Jack Norths Treasure Hunt | Page 5

succeeded, the heavy iron wheel having broken the
imitation into kindling wood and smashed into the floor.
The cries of derision were supplemented by loud calls of admiration,
which rang through and through the old building until a perfect din
prevailed.

Fret Offut waited to see no more, but stole away unobserved by the
stalwart iron workers, who crowded around their victorious companion
with hearty congratulations. Jack had won the friendship of nearly all
by his feat, while Henshaw at once boasted of the act.
Mires, fancying that the laugh had been turned upon him, and he was
about right, allowed all of the bitterness of his sullen nature to be
turned against the young apprentice. In his wicked heart he vowed he
would humiliate Jack in the eyes of his admirers in some way and at
some time. But no opportunity came for him, as month after month
passed.
Jack showed a wonderfully industrious nature, and he never seemed
idle. When not at work he was studying some part of the ponderous
machinery about him, as if anxious to learn all there was to be known
about it. The knowledge he thus obtained was to be of inestimable
value to him in the scenes to come.
This trait of his pleased Henshaw, who, if a rough man, was honest in
his intentions, and he caused Jack's wages to be raised to seven dollars
a week. This was done in opposition to his assistant, who had taken a
strange dislike to him. His reasons for this will become apparent as we
proceed. About that time Jack was surprised to find that Fret Offut had
found employment in the building, though it was more as a helper than
as a regular workman, his chief task being to wheel the scraps of iron
and waste material away and to wait upon the boss of the big steam
hammer.
He did not offer to speak to Jack, but the latter soon saw him holding
whispered conversations with Mires and the second boss, Furniss,
when he felt certain by their looks and motions that he was the subject
of their remarks. Once he overheard Offut tell a companion:
"I sha'n't wheel scrap iron always and Jack North won't be boss, either."
Jack had been at the engine works about six months, when he
accidentally learned that the company were planning to ship one of
their machines to South America, and that they were looking about for

a suitable person to send with it, to help unload it properly and set it up.
A few days later, as he was leaving the shop to go home, Henshaw
came to him, saying:
"Let me put a flea in your ear, Jack. John Fowler has got his eye on you
for the one to go to South America."
Scarcely any other announcement could have brought greater joy to
Jack, for he had a great desire to travel, and this long journey would
take him away from home for many months, he felt it would be a grand
opportunity. But he knew that Furniss had been working for the place,
and he could not realize that such good fortune was to fall to him, so he
said to Henshaw:
"I thought that Furniss was sure of the chance. I heard him say as much
only yesterday." "A fig for Furniss! Old John had a long talk with me
this morning, and I told him you were just the chap for the place, young
and capable. He nodded his head and I could see that you were as good
as taken. Of course we shall miss you, but it's a trip a youngster like
you can't afford to miss."
"I should like to go, Mr. Henshaw, and I thank you for your kind
words."
"Don't cost nothing," returned the bluff foreman, as he started
homeward.
Jack was too happy over his prospects to mind the baleful looks of
Furniss the next day, or to hear the jibes of Fret Offut. Could he have
foreseen the startling result he must have been bound with dismay.
The following Monday, when the day's work was done and he was
leaving the shop, Mr. Henshaw came along, and slapping him on the
shoulder, said: "Let me congratulate you, my lad. It is just as I said; you
are going to South America,--if you will."
"It seems too good to be true, Mr. Henshaw." "It's the blessed truth and
I know it I don't blame you for feeling well over such an appointment,

for it is something any of us might be glad of. But you deserve it."
The appearance of Furniss checked Jack's reply. He could see the other
understood that he had lost. He had another proof of the fact before he
got home from