“Yes, but not much of a one. Any one would be better than Jacob Winter.”
“Man proposes, but God disposes.” Even while they were talking unseen forces were at work which were to defeat all their plans. Suddenly, as they stood on the river bank, a strange rumbling noise was heard, and before their astonished eyes there rose into the air fragments of wood mingled with stones and dirt, like a volcanic eruption.
“Good Heavens!” exclaimed the superintendent in great excitement, “the dam has been undermined and blown up!”
“But how?”
“It must be by dynamite or giant powder.”
“But who could have done it?”
“I dismissed two workmen two weeks since. They must have done it from revenge.”
“And what will be the consequence?”
“The factory must shut down till the dam is rebuilt.”
“And then ends my hopes of employment under you?”