Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-05-25

In the dusk they silent for several minutes
Below the river slipped quietly by, with the lights
of a tow or passing steamer making the surface
visible i'll streaks.
Joseph I'll tell you a business secret. haven't
announced it formally as yet, but have bought
this cliff we are driving over and I going to
build quarry here l am tired Of loafng and
don't like the city any better than you do, This
is trap rock, and It's worth ten cents cubic foot
now Would YOU like to work for me-"
The slinmcring stars seemed to dance, and the
moon (which had just peepcd over the river bank,
was w9ndrq bright To Jo h the ass OF n tie
He tried to speak, but his voice trembed Mr..
Morton lr put t., out his hand qyietIiy . .,,-.
morrow. There is plenty OF work to be done, and
it may be a good chance for both Of us: There
isn't anything like this rock near New York for
railroads, streets, building and all sorts OF tounda-
tons
Mr.. Morton told Joseph of the big crusherss, of
the scows and the tug he would build, Of the blasts
and the loading and measuring, and all that night
Josephs ears rang with the whirr OF the machinery,
and the crunching Of the stone
The responsibilities which thrust upon Jo
scph from the first were enough to upset Mr.. Sea-
bury's theory Of life, had not that gentleman been
firmly convinced that by no possible means could
any boy ever grow into useful manhood, and reach
that goal OF all worldly ambition wealth, without
working up from the bottom. AS it he drew
up his horse day by the roadside Office where
Joseph was busy with his stone records. In the
two years that had passed, Mr.. Mortons energy
had changed the wild, woodland shore into busy
quarry where great breakers took the stone that
was blasted from the cliff and maulcd and pounded
it until the sifters had carried it away 70 the storing
bins to the scows at the dock. 1t was busy
there He was observing Mr.. Seabury's rules, uncon
scously-but he was doing much more. He was
We'll, Joseph, do they keep you busy?" Mr.. Sea-
bury asked.
oh yes sir"
"Arc. you sorry YOU didn't take my advice?"
But before Joseph could answer Mr.. Morton
into the Office with his easy swing.
Good morning, Mr. Seabury. Trying to hire this
lad away from c;'
Mr.. Scabury shifted for there was something in
the suayc confidence of Mr. Morton which ncttled
climber He had not started at the bottom rung,
Ill tell you what think, Morton. l think it's
shame yes, sir, crime, to spoil that boy You'll
Spoil him'" echoed Mr.. Morton genally
spelling him now. lie hasn't any ground work,
any underpinning, and house that's mostly top
story won't stand very long"
Top stories very useful in modern business"
Mr.. Morton replied with a smile and deliberately
turned to Joseph. Mr.. seabury drove away in dis
gust
stone week with this machinery"
Yes, sir, and more l guess, if necessary. We
could arrange for morning blast, doing the drill
night"
There's big contract in the air just now which
We might get | afraid won't, though, for
our rivals are getting anxious to make start Bat
we've got to try for it.
cd "They are not nearly ready to commence cut
4 know, but they think they are, and am afraid
can't convince our customers otherwise. | am
going to New York about it tomorrow to see the
governing board. You and bennett can pay off the
men"
And 50 it had been from the start. Far from
him as man. lie had never asked him ii he could
Just il there We're not the slightest shadow OF
doubt And, like quick, cvel-hcadcd boys every
do. From the very first he had been Mr.. Mortons
right hand in the details of records and ship
mgnts and Joseph: opinion had often been asked
Mr.. Morton had planned lie meant to 90 to
New York by the evening train, but he did not
mean to slip on his very door sill, nor to turn his
leave him So instead of his flyer TO New York to
meet the directors Of his railroad, he dragged
himself to couch and lay there in great agony for
an hour. When the doctor had cased the pain a
Bit Mr. Morton's mind snapped back to business.
lie sent for Joseph.
Joseph, have an important appointment in New
York tomorrow and the doctor says can't 60.
shall have To- send you down ,,
which he had hoped to make. But you'll find COM
petition. Schwartz Bros. will sell their stone at
6GIG G cost to cut rs out and get Their plant gong
pretty close prices, The job at a fair price means
all the stone we can turn out Of the larger sizce,
cents for it. | won't sell il for less"
And one thing more. Seabury is director lie
ought TO be friendly to our town but am afraid
he doesn't approve OF us. He is big man in the
deal though, and need his influence"
p Joseph sent his card in to the meeting OF the
Railroad Directors with a good deal Of a rumpus
going on under his coat. lie saw a big. heavy
faced German come out smilingly, with his coun-
terpart behind him, and he guessed that these we're
the Schwartz Bros He saw later another man.
whom he knew to be Mr. Dean, file out and then
his turn, The President OF the railroad was
away and Mr. Seabury had been chosen that day
to serve as chairman, lie looked up as the door
opened, expecting Morton to follow the card OF
Knocked him from bis chair with feather duster
when joseph entered and stood hcstatingly by the
face that was widcawako and ewes that seemed
to see. everything There were other directors who
Looked up in surprise when Mr. scabury exclaimed;
Joseph had been wondering whether his throat
would let word ont c.lgcwisc. He gained courage
when his voice served him in his explanation NJ Mr.
Seabury tapped his pencil in evident vexation 30