FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   33   34   35   36   37   38   39   40   41   42   43   44   45   46   47   48   49   50   51   52   53   54   55   56   57  
58   59   60   61   62   63   64   65   66   67   68   69   70   71   72   73   74   75   76   77   78   79   80   81   82   >>   >|  
n his shivering visitors. V.--THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA It was not till spring came and the earth relaxed her stiff and reappearing bones that Clark really got to work, and then arrived the first battalions of that great influx which was soon to follow. Up at the rapids men and machinery became visible as though by magic. Belding had a curious sensation as he saw the product of his former plans well nigh obliterated in the larger excavation which now began to take shape. His earlier efforts took on their due proportion, and he smiled at the contrast, reveling in his opportunity for the full exercise of his ability. But it is probable that neither Belding nor any others amongst the leading men who, in time, were gathered into the works, realized to what a degree they were animated by the mesmeric influence of Clark. By this time Bowers, another local appointment, was the legal representative of the Company, and the repository of great intentions which he guarded with scrupulous fidelity. Clark was redeeming his promise not to import that which the town could provide. And then he met the bishop. He saw the broad-shouldered, black-coated figure contemplating a steam shovel that was gnawing at the rocky soil beside the rapids. The bishop was a big man with a handsome head, well shaped legs adorned with episcopal gaiters, and a broad, deep chest. It was universally admitted that a less ample breast could not have contained so great a heart. "Good day, sir." Clark involuntarily lifted his hat. The bishop held out a firm white hand. "I've heard of you, Mr. Clark, and am glad to see that Mahomet has come to his mountain. It's a little like a fairy tale to me." "I hope it may prove as attractive." "But I believe in fairies, we need them nowadays." Clark smiled. "I'm afraid that St. Marys doesn't believe in them as yet, but I'll do what I can." "I suppose you've met every one here in the course of the winter?" "Most I think. As a matter of fact one hasn't much time." "That's a new thing in winter in the North. Now show me what's going on, I'm vastly interested." There was nothing that could have suited Clark better, and the two tramped about for an hour. At the end of it they stood near the head of the rapids and watched a coughing dredge tear into the soft bottom. "I used to come up here to fish," said the bishop thoughtfully, "and once killed a six pound trout on a six ounce rod, bu
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   33   34   35   36   37   38   39   40   41   42   43   44   45   46   47   48   49   50   51   52   53   54   55   56   57  
58   59   60   61   62   63   64   65   66   67   68   69   70   71   72   73   74   75   76   77   78   79   80   81   82   >>   >|  



Top keywords:

bishop

 

rapids

 
Belding
 

smiled

 
winter
 

Mahomet

 
attractive
 

mountain

 

contained

 
breast

universally

 

admitted

 
involuntarily
 

lifted

 

killed

 

suited

 

interested

 

vastly

 

tramped

 
dredge

coughing

 
bottom
 

watched

 

nowadays

 

afraid

 

suppose

 

thoughtfully

 

matter

 

gaiters

 

fairies


product

 

sensation

 

obliterated

 
curious
 
machinery
 

visible

 

larger

 

excavation

 

proportion

 

reveling


contrast
 

efforts

 

earlier

 

follow

 

spring

 
BEGINNING
 

shivering

 

visitors

 

relaxed

 

arrived