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Updated: June 1, 2025
There had been wet weather for several days, and although the rain-fall had not been great in the level country about Akeville, it had been very heavy up among the hills; and the consequence was, that the swollen hill-streams, or "branches" as they are called in that part of the country, had rushed down and made Crooked Creek rise in a hurry.
Martin and the mica-mine people and the Akeville people and Harry and Kate and all the boys and everybody black and white heard what had happened, there was great excitement. It was generally agreed that something must be done with George Mason. He had no more right to cut down that pole because he had once lived on the place, than he had to go and cut down any of the neighbors' beanpoles.
It was a fortunate thing for the Board that, on account of the sickness of the teacher, the vacation commenced earlier than usual in Akeville that year. More than a week passed, and no word from New York. No wonder the boys became impatient.
One day, when a meeting was in session by the roadside, near "One-eyed Lewston's" cabin or the Akeville telegraph station, as I should say George and Harry had a slight dispute, and Purvis took occasion to give vent to some of his dissatisfaction. "I don't see what you're President for, anyway," said he to Harry.
When the interest on the money advanced to put up the line, hire of operators, and other expenses, had been deducted from the amount due the Crooked Creek Company, there was only two dollars and a quarter to be paid to it! Harry was astounded. He took the money, rode back to Akeville, and hastened to have a consultation with Kate. For the first time since he became a guardian, he was in despair.
The blacksmith had seen nothing of Mason or the horses, but Tom Riley's horse was still there; and as the members of the party were all well known to the blacksmith, he allowed them to take the animal to its owner. So the five men rode the one horse back to Akeville; not all riding at once, but one at a time.
Harry was at the instrument on the Akeville side, and Mr. Loudon, Kate, and as many other persons as the room would hold, were congregated. As President of the company, Harry claimed the privilege of sending the first message.
His employer, a white man, who had the contract for carrying the mails, had also gone into another business which involved letter-carrying. A few miles back from the village of Akeville, where the Loudons lived, was a mica mine, which had recently been bought, and was now worked by a company from the North.
"How would 'The Mica Mine Telegraph Company' No, that wouldn't do at all. It isn't theirs. It's ours." "Call it 'The Loudon Telegraph Company," said Kate. "That would be nearer the thing, but it wouldn't be very modest, though people often do call their companies after their own names. What do you think of 'The Akeville and Hetertown Company'?"
The instruments and batteries, when not in use, were to be locked up in stationary cases, made by the Akeville carpenter, after designs by Harry. Of course, while waiting for the arrival of their goods from New York, the Board met every day. Having little real business, their discussions were not always harmonious. George Purvis grew discontented.
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