It was a beautiful evening not long after Jasper had been at the Sign of the Maple, that he was sitting with David and Betty in the accustomed place.  The captain had retired, and Mrs. Peterson was busy in the kitchen.  Jasper told of the progress that had been made at the falls and how the engineers had finished their preliminary work, and had declared the undertaking most feasible.  The definite start of building would not begin until the next spring, though in the meantime necessary preparations would be made so that the work could be pushed forward then as rapidly as possible.  Logs would be needed for building purposes, and many large poles suitable for carrying the wires to the city and throughout the country.

“I have been requested to undertake this work,” Jasper told them, “and so will be busy all the fall and winter.  In a few weeks I hope to have a number of men and teams at work in the woods.  It will be a fine thing for Creekdale as it will put so much money in circulation by giving employment to all available men during the winter when as a rule little is going on, so I understand.”

“Oh, won’t that be nice,” Betty exclaimed, while her eyes danced with animation.  “My brother will be able to earn money right at home.  Jimmy has been planning to go to the city next winter to earn some money to help pay off the mortgage on our place.  Mother doesn’t want him to go as he is only sixteen, but he thinks he should be earning something.”

“You have some fine trees on your place, have you not?” Jasper asked in reply.

“Oh, yes, lots of them.  You see, our farm is part of the old Dinsmore Manor, and no logs have been cut on it for years as they have not been worth much.  My father said before he died that they would bring a lot of money some day, and they would make us rich.  That’s why mother has been holding on to the place and trying to pay off the mortgage.  But she finds it hard work.  Jimmy works for the neighbours, but Steve and Dora can’t earn anything yet.  I am helping all I can.”

“Those trees are very valuable now,” Jasper remarked.

“Have you seen them?” Betty asked, in surprise.

“Yes, I have been all over the place, and there are acres of the finest trees I have ever seen.  We shall need many of them, that is, if your mother will sell.”

“Won’t that be great!” and the girl clapped her hands with delight.  “I know she will sell if she can get a fair price for them.”

“There should be no trouble about that, Betty.  Logs are higher than they have been for years, and those who own them are fortunate.  The company wants only the best and is willing to pay a good price, so I believe.  But there is something I would advise your mother to do.”

“What is that?”

“Keep a sharp look-out upon those trees.  The city Light and Power Company, of which Mr. Sinclair is manager and principal owner, has land right next to yours.  Most of the best trees have been cut there for poles, and it is only natural that envious eyes should be east upon your mother’s valuable property.  Mr. Sinclair does quite a lumbering business on his own account, so I understand.”