If Harry and Kate had not worked out so thoroughly the plan of the company before electing the Directors, George would have given the rest of the Board a great deal of trouble.
When about four-fifths of the capital stock had been subscribed, and there was not much likelihood of their getting any more at present, the Board of Directors determined to go to work.
Acting under the advice and counsel of Mr.Lyons (who ought to have been a Director, but who was not offered the position), they sent to New York for two sets of telegraphic instruments--registers, keys, batteries, reels, etc., etc .-- one set for each office, and for about half a mile of wire, with the necessary office-wire, insulators, etc.
This took pretty much all their capital, but they hoped to economize a good deal in the construction of the line, and felt quite hopeful.
But it seemed to be a long and dreary time that they had to wait for the arrival of their purchases from New York.

Either Harry or one of the other boys rode over to Hetertown every day, and the attention they paid to the operation of telegraphy, while waiting for the train, was something wonderful.
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.

It had been a month, or more, since the scheme had been first broached in the village, and nothing had yet been done--at least, nothing to which the boys could point as evidence of progress.
The field of operation had been thoroughly explored.

The pine trees which were to serve as telegraph poles had been selected, and contracts had been made with "One-eyed Lewston," a colored preacher, who lived near the creek on the Akeville side, and with Aunt Judy, who had a log house on the Hetertown side, by which these edifices were to be used as telegraphic stations.