"
And thus it had come to pass that within twenty-four hours
thereafter the boy had shaken the dust of New York from his feet--
even to resigning from the Magnolia, and a day later was found
bending over a pine desk knocked together by a hammer and some
ten-penny nails in a six-by-nine shanty, the whole situated at the
mouth of a tunnel half a mile from Corklesville, where he was at
work on the pay-roll of the preceding week.
Many things had helped in deciding him to take the proffered
place. First, Peter had wanted it; second, his uncle did not want
it, Corinne and his aunt being furious that he should go to work
like a common laborer, or--as Garry had put it--"a shovel-spanked
dago." Third, Ruth was within calling distance, and that in itself
meant Heaven. Once installed, however, he had risen steadily, both
in MacFarlane's estimation and in the estimation of his fellow-
workers; especially the young engineers who were helping his Chief
in the difficult task before him. Other important changes had also
taken place in the two years: his body had strengthened, his face
had grown graver, his views of life had broadened and, best of
all, his mind was at rest.
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