entirely well, but the process
seemed very slow, and at times Mr. Stanley was almost discouraged.

The Stanley family, of which Fred was the only child, lived in the town
of Piddock, California. It was not far from a mining region, and within
a short distance of the coast. Mr. Stanley had been in good
circumstances when he was able to work, but since his accident, having a
large doctor bill to pay, his savings had been used up. As he could not
earn any more, the family was in needy circumstances, though,
occasionally, Fred was able to make small sums by doing odd jobs here
and there. Mrs. Stanley took in sewing, and they just managed to get
along, paying a small rent, and eating only the most common food, though
the doctor had said Mr. Stanley would recover more quickly if he could
have a special diet.

"Well, Fred," went on Mr. Stanley, "I hope some day I can send you back
to school, and perhaps to college. If only my leg would get better," and
he uttered a sigh.

"Don't worry, father. We'll get along somehow. But where is mother? I
would like to get my breakfast and hurry over to New Strike. All the
best jobs may be taken, and I'll only get a chance to be superintendent,
or something like that," and he laughed at his joke, for Fred was not a
gloomy-spirited boy.

"Your mother is not up yet, Fred," said Mr. Stanley. "She was sewing
quite late last night, and I told her to take a rest this morning. She
needed it. I thought maybe you and I could get our own breakfast."

"Of course we can, dad. It won't be the first time I have done it, for
when I went camping with the fellows I used to be cook part of the
time."

"And I haven't forgotten the time when I was prospecting in the
mountains and used to have to get my own flapjacks and coffee," added
the former miner. "I guess we can make out all right, and then you can
go see if you can strike a job. If they insist on making you part owner,
or manager of a good mine, I suppose you will have to take it."

He smiled at his son in spite of his rather gloomy feelings. But he was
sad at the thought of how hard his wife had to work to earn a little
money, while he, a strong man, save for his injured leg, could do next
to nothing.

"Oh, I guess I can stand it to take half shares in a new lead," replied
Fred. "Now if you'll set the table, dad, I'll put the kettle on, make
coffee and fry some eggs."

Mr. Stanley could manage to move slowly about the room with the aid of
hi