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