rouble when they came.

George Purvis lived just outside of the village. He was a tall fellow
with a little head. His father had been in the Legislature, and George
was a great fellow to talk, and he was full of new ideas. If Harry and
Kate had not worked out so thoroughly the plan of the company before
electing the Directors, George would have given the rest of the Board a
great deal of trouble.

When about four-fifths of the capital stock had been subscribed, and
there was not much likelihood of their getting any more at present, the
Board of Directors determined to go to work.

Acting under the advice and counsel of Mr. Lyons (who ought to have been
a Director, but who was not offered the position), they sent to New York
for two sets of telegraphic instruments--registers, keys, batteries,
reels, etc., etc.--one set for each office, and for about half a mile
of wire, with the necessary office-wire, insulators, etc.

This took pretty much all their capital, but they hoped to economize a
good deal in the construction of the line, and felt quite hopeful.

But it seemed to be a long and dreary time that they had to wait for the
arrival of their purchases from New York. Either Harry or one of the
other boys rode over to Hetertown every day, and the attention they paid
to the operation of telegraphy, while waiting for the train, was
something wonderful.

It was a fortunate thing for the Board that, on account of the sickness
of the teacher, the vacation commenced earlier than usual in Akeville
that year.

More than a week passed, and no word from New York. No wonder the boys
became impatient. It had been a month, or more, since the scheme had
been first broached in the village, and nothing had yet been done--at
least, nothing to which the boys could point as evidence of progress.

The field of operation had been thoroughly explored. The pine trees
which were to serve as telegraph poles had been selected, and contracts
had been made with "One-eyed Lewston," a colored preacher, who lived
near the creek on the Akeville side, and with Aunt Judy, who had a log
house on the Hetertown side, by which these edifices were to be used as
telegraphic stations. The instruments and batteries, when not in use,
were to be locked up in stationary cases, made by the Akeville
carpenter, after designs by Harry.

Of course, while waiting for the arrival of their goods from New York,
the Board met every day. Having little real business,