noon
`` I have n't a bag-full , '' said Harry ; `` but I reckon you 'll have to take them . There 's nobody else about , it seems , and I ca n't leave the station . '' So Uncle Braddock was engaged as telegraph-boy , and Harry having promised him twenty cents to go to Hetertown and to return with any telegrams that were there awaiting transmission to the other side of the creek , the old man set off with his little package , in high good humor with the idea of earning money by no harder work than walking a few miles . Shortly after noon , he returned with a few messages from Hetertown , and by that time there were some for him to carry back . So he made two trips and forty cents that day -- quite an income for Uncle Braddock . In the evening , Jim Haskins made his appearance with his mule . He said his brother had n't told him anything about Harry 's wanting him until that afternoon .