu of three months" notice, provided he immediately surrenders his office. Should he not, I shall dismiss him summarily, and proceed against him for the moneys he has misappropriated to his own use, and you may so inform him."