er, he did not at
all fancy having his plans questioned or interfered with; therefore when
he spoke it was to dash Peter's demands to earth with a rebuff.

"Most men would hail with gratitude an opening that took them out of
the beamhouse, Strong," replied he stiffly. "It is generous of you, no
doubt, to make this plea for your friend, but you see you are the person
recommended for the promotion. In this world we must take our chances as
they come. Unfortunately the opportunities of life are not transferable,
my boy. I will, however, bear Jackson in mind and see if anything can be
done for him. Good-morning."

The nod of Mr. Tyler's head was final.

Peter turned away, heart-sick at his failure. He had done all he could
unless, indeed, he broke his bond and appealed to his father, and any
such breach of their contract he considered out of the question. Yet how
he dreaded to tell the Jacksons of his success. Nat would be so hurt!
Still, they must, of course, know it in time and how much better to hear
the news from Peter himself than in cowardly fashion to leave the spread
of the tidings to rumor. Accordingly he told his tale as bravely as he
could.

"It isn't as if I deserved it one bit more than you, Nat," he concluded.
"It has just happened to come to me--I've no idea why."

"Of course you deserve it, Peter," cried Nat. "Haven't you worked like a
tiger in the beamhouse ever since you came here? You know you have.
Everybody says so. There isn't a man in the works but likes you and will
be glad at your good luck--I most of all. Some day I'll be making a
start up the ladder myself; wait and see if I don't!"

Although he spoke with a generous heartiness and made every attempt to
conceal his chagrin, Peter knew that in reality Nat honestly felt that
he had failed to receive the prize that he had rightfully won. Had not
the friendship of the boys been of tough fibre it would have been
shattered then and there. As it was their affection for each other
bridged the chasm and it would have been hard to tell which of them
suffered the more--the lad who through no fault of his own had taken the
award that belonged to his chum, or the lad who had won the prize only
to see it handed to some one else. Peter, who was the victim of success,
seemed of the two the more overwhelmed with regrets and therefore it was
Nat who, despite his bitter disappointment, turned comforter.

"You mustn't be so cut up over it, Peter, old boy! Of c