settled, for none of the owners of the farms between the mines and
Hetertown, all of whom were well acquainted with Mr. Loudon (and no man
in that part of the country was held in higher estimation by his
neighbors), had the slightest objection to the boys putting up their
telegraph line on their lands.

When Harry had secured the necessary promises, the construction of the
line was commenced forthwith. The boys had very little trouble with it.
Mr. Martin got together a gang of men, with an experienced man to direct
them, and came down with them to Akeville, where Harry hired them; and
finding that the foreman understood the business, he told him to go to
work and put up the line. When paydays came around, Harry gave each man
an order for his money on the Mica Mine Company, and their wages were
paid them by Mr. Martin.

It was not very long before the line was constructed and the instruments
were in working order in Hetertown and at the mica mines. There was a
person at the latter place who understood telegraphy, and he attended to
the business at that end of the line, while Mr. Lyons worked the
instruments at the Hetertown station, which was in the same building
with the regular telegraph line.

It was agreed that the Mica Company should keep an account of all
messages sent by them over the line, and should credit the Crooked Creek
Telegraph Company with the amount due in payment, after deducting
necessary expenses, hire of operators', and six per cent. on the capital
advanced.

Everything having been arranged on this basis, the extended line went
into operation, without regard to the amount of water in the creek, and