Mr.
Bates lived in the same neighborhood where Frank was brought up in New Hartford, Conn.

Every week or two he would go out with a load.

Things moved on in this seemingly prosperous way for some time.

One day I accidentally heard that parties in New York with whom I had never dealt, were selling my clocks at very reduced prices, and I began to mistrust that Frank had been selling to them at less than cost.

On seeing him, he told me I was greatly mistaken and smoothed down the matter so that it appeared satisfactory to me.