Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-01

fingers. The announcement fell like thun-
| derbolt on the little forest home. Mother
| and son were almost Frustrated with fea1
| and anxiety, Harry even more so than his
mother. Had he not wished something
would happen? 1t all came back to him
| with sad and sickening reality.
Orders continued to pour into the mill-a
steady, insstent stream from many quar-
ters None of the hired men was capable
of managing affairs. They worked well
enough under a leader, but, the leader
down, they were like sheep without shep-
herd. They began to stroll idly through the
woods Several went fishing. The ox-team
stood in the stable "eating their heads off. -
With doctors bill to pay and orders threat
ening to seek other mills, ruin, hard-eyed
and hopeless seemed to stare the MaSOns
in the face. The mother would have man.
aged the mill herself. but all her time was
occupied with her husband. Just them an
| experienced and capable millman seemed
utterly beyond reach. Something had to be
done, and quickly.
Harry, the woods-hater, realized that.
too. He was not slow to think. if he was
slow to try. His father often said that
Harry had a mastery mind, but a misgiv-
ing body; and Jerry Mason was good
judge of character.
One morning while Harry was standing
in the little yard wondering what was to
become of them If his father died, an ell
derby man rode up and handed him a large
sheet of paper calling for several thou
sand feet of choice lumber-heart lumber.
for which he was willing to pay well.
Can you fill this bill, young MANI he
asked in a brisk, busineSs-like tone, when
Harry hesitated.
"Wait minute, sir, I'll see,' responded
Harry. surprised at his own interest.
He bounded into the shanty where his
mother was bending over the wasted fig
ure of his father.
Mother he cried, his eyes suddenly
rested on his fathers pitiful face, and a
splendid resolution leaped quick and strong
in his soul: Mother, can't I start up the
mill and saw this lumber?'
"Yes-go on returned the mother.
scarcely knowing what she said.
Harry rushed from the house and inform
ed the gentleman that the bill of lumber
would be ready at the specified time. Then
hurrying into the woods and to the river,
the boy. with bright, hopeful eye and un-
hesitating voice. babe the mill hands re-
port instantly for duty. In an almost in
credibly short time the engine was fired
and harnessed to the big circular saw.
Harry had often watched his father at
the work lin dissatisfied way, of course)
and. being quick to learn, had good gen.
eral idea of things. With the help of the
hands the work proceeded splendidly
The bill of lumber was ready the day be-
fore it was due. 1t Melted the mill sub
stantial sum. But it was worth more to
Harry than silver and gold. Thenceforth
the mill was kept busy. The youthful mas
ter. possessed of extraordinary executi e
. ability. made of it a fine success Orders
were filed promptly and carefully. The
fame of the mason milr' went abroad
Every one praised the boy whose masterfuI
mana gement was a wonder, even to expe-
rienced milmen.
Mr.. Mason finally began to recover: and
the sound of the saw was a wholesome
tonic to his spirits. A flush of pleasure
crept to his pale cheek when his wife in
formed him who the master of the mill
was
I'd rather lost my entire hand than for
Harry to have lost his manhood" he said
thankfully; yes. even my life." There was
a light of pride in the mans eyes as he
spoke of strong, paternal prIae.
1t was thus that Harry Mason came to
love the mill and the woods and the great
river. 1t was thus that he came into his
manhood. Several years have passed since
the little Mason mill began saving it's way
through the wilderness. great railroad
mas pierced the territory with shrill shrieks
OF hurrying life. And the one man whose
labors have contributed most I this steel
path OF progress and to the betterment of
the country in every way. is Harry Mason
W., once as the master of a little mill
learned the great lesson of contentment.