"I am much obliged to all of you for your kindness," he said. "But as
I told you before, I don't much care for life in a lumber camp. I want
to get among the iron and steel workers and make something of myself
in that industry," and shortly after that he left the camp, and his
place on the donkey engine was taken by another. How Bruce struck out,
and whether he succeeded or failed in his undertaking, will be told
in another volume of this "Great American Industries Series," a story
dealing largely with the iron and steel output of our country.
The many changes going on did not prevent Owen from going at the
railroad contract "tooth and nail," as Dale laughingly expressed it.
All he did was approved of by Jefferson Wilbur, and that gentleman
himself grew quite enthusiastic as the time on the contract grew
shorter.
"Oh, we're bound to win out!" cried Owen. "We've simply got to do it;"
and during the last forty-eight hours he went out himself, and he and
Dale worked as hard as anybody, bringing down the last trees required
to fill the order. When the final load reached the Columbia, and was
transferred to the railroad, there was a general rejoicing.
"Filled!" cried Dale, and threw up his cap.
"Yes, and with half a day to spare," added Owen. "We could supply them
with twenty more sticks if they wanted them."
"You have done well," put in Jefferson Wilbur, "very well indeed, and
so has everybody connected with this plant." And at the end of the week
the employees received the bonus that Owen had promised them. Owen
himself was not forgotten, and he placed the money in the old cigar box
with a laugh.
"Going to keep on saving," he said, with a merry glance at Dale. "Don't
expect to be as rich as you, but I'll have something for a rainy day."
"We're going to form a stock company when I am of age," answered Dale.
"And when we do, Mr. Wilbur and I have agreed to let you in on the
ground floor. So bring out your old violin to-night, Owen, and give us
a tune and be happy."
"Happy! how could a fellow be otherwise, in such a glorious spot as
this," said Owen. He lifted his cap and took in a deep breath from the
pine forest. "Beats a city all to nothing, doesn't it, Dale? Tell you
what, I'd rather be a lumberman than be a king!"
THE END
* * * * *
EDWARD STRATEMEYER'S BOOKS
Old Glory Series
_Six Volumes. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume $1.25._
UNDER DEWEY AT MANILA.
A YOUNG VOLUNTEER IN CUBA.
FIGHTING IN CUBAN WATERS.
UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES.
THE CAMPAIGN OF THE JUNGLE.
UNDER MacARTHUR IN LUZON.
Bound to Succeed Series
_Three Volumes. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume $1.00._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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