e kind of a line that is
really needed. You see, our business is increasing, and we are buying
land which we intend to sell out in small farms, and so expect to build
up quite a little village out there in time. So you can understand that
we would like to be in direct communication with Richmond and the North.
And if we can have it by means of your line, we are ready to put the
necessary funds into the work."

Harry was so amazed at this statement, that he could hardly find words
with which to express himself.

"Why, that would give us a regular, first-class telegraph line!" he
exclaimed.

"Certainly," said Mr. Martin, "and that's the only kind of a line that
is really worth anything."

"I don't know what to think about it," said Harry. "I didn't expect you
to propose anything like this."

"Well," said Mr. Martin, rising, "I must be off. I had only a few
minutes to spare, but I thought I had better come and make you this
proposition. I think you had better lay it before your Board of Managers
as soon as possible, and if you will take my advice, as a business man,
you'll accept our offer."

So saying, he bid Harry good-by, took off his hat to Kate, who was still
looking out of the window, mounted his horse, and rode away.

There was a meeting of the Board of Managers of the Crooked Creek
Telegraph Company that afternoon. It was a full meeting, for Harry sent
hasty messengers to those he called the "out-lying members."

A more astonished body of officials has seldom been seen than was our
Board when Harry laid the proposition of Mr. Martin before it.

But the boys were not so much amazed that they could not jump at this
wonderful opportunity and in a very short time it was unanimously voted
to accept the proposition of the mica-mine people, and to build the
great line.

Almost as soon as this important vote had been taken, the meeting
adjourned, and the members hurried to their several homes to carry the
news.

"We'll have to change our name," said Tom Selden to Harry. "We ought to
call our company 'The United States Mica and Hetertown Lightning Express
Line,' or something big like that."

"Yes," replied Harry. "The A 1 double-action, back-spring,
copper-fastened, broad-gauge telegraph line from here to the moon!"

And away he ran to meet Kate, who was coming down the road.

CHAPTER XXVII.

HOW SOMETHING CAME TO AN END.

The mica-mine management appeared to be thoroughly in earnest about this