"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