rible days spent at the slope, fearing each
instant that the rescuing party would reach the drift too late, caused
me to resolve that you should not be exposed to any more such dangers."

"But it don't stand to reason he'll have another experience like the
last," Joe said, promptly. "He's already gone through more'n the
majority of us fellers, an' lightning don't often strike twice in the
same place."

Mrs. Byram shook her head to signify that the decision was final, but
before she could add words to the gesture Mr. Wright knocked at the
door.

"I have come to make some arrangements with Fred about working in the
store," he said, as his summons was answered, and entering, continued,
after a nod to the invalid and Joe, "we shall need more help there for a
while, and will pay three dollars per week."

There could be no hesitation about accepting the proposition, and before
the superintendent left it was decided Fred should begin next morning,
provided he felt sufficiently strong.

"Sam Thorpe is to work with you," Mr. Wright said as he turned to leave
the house, "and I expect good service from my new clerks."

"I'll go bail that you get it," Joe said, with a laugh, "an' now, if it
ain't askin' too much, I'd like to know what chance there is for the
rest of us."

"We can use about a hundred men, among whom will be you and Bill. The
pumps have been choked so long that it will be some time before even the
upper level can be put into working shape, but employment shall be given
to all at the earliest possible moment."

Then Mr. Wright returned to the office, and during the remainder of the
day Fred had quite as many callers as could be entertained in the little
house.

Among these were Sam and Skip, and the latter renewed the promises made
in the mine.

"I've backed out from the Regulators, an' while the shut down lasts am
goin' to see what I can do in the way of workin' the garden. Father's
let me off from a floggin' if I go straight after this."

On the following morning Fred was at his new place of business at a very
early hour, and both he and Sam found plenty with which to occupy their
time until sunset, when they were at liberty to do as they chose.

During the next week nothing of particular interest to the young clerks
transpired.

At the mine the largest force, which could be worked to advantage, was
employed, and those who were forced to remain idle were given credit
for food and rent.

When the l