ptimism of youth, the lovers
hoped for happiness. A little older, they might at least defy the
hostile guardian. In the meantime, Zeke was determined to attain
material prosperity during the period of waiting.

Then, Richard Sutton came into the mountains of the Blue Ridge. He
chanced on Zeke, made use of the lad as a guide. Soon mutual liking
and respect developed. Sutton was a manufacturer of tree-nails--the
wooden pins used in ships' timbers. Here in the ranges was an
abundance of locust timber, the best for his need. And there was much
talk of a branch railway to come. His alert business imagination saw
that a factory located at the source of supply would be advantageous.
He saw, too, the capacity for development in his young friend. Zeke's
familiarity with the region might be valuable--more valuable still his
popularity and the respect accorded him in the community. Sutton
suggested to the young man that he should come to New York presently,
there to learn the details of manufacture, with the prospect of
return, later on, to manage the business in the mountains. Naturally,
the project was splendid to Zeke's ambition. His only fear had been
lest his departure be delayed by lack of money, for pride would not
let him confess his extremity to Sutton. There must be some cash in
hand for his mother's support, until he should be able to send her
more. Then, as he fretted, opportunity favored him anew, for a
surveying party came to run a railroad branch north to Stone Mountain.
He was employed as ax-man and assistant cook. His wages solved the
difficulty, so far as his mother's need was concerned. For the rest,
he took only a small sum to his own use, since he was minded to work
his way north on shipboard from Norfolk. It was in accord with such
high hopes that this May morning found him tramping, barefooted, into
Joines' store, with the black oilcloth valise slung from his
shoulder.

The halt here was a necessary feature in Zeke's itinerary. On a
previous visit to the store, he had purchased a pair of serviceable,
if rather ungainly, shoes. Since he would have no occasion for their
use at home, he had saved himself the trouble of carrying them to and
fro.

"I reckon I'll take them-thar shoes o' mine," he said to the grizzled
proprietor, after an exchange of friendly greetings with the few
loungers present. These were well aware of his planned departure,
though ignorant of his definite aims.

"Ye hain't a-goin' to pu