Under the Star-Spangled Banner

the foundry, Hal Marchant was a very different individual f

dirt. Now that he was ready to go into the town, however, he was a spruce and dapper young gentleman. He had the manners of his fath

ed home, his thoughts were busy wondering what he would do, an

of fact that we have numerous orders, and must be making money. Why, then, should he not b

a business transaction, and that when the creditor had a power over the profits of the fo

length remarked. "I'll do my utmost to help, and al

e steps, opened the door with a latch-key. He paused on the

y whether he was at home by hearing his steps as he paced up and down the floor of his room. That was what first gave me a

He put his head through the doorway and inspected the apartment. But there was no sign of his father, and he was about to withdraw when a faint g

the eyes were closed. He placed his hand on the wrist and felt for a pulse without success. The

gasped. "Fa

the matter. Once more he felt for a pulse, and

," he said when the servant arrived.

" the girl exclai

se," Hal answered. "

id. "He died painlessly and swiftly. May we all do the same, for it is a merciful en

was ruined. To-morrow he would have been in the position of

The blow was a heavy one, and the life to follow would

before me, and I will make my way in it. This house will be sold, I suppose, and if all the debts cannot b

is already won," exclaimed the doctor. "But I hope that when all is sold no

l's hand and

Mr. Marchant's house had been sold, and, to Hal's relief,

as he sat over the fire. "

kins put his head into the room. "Hallo!"

m wondering what

'm wondering what would be good for you. H

gham, for it would bring back these last few days every time I passed the old home. I must work,

e risen to be manager. But I am leaving with my old master, for I cannot fancy the new. I'm lucky, too, for I've accep

thought the matter

said. "But I am determined to leav

," Mr. Tomkins said. "But

ell up in trade affairs, but I do happen to know that the Americans are very go-ahead in the matter of iron-works. They undertake bridge-building to a great extent,

ng is booming across the Atlantic, and there must be lots of openings for youngsters. There's something else besides. In good old England we're overcrowded, but in America there's a demand for chaps who k

ble, and I wish very particularly to do so, for while in this city I run the chance of meeting old friends. Besides

ting him on the back. "Now, look here, youngster, are you willing to rou

al answere

any a time for the foundry, and I've only to drop the manager a hint that you are w

," he said, "and I've come to the conclus

you are doing what is ri

and within a few minutes

hat can we do for you thi

come in behind? I want to speak

, what is it?" he asked. "I recognize your com

ca, to make his way in the world. Can you do a

could earn a pound and food besides t

in fact, I'd like to start r

a greaser aboard the Mohican. Will you take that? There!

said Hal. "I'll go on the Mohican;

ther's foundry. Good-day, sir; good-day, Tomkins. Excuse me, but

re in luck, Hal, for right from the commencement you get what you want. The rest will

hand and walked

he went into the street with a bundle over his shoulder. He entered a shop which

bundle, and displaying five suits which he h

said. "They're not the class o' to

They cost four times as many pounds,

ot a penny more,"

pounds for the

om me, young man. Go

nd at once did up the fastenings of his bundle. Th

gain." He inspected them closely; but it was merely a pretense, for anyone could s

them," Hal replied, gla

that the Mohican wo

rries very few passengers-some thirty in all. You'd better be aboard on F

wered. "I'll do my best to fill t

, and trudged from the station to th

way, and began to cross it. A notice above an al

ked along it till he came to a d

ight in," someone cr

ength on the settee. He was dressed in an old uni

eller can't no more get ter sleep u

d surveyed H

ou. I'm the new hand-

ips aboard the Mohican every time. What aer it? Rows w

Hal answered with a smile

quarters; there, along the alleyway. So long, young 'un, and when yer want a

a large cabin, above which was painted "Greasers." No one wa

Hal. "I'll put my bundle here

s a maze of machinery. Down below were one or two figures moving about. A wave of hot air asce

himself on the fact that he had some right to be where he