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 intelligent supervision progressed rapidly, and soon the crushers indicated that the mills were in operation.

At last the rails were laid to Nootwyck, and the village was in the buzz of excitement. From all along the route people assembled to celebrate the arrival of the incoming train, which was loaded with prospectors and new inhabitants. Mills was on the train and his uniformly gracious manner won him the good-will of these honest people.

The depot, which was to be a handsome structure, was under way, but a rude shanty answered the purpose now.

As the train swerved around a curve a shout went up, such as had not resounded in this peaceful valley since the days when they cheered, "Taxation of America."

Mills sprang to the platform, shaking hands right and left and dilating upon the future of the valley. He took a carriage for Wawarsing, where the next section of men was ballasting, and further still, Elisha Vedder with his skilled assistants was pushing on.