Bound to be an Electrician/Chapter 25
CHAPTER XXV.
AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION.
From the brief words which had passed between Montague Smith and Captain Cosgrove, the young electrician became satisfied that much of the doings of the two men had never been made public, and, moreover, would not reflect to their credit should those doings be exposed.
"They are deep ones," thought Franklin, as he watched them enter the cabin of the Sunflower. "Evidently Captain Cosgrove knows all about Belden Brice, and how Smith is swindling him. I would like to hear more of their talk."
Had the case in hand been an ordinary one, the young electrician would have despised playing the eavesdropper. But with him, as with everybody else, "circumstances altered cases," and he was not long in reaching the conclusion that he must hear the continuation of the conversation.
As has been mentioned, the Sunflower lay close beside the dock, and in less than a minute after, the two men had disappeared, Franklin was on board. Looking around to see that he was not observed, he tiptoed his way towards the cabin.
As the day was warm, every window as well as the doors were open, and it was not long before the young electrician was in a position to overhear all that was said.
"You say you will take the Goodrich line up to Milwaukee to-morrow?" questioned Captain Cosgrove, as he opened a box of cigars and passed them to Montague Smith.
"To-morrow or next day. It depends somewhat on how matters go at the works."
"Is business good?"
"Oh, yes, but then—" and the part owner of the battery works paused.
"Got to look out that you don't pay out too much in royalties, eh? laughed Captain Cosgrove.
"A fellow wants to make something," grumbled Montague Smith. "I am not going to work for nothing."
"How about this new invention?"
"Oh, if that works, I'm going to let Belden Brice and his patents drop."
"Then the new ideas are so much better?"
"Some better. The main thing is, they won't cost me anything."
"I see. By jove, you and your brother are lucky dogs!" cried the captain as he blew a wreath of smoke in the air. "I wish I could make money as fast as you do."
"Perhaps I'll give you a chance of making a little pile one of these days," returned Montague Smith, thoughtfully.
"What doing?"
"I'll tell you—when the time comes. Now I'll look at those papers, if you please."
Captain Cosgrove at once arose, and going to a chest of drawers in a corner of the cabin, brought forth several documents, which he spread out on the cabin table. The two drew up their chairs, and for five minutes bent over the papers intently.
"That seems to be all right," said Montague Smith. "I'll sign at once."
Pen and ink were produced, and he wrote down his signature twice. Then he arose and Captain Cosgrove put the papers away.
Seeing that the pair were about to come on deck again, Franklin made haste to get out of sight. There was a mass of freight on the forward deck, and he hurried behind this, just as the pair once more emerged into daylight.
From his new place of concealment Franklin saw the captain and the part owner of the battery works leave the Sunfiower and stroll down the street in the direction of the factory. He thought to follow, but before he could do so, two deck hands sprang aboard and confronted him.
"What is it you want?" asked one of them, in a business-like way.
For the instant Franklin knew not what to reply, but his natural quick-wittedness came to his rescue.
"Is the captain aboard?" he questioned.
"I think not," was the reply. "I'll go and see."
The deck hand ran into the cabin. Of course he found no one there, and he came back and said the captain had gone out and had not yet returned.
"Anything I can do for you?" put in the second man. "I was left in charge."
"I wanted to see if he didn't want help."
"What, to load up?"
"Yes, and on the trip, too."
"I guess not," said the sailor, and then he looked Franklin over. "You're a green one, ain't you?"
"Yes. But I can learn fast."
"Learn to get sick most likely, if we have a storm!" laughed the sailor, and his companion joined in.
"Well, maybe I could do that, too," said Franklin, joining in the laugh good naturedly. "But if I do I won't charge for it."
This made the sailors laugh more, and soon the three were on good terms all around.
"Captain Cosgrove does want another man," said he who had been left in charge of the freight boat. "Sam Point, who was on the last trip, left as soon as we reached Chicago. He was a kind of an all-round helper."
"That would just suit me—anything where I could be useful," said Franklin. "You can't say when he'll be back?"
"He'll be here between twelve and one, sure—he said so."
"Then I'll be back. I want to put on my working clothes," said Franklin. "Please tell him about me, will you?"
"Yes."
Franklin hurried ashore, and in an opposite direction to that taken by Captain Cosgrove and Montague Smith. He did not know if he had made a wise movement or not.
"If I was only positive that he did not know me," he said to himself. "I must change my appearance as much as possible."
Without delay, the young electrician boarded a street car, and went to his boarding house. Here he told Mrs. Gould that he expected to go away to remain several days, so she need not worry over his absence.
Franklin put on his oldest clothing and instead of his white shirt and neat collar and tie, donned a heavy flannel shirt. He left the house unobserved and bareheaded, and at the corner hat store purchased a regular sailor's cap, which he pulled down well over his forehead. He had not washed at all, but allowed all of the dust and dirt on his hands and face to remain where they were.
"Now I think I look some different than I did," he thought, as he surveyed himself in the hatter's pier glass. "If the captain didn't notice me too closely last week he won't remember me."
He walked down to the dock slowly, and arriving there again began to talk to the two sailors. They were somewhat surprised at the change in his appearance, but as he now looked more "natural" to them, they said nothing concerning it.
At the time the sailors had mentioned. Captain Cosgrove came back. He leaped on the deck in a hurry and looked at Franklin in surprise.
"Excuse me, but is this Captain Cosgrove?" questioned Franklin, politely, and he tipped his cap.
"That's my name," returned the owner of the Sunflower, shortly.
"I am looking for a chance to ship on a trip or two," went on Franklin. "Your men told me you might need another hand."
"Had any experience?"
"No sir, but I am willing to learn."
"We don't pay new hands much."
"I suppose not. I am willing to ship for low pay. It would be better than walking the streets doing nothing."
"That's where you are level-headed. What's your name?"
"Franklin."
"Belong in Chicago?"
"Well, I thought I would. I only arrived a few days ago."
"I see. Came in the city to try your luck and found times hard, eh?" Captain Cosgrove laughed. "I might try you."
"Thank you, sir."
"We don't allow any idling on board of the Sunflower."
"You'll find me willing to work."
"Then go forward and report to Pollock. He'll give you full instructions."
At that moment two trucks were driven down to the dock. They were from the Thermo-Galvanic Battery Works, and on the seat of the first sat Macklin, the truckman.