just sheds with slab roofs. I don't think much of them myself, though I
don't know much about mills. The Boss went round askin' questions and
I don't think he liked the look of them much either. I know he kept
his lips shut pretty tight as we used to see him do sometimes in the
Institute. I am awful glad he brought me along. He says I have got to
write to you at least once a month, and I've got to take care of my
writin' too and get the spellin' right. When I think of the fellers back
in the alleys pitchin' pennies I tell you I'd ruther die than go back.
Here a feller feels he's alive. I wish I'd paid more attention to my
writin' in the night school, but I guess I was pretty much of a fool
them days, and you were awful good to me. The Boss says that a man must
always pay his way, and when I told him I wanted to pay for them clothes
you gave me he looked kind o' funny, but he said "that's right," so I
want you to tell me what they cost and I will pay you first thing, for
I'm goin' to be a man out in this country. We're goin' up the river
next week and see the gangs workin' up there in the bush. It's kind o'
lonesome here goin' along the street and lookin' people in the faces to
see if you can see one you know. Lots of times I though I did see some
one I knew but it wasn't. Good by, I'll write you soon again.

Yours truly,

MICHAEL COLE.

"The second letter," Kate went on, "is written from the camp, Twentymile
Camp, he calls it. He tells how they went up the river in the steamer,
taking with them some new hands for their camp, and how these men came
on board half drunk, and how all the way up to Yale they were drinking
and fighting. It must have been horrible. After that they went on
smaller boats and then by wagons. On the roads it must have been
terrible. Coley seems much impressed with the big trees. He says:"

"These big trees are pretty hard to write about without sayin' words the
Boss don't allow. It makes you think of bein' in St. Michaels, it's so
quiet and solemn-like, and I never felt so small in all my life. The
Boss and me walked the last part of the way, and got to camp late and
pretty tired, and the men we brought in with us was all pretty mad, but
the Boss never paid no attention to 'em but went whistlin' about as if
everything was lovely. We had some pork and beans for supper, then went
to sleep in a bunk nailed up against the side of the shanty. It was as
hard as a board, but I tell you it felt pr