“Why, Ben, what has happened?”
“The best thing that could happen. James has gone over to Uncle Isaac’s.”
“Glory to God! He’s all right, or he never would do that.”
James and Uncle Isaac came back together in the afternoon, and before night there was another auger-hole in the great maple.
Mr. Welch soon received a letter from his son, telling him all that had transpired, and asking permission to come home and go to work.
“Blessed be God!” exclaimed the delighted father. “My last days are going to be my best days.”
The reform proved permanent. James Welch became a partner with his father, and assumed the position for which his abilities qualified him. In after years, he often visited the spot where this singular scene was enacted, and the fountain was ever after, by universal consent, called Quicksilver Spring. In process of time the first syllable was dropped, and many who are familiar with Silver Spring are ignorant of the circumstances from whence it derived its present name.
CHAPTER III.
THE BOYS CATCH THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
After the departure of James Welch, nothing worthy of note occurred to disturb the quiet enjoyment of life on Elm Island.
Upon Ben’s recovery in the spring, he had hired Robert Yelf for the summer.