24. CHAPTER XXIV.
RICHARD RETURNS TO THE SAW-MILL.
The Dam in due time was repaired; the Factories and
Saw-mills resumed operations, and the life and activity, rattle
and clatter, that attach to extensive mechanical works,
once more resounded.
But Saw No. 1 — Richard's appropriate field of action —
was dead. Captain Creamer had failed; the breach in the
Dam ruined him. Richard, Mr. Gouch, Silver, and the rest
of the gang, gathered at their old resort; but there was no
one to employ them. None appeared, to rent the saw. The
Corporation, rather than that the instrument should lie idle,
offered to stock it, and let it by the thousand, if the original
hands, of whose ability and fidelity they had proof, would
take it. A bargain was soon struck. Mr. Gouch and
the others retained their several posts, whilst, by unanimous
consent, it was arranged that Richard should assume
the supervision of the concern. An honor to our hero!
For this office, it was evident to his fellows, he was well
qualified, and to it all were happy in raising him. His
readiness in figures, his judgment of timber, the accuracy
and economy with which he could answer an order,
his familiarity with the several branches of work, — what
had become obvious during the winter, — united to never-failing
vigilance and sagacity, and great kindliness of
feeling and urbanity of intercourse, rendered the choice of
the company as easy to themselves as it was flattering to
him. His wages advanced with his responsibility; and, if
his labor was less manual, his duties were not less arduous
and exacting.
Clover was missing, — an absence which none regretted.
Affairs moved on harmoniously and prosperously. Mr.
Gouch, unabashed by the presence of Clover, grew a firmer
and more resolute man. Silver was silent and glum, but
not spiteful or rude. All the men had their weaknesses, as
well as their strength, and sport was too nimble and too
needful to be subdued by toil. There is no humor so
genial, no gayety so inspiring, as that which is awakened
among good-natured, hard-laboring men.
Summer was upon them, with its softening and expanding
influences; — the great doors stood open, — the breeze was
welcome, — the roar of the Dam, which had been sharp
and hard in winter, grew round, limpid, melting, — the
rumbling of the wheels in the pit, the screeching of the
saws, all acknowledged the return of a milder dispensation.
The signs of business about the premises were not a little
pleasing; teams hurrying to and fro, the cries of the teamsters,
wheels laden with boards, carts filled with refuse,
and whatever indicated rapid exchange and a thriving
season.
In transacting the affairs of the concern, Richard came
in contact with a variety of individuals in the city, — lumber
dealers, carpenters, and such as were engaged in the
erection of houses. He did a large amount of what is called
custom work.
In all things his honesty and intelligence were of use to
him. He had been in the forest, studied trees, and investigated
the kinds and properties of wood. The hard and
the soft, the new and the seasoned, — what will bear the
weather and what must be protected, — what is adapted to
one end and what to another, — were familiar matters. In
manifold particulars, his opinion was sought, and his advice
followed.
During the summer, Richard and Nefon, the Bookseller,
became better acquainted; and the more they became
acquainted, the better they liked each other; as if the non-acquaintance
of man with man were not at the foundation
of nine tenths of mortal dislikes! Now, Nefon applied to
Richard to take a class in the Sunday-school, of which he
was Superintendent. Richard, with natural distrust of
his abilities, yet obedient to the rule he had adopted as the
supreme guide of life, TO DO GOOD, replied that he would be
glad to do so. But an obstacle intervened, which seemed
at first sight not easy to be surmounted. His sister feared
such a step would alienate him from the church she attended,
and consign him remedilessly to Parson Smith's. Richard
declared that no position of this sort in the Church of
the Redemption should bind him to its authority or its influence,
beyond the plain teachings of the New Testament.
Roxy promised him her prayers, — albeit she could not
yield him her blessing, as he entered upon this novel duty.
To his class he added certain boys, whose abodes were
the shores of the River, the Islands, and the neglected
quarters of the New Town, and whom he had seen playing
the vagrant or the thief about the Mills; and had the satisfaction
of finding them punctual and interested, and of
recording their progress in divine knowledge.
