At length there was a noise down the road, and a minute later a horse attached to a light business wagon dashed by, driven by a gentleman slightly past middle age.
Franklin instantly recognized the gentleman as Thomas A. Edison, the world-renowned inventor of electrical appliances.
The wagon disappeared, and Franklin sank back once more.
"I wish I could become a second Edison." he murmured to himself, "Gracious, what a lot he must know about electricity and applied mechanics!" His brows contracted for an instant. "I wonder if it would do any good to apply to him for a job!"
Franklin knew that Edison's electrical works, the one at which the great inventor himself labored, were not far distant, just outside of Llewellyn Park.
Here, the youth knew, many men and boys were employed, and why might not he obtain a situation there?
He jumped to his feet, and adjusted his collar and tie.
"I'll strike Edison himself," he declared to himself. "He can't say more than no, and he may say yes. It won't do any harm, at any rate."
In less than a minute he was striding off in the direction the wagon had taken.
