Harry shook hands with his visitor, and invited him to walk into the
house; but after Mr. Martin had dismounted and fastened his horse, he
thought that the seat under the catalpa-tree looked so cool and
inviting, that he proposed that they should sit down there and have a
little chat.

"I have been thinking about the extension of your telegraph line," said
the manager of the mica mine, "and have talked it over with our people.
They agree with me that it would be a good thing, and we have
determined, if it suits you and your company, that we will advance the
money necessary to carry out the scheme."

"I'm glad to hear that," said Harry; "but, as I said before, you'll have
to bear the whole expense, and it will cost a good deal to carry the
line from the creek all the way to Hetertown."

"Yes, it will cost some money," said Mr. Martin "but our idea is that
you ought to have a complete line while you are about it, and that it
ought to run from our mine to Hetertown."

"From your mine to Hetertown!" exclaimed Harry, in astonishment.

"Yes," said Mr. Martin, smiling. "That is the kind of a line that is
really needed. You see, our business is increasing, and we are buying
land which we intend to sell out in small farms, and so expect to build
up quite a little village out there in time. So you can understand that
we would like to be in direct communication with Richmond and the North.
And if we can have it by means of your line, we are ready to put the
necessary funds into the work."