In real life, one’s environment is practical and when what one most loves is snatched from one, he must still carry on his part in the round of life. One precious belonging after another of Granny’s was tenderly put away and though no more would her feeble footstep be heard about the house, the good seed sown by her had not fallen on barren soil.
CHAPTER V
BY March, all at the mine was in readiness, every vacant house in Nootwyck rented and many rough ones were in course of construction on the mountain side. Mills was one of the first to visit the works and offer congratulations. “Your mine is apparently inexhaustible,” he said to Mr. De Vere, “and Nootwyck bids fair to fulfill your hopes. Every foot of ground within ten miles of the mine is staked out in claims and there is not an idle man in the town. I rejoice with you. God has answered our prayers, may He indeed grant that this valley shall blossom as the rose,” and he stroked his beard reverently.
Mr. De Vere could not conceal a smile as he replied, “Undoubtedly, God is good, but Hernando Genung has a hand in this job.”
“His ways are inscrutable, and unworthy means are sometimes used to accomplish a blessing,” said Mills softly, and De Vere who was looking toward the village, did not see his look of hatred and revenge. “I fail to see that application here,” said Mr. De Vere.
“It is not necessary that you do. Pardon me for even hinting at the past of one who is deemed worthy to be an instrument for good in the hands of our Heavenly Father.”
We always judge others by our own standard. Incapable of baseness himself, Mr. De Vere never suspected it in others. He was greatly attached to Hernando, and this imputation on his character nettled him, but he soon forgot it.
A large force of men was busy at the smelting and reduction works which were to be located at the foot of the mountains. Ore could be brought down in chutes. Work at the coal mines had been resumed, a track to them was nearly completed and fuel from there could be sent down to the works at slight expense.
Hernando’s training and experience among mines pre-eminently fitted him for the position he now occupied, and work under his intelligent supervision progressed rapidly, and soon the crushers indicated that the mills were in operation.