The Iron Boys in the Mines; or, Starting at the Bottom of the Shaft
Carrha
," answered the office boy, grin
ident of the mining company," answered the first speaker, a lad o
want to see
ng a level gaze at the boy, who was half a head taller and much mor
ot speak with
ase? It is qu
I won't
on't l
N
name in-tell him I s
N
ded and disappointed. He had not thought there would be any dif
on-s
, pressing both hands against Steve's chest, began shoving the lad out into the corridor. Steve w
and sprang lightly to one side. The next instant his fingers closed over the w
o my
ed on thin air, but ere he could square himself for another swing the grip of young Rush had once more fastened on h
e so high that office doors were quickly opened along the corridor, hea
to Mr. Carrhart?" demanded
'll trim you fo
ve been believed of him, calmly began le
shall see what he has to say about you. I do not believe
opened and a youn
does this mean?" deman
rting me
f the office boy, and removing his
Mr. Carrh
y. What is the meanin
g to see Mr.
bout it, I must say," was the sharp repl
to get
wh
referably i
retary
s not the place to come for a situation in the mines. You will have to apply to o
am sure I shall be able to do
cannot see the president," announced the secretary sho
oy. "Now, Mr. Smarty, will you
ith
t's
e to see your employer," announced Steve in a low, firm tone. He calmly se
ntly thinking better of it, strode back to his little square desk and threw hims
rd "President." Now and then he caught sight of a shadow within, through th
move?" demanded a
fice boy standing close to him,
s waiting to see
are
es
ou going t
wait here until
get put out
y by the elevator. You can't put m
Rush caught sight of the figure of a man behind the glass of the door
and a man stepped out into the co
are you Mr. Carrhart
Carrh
s,
d; what made yo
ut of the president's office and I wanted
on't you go
ed Steve in a resolute
reached the bench just outside the reception room. Instead, he stepped firml
oing?" cried the office
and stepped within. The office boy prevented his closing the door, and a second later had bolted in after the visitor. Then things began to happen wi
e president, gazing with amazement at the roug
. All at once Steve got a firm grip on the wrist of his antagonist. The office boy uttered a yell as t
Mr. Carrhart, sir
ire what this remarkab
to see y
in a very peculia
e boy will want t
to the boy. G
the office boy made another dash for him, bu
rt sternly. "You have done your duty a
lance at the unruffled countenance of Ste
estioned the president. "State your busin
ng for a po
re him, he saw something there that arrested the words he was about to utter. The boy's face showed
ition?" he aske
s,
on are you l
s; I wish to learn the business,
idence of that fact. But
ines. Should I not go to the head
ght at that, my lad
adding that he had completed half hi
school? You should be in school at y
cumstances have arisen that make i
those circ
work to help support my mother," answered t
ur mothe
some sewing, and, with what I shall be able to earn
e president. "You
cause I am wi
I should think that would be better for a
be a miner. I want to start at t
arrhart after brief reflection. "And, besides, as you unders
I was quite frail when I began going to school, but by systematic exercise I have built myself up. I can stand a much greater strai
ike to come in t
ut, as I have already said, I prefer
ce of such determination as yours. The work in the mines is very hard. You will find rough men there and
I am sure o
ng. Steve watched him, not quite certain w
hance, sir?" asked the la
ked him to give you employment at the earliest possible moment. I shall hope to hear go
you! I cannot tell you how
making of an excellent man for the company. We are lo
the reception room the offic
I catch you outside," announ
omebody might get hurt. Besides, I
o carry the good n
ith hands clasped behind his back, gazing down into the street. "Yes, h