sted fine.

"Now there is one thing certain," said Randy, "Mother, come what may,
we shall have a roof over our heads."

"Yes, my son, and I am grateful for it," answered Mrs. Thompson.

"Uncle Peter may be a hard man to get along with, but he has certainly
helped us."

The next two weeks were busy ones for Randy. Jerry Borden was true to
his promise and not only did some plowing for the Thompsons but also
helped Randy to put up a new fence, partly of stone and partly of
rails. It was agreed that Borden should have the use of part of the
little farm for pasturing, and in return was to give the Thompsons two
quarts of milk a day and two pounds of butter per week, and also a
dozen fresh eggs a week while the hens were laying.

"That will certainly help us out wonderfully," said Mrs. Thompson.
"Butter, eggs, and milk are quite an item of expense."

"And that is not all," said Randy. "I am going to help Mr. Borden with
his haying soon and he is going to pay us in early vegetables."

The haying time was already at hand, and Randy soon pitched in with a
will, much to his neighbor's satisfaction.

One day Jack came to bring good news. His father had secured a position
with an iron works at Albany, on the Hudson River.

"It will pay him a fair salary," said Jack.

"I am glad to hear it," answered Randy. "What will your family do,
remain here or move to Albany?"

"We are going to remain here for the present, but, if the place suits
father after he has been there a while, then we'll move."

"Have you learned anything more about the Bangses?"

"Mrs. Bangs and Bob are on a summer vacation."

"Yes, I know that. I meant Mr. Bangs."

"He is in full charge at the iron works here and drawing a salary of
eight thousand dollars a year. Father says he will run the works into
the ground so that the stock won't be worth a cent."

"Can't your father do anything?"

"Not yet. But he is going to watch things. There was some trouble over
a contract and he is trying to get to the bottom of that," continued
Jack.

When Randy went to work for Farmer Borden he came into contact with the
farmer's son Sammy, a tall, overgrown lad of fourteen, with a freckled
face and a shock of red hair. Sammy hated to work, and his father and
mother had to fairly drive him to get anything out of him.

"City folks don't work like farmers," remarked Sammy to Randy. "They
jest lay off an' take it easy."

"How do you know that?" asked our hero, in