enough of the latter trade to enable them to run a steam-engine to the best advantage.
After finding out what trade best suited each boy’s taste and ability, the captain intended to allow him to work mainly at that trade, though not to the neglect of any other essential knowledge. To say that all the boys were delighted with their occupation, with their work in the school-room and the shop, as well as their play on land and water, would not be stating the truth too strongly. Even Pemberton Millweed was proud of his accomplishments when he could make a bolt, with a screw and nut: and it is even probable that he forgot the meaning of the word “genteel;” at any rate, he did not use it any more.
Bolingbroke became a good mechanic as well as a good scholar,—all the better mechanic for being a good scholar. Both of the farmer’s boys were glad they failed to find places in stores; for they were satisfied in less than a month that they could earn more money, be quite as respectable, and more independent, as mechanics.
Elinora liked her place in the store, where she had fair wages. She paid her board at home, and was independent of everybody. The captain
found plenty for Fatima to do, and she proved to be a very valuable clerk to him.
The boys look out of the corners of their eyes when they see Mr. Darlingby with her, as he is a great deal of the time when they are not about their work; and even the principal fears that he may lose his accomplished assistant in the care of the records and his correspondence.
Farmer Millweed seemed to have become a new man, as well as the new head of his family. Captain Gildrock took the mortgage on his farm, and lent him money to pay his interest and the more pressing of his other debts. His daughters pay their board, and the eight dollars a week from this source is a godsend to him.
Mrs. Millweed does not say much about the new order of things, but she cannot help seeing and appreciating the improvement in their circumstances; for the farmer is certain that he shall be able to pay all his debts in time, and own his farm free and clear.
Affairs went on very smoothly at the Beech-Hill Industrial School for several weeks, though in time the institution had its trials and troubles; and we are content to leave the “Champlain Mechanics”
in their “Snug Harbor,” expecting to present them again when they begin their promised work with the “Square and Compass,” in the practical work of “Building the House.”