Under the Star-Spangled Banner

ts found it difficult to move about. The thick, soot-laden atmosphere covered eve

had just struck two, and yet

soppy pavements, their footsteps sounded hollow and unreal, a

absent-minded their owner happened to be. There was a certain air of authority about him; yet there was that about the stern, calm features that denoted a

Marchant was a well-known man. He was one of the magnates of this busy town, a wealthy employer of

he wealthiest men in the city. His foundries were working nigh

scussing the matter. "It gives me great satisfaction, for our

on mills, which Mr. Marchant owned in addition, were losing money every day, and in those few months he had been ruined; and he

, dressed in rough trousers and thin vest, and protected by an apron of leather. Another dark and perspiring figure came to

en walked to his office, in which a somewh

Mr.Tomkin

ponded. Then, in a doubtful manner, he said, "There have been some visitors

e been told?" Mr. Mar

We weren't certain, and we hoped that things would

g left. But I have seen to one matter; if trouble has come upon me, there is no reason why it should swamp all whom I employ. The creditor will carry on the work, and you an

e's no money, why, he'll put his shoulder to the wheel. You should see how he works here.

to slave for years, and to deny myself many a long day. Then fortune came with a rush which almost overwhelmed me. It has gone almo

the orifice of a furnace, and was replacing the lining of similar material which protected the trough down which the molten metal was d

taken for the son of a foundry hand. He was between seventeen and eighteen years of age, and of more than medium height. Dressed in a pair of rough trousers and a flannel shirt, he was to the casual observer merely an ordinary employee. But t

r, and he was known to all a

n the mold, carefully rounding off corners, building up a portion here which had broken

man to pass it, and then we'll see it cast. Hallo! The guv',

t replied. "You are an adept at t

atter remarked. "Another week or so of thi

Marchant. "But I've something to say

aking no notice of the friendly glanc

, looking after Mr. Marchant, and then at t

the works wavered, uncerta

surprise is that you haven't seen for yourself that things were completely upset. I suppose every workman here knows what is going on, and it seems strange that

are full of orders, and by all account

oping to tide over bad times. But instead of improving they became even worse. Then the foundry had to go to raise the money. The folks who advanced the money have claimed it, and your fath

read his thoughts at this trying time, there would have been found nothing selfish about them, for the question as to what was to bec

e," Hal said at length. "What will fat

t," Mr. Tomkins replied. "But come al

de which his father had taken a place. They looked at each other in the mo

I've heard all now, and only

hing, and now that you know, I only wish to discuss what is to happen to you. What will you do for a living? For myself

sent, at any rate, I shall remain where I am, as if nothing had occ

get a good post for you. There are reasons why I do not wish you to stay at the fou

y. "Remember what you were when you were my age, and you wil

Marchant replied. "Nor do the latter set their faces agai

and, waving his hand, we

wn doing, one might not have felt the same for him. But I know that he has been the most cautious and far-seein

med Hal. "Why should

ney sold the mortgage, and the buyer has a very evil reputation. It is because of this that your father advises you to quit. Moses Steinkirk is the fello

rd and entered the shed, to find that the mold

he metal, sir,"

n a few minutes ago, and it will be as good a

castings usually turned out from here," Hal r

you and the guv' cleared off, and he said

her go," sang out the

er. "Now then, all of yer, bring th

ce, and which was by this baked almost as hard as stone. A second later a jet of white-hot fluid p

ith her, boys!" c

grasped the handles, and drawing the bucket to the orifice, tipped it. The fiery stream disappeared into the depths

m, up yer get, and see that she c

amework, and, taking a rod, commenced to ram it into

Tomkins. "It will take five hours for that to c

sir. Good-nig

d, and replying to them cheerfully, Hal