Year: 1879

Axe 1n nanQ lie neaueu the WOOuDlen, directing the fall of each tree, so as to save labor in hauling the logs. When about hundred trees were dowr he or ganized his force into choppers, and began to get out logs of every size. A pair of oxen were hired, and things began to assume shape. Heavy logs laid end to end in double row stretched across the little valley, and marked the foundation of the dam. Stout stakes were driven on the low side, and shorter logs laid up stream with the ends resting on the heavy timbers, raised the dam about one foot. The news quickly spread through the country round about. Young Keystone had found water power-in other words, wealth-in the little brook. Within three weeks the dam had been raieed three feet, and the water began to back up behind it, spreading out oyer the marsh in a slow ly widening pond. Then the people began to laugh. Keystone was a fool, after all. What could he do with only three feet fall of water? The next day small army of labor CTS appeared in the woods, and by night they had dug 8 long ditch or canal from the river up the bed of the brook. Two days after it reached the foot of the dam, and brought the river water close up to the logs. At the upper end it was five feet deep. Five and three make eight. 1 D power in abundance. Thereupon the no-loOkers said the young man was smart fellow. a good engineer, etc, etc. Within a week the village carpenter had constructed water-wheel from Ralph's designs. Within two weeks saws and gearing arrived, a shed was put up, and the sawmill was opened for business.

 The first job was for lot of two-inch plank for Farmer Besant. He claimed | that hn half of thn y11f1 hxT their agreement, and would only pay half the bill. Keystone took the job, and soon had it finished, and even ran through lot of logs and piled up the blanks on sale. Sundry small jobs came in, and it 1 began to look as if he had started good business. One morning a stranger ar rived, and introduced himself as a lumber dealer from town fifty miles down the river. He was in search of a lot of small stuff, light scantling two inches wide and an inch and half thick, in lengths of twelve feet and upward. He wanted million feet and he offered a good price, and gave his name and references. The offer was tempting, and Ralph took it, and agreed to have the stuff ready in two weeks. Encouraged by his success, he hired more help, and started on the new order. In ten days he wrote to the party to say that the scantling was nearly all ready, and could be put on a raft and hoated down the river. No reply came, and he wrote again, and in a few days re- ceived a notification of the failure of the | lumber dealer, and an account of the winding up of his affairs.

 Discouraged and sick at heart, he wandered down by the river and sat down on fallen tree alone. Everything was lost. He could never marry Jane. A large part of his lumber had been cut up into useless and unstable shape, | and he was in debt to bis men. In fool ishly trusting the word of stranger he had made a wreck of everything. When 1 the mind is ill at ease trifiing circum- stance will often absorb the whole atten- tiOn, and as he sat gloomlly breeding over the ruin of hopes, he saw 8 steam boat rounding the bend of the river about a mile up stream. She was steer | ing dangerously near a half sunken island in the middle of the river. He watched her with a vague curiosity as she came swiftly onward. Suddenly she turned, and with apparent purpose ran l directly across the upper end of the island, struck, and grounded. He could see the wheels reversed, and in mo- ment after saw the widest confusion among the passengers on board. Spring. ing up, he ran at full speed along the bank till he came opposite the stranded boat.

 It was freight and passenger steamer the Pioneer by name. She blew her whistle loudly, and a moment after he saw boat lowered. For an instant there was some confusion on the steamer as if the people were demoralized, but tall fellow interfered, and order was re- stored. The boat came slowly ashore, and by the time 1t reached the bank all his mill hands and several farming peo- pie had arrived in an excited crowd on the bank. In the boat came the captain of the steamer. As he sprang ashore he said to Ralph:

 Are there any boats or barges about here?"

 Nothing but punt or two, Can't you bring your passengers ashore Tn your own boats?"

 "Bother the passengers! I can land them easy enough. It's the cargo. The rope broke. and she ran nose on at full speed. The old Pioneer had laid down her bones forever. Poor old tub! pity her"

 ''I'll take your cargo ashore, or down stream to any point you say, in three days, for five hundred dollars"

 "Oh, you've barge or two. Why didn't you say SOP" I'll hire lem of you.'' ''I have no barge, but I'll make one in twenty-four hours-for cash. I have sawmiIl just back of here.'

 "I'll give you five hundred dollars if you'll put the cargo on flat within three days. can't get steamer up here in less than two days, and it will cost almost as much. though I don't see how you're going to make fiat in that time"

 That's my lookout. I'll have a barge 'longside before tomorrow night"

 Ut will take two barges. Heavy cargo this trip"

 eff leave single barrel behind, I'll forfeit hundred dollars. You can take the passengers to the village. Some of the folks will give them lodging till the boats come up on Monday"

 The captain agreed to the bargain, and put off to bring his passengers ashore.

 Johnson,n said Ralph to one of the