re could be no leather unless somebody did just what I am doing,
it seems well worth while. I never did anything before that was actually
necessary. It is rather good sport."

And, in truth, Peter was doing something. Had he doubted it the ever
increasing fund toward his motorcycle would have been a tangible proof.
Already it was quite a little nest-egg and the boy, who had never before
earned a penny, felt justifiably proud of the crisp bills that he was
able to tuck at intervals into the bank. Once more, as a recognition of
his faithful work, his pay had been raised--this time to seven dollars.

It was toward the middle of August that Mr. Tyler, the superintendent,
who evidently was keeping closer watch of Peter's progress than he had
suspected, notified him that on the fifteenth he was to leave the
beamhouse and report in the finishing department. Peter was not only
astonished but a good deal distressed. He had worked not a whit harder
or more faithfully than had Nat Jackson, and deserved the promotion no
more--in fact not as much as his chum. It seemed grossly unfair. Peter
turned the matter over and over in his mind. He would have rejoiced in
the good fortune had he considered it came to him justly; but to take
what belonged to somebody else--that robbed it of all its charm. He
thought and thought what he should do and at last he gained courage to
go to Mr. Tyler with his dilemma. An appeal for his friend could do no
harm and it might do good.

When he had made his errand known the superintendent tilted back in his
chair and regarded him in silence.

"Jackson is far better informed as to the processes than I am, Mr.
Tyler," Peter pleaded. "Besides, he has a mother to support and needs to
get on. If there is only one vacancy in the finishing department can't
you give him the chance? He has been a year in the beamhouse already,
and if there is a promotion it belongs by right to him."

Mr. Tyler fingered his watch-chain. He had never had precisely this
experience before--to try to push a man and have him beg that you give
his good luck to somebody else. Surely this Peter Strong was an
extraordinary person! Mr. Tyler could now understand how even the
president of the company, under the spell of his simple eloquence, had
not only surrendered a valuable building lot for a park but had actually
named it after the youthful enthusiast. The superintendent couldn't but
admire the lad's earnestness. At the same time, howev