It was seldom that the creek was up more than five days at a time, and so this was a very favorable opportunity of testing the value of the line as a money-making concern.
It was urged, however, by the more sanguine members of the Board that this was not a fair trial.

There had been many expenses which probably would not have to be incurred again.
"But they didn't amount to so very much," said Kate, who, as Treasurer, was present at the meeting.

"Aunt Judy only charged a dollar and a half for Harry's board, and the boat was only a dollar.

And all the other expenses would have to be expected any time." After some further conversation on the subject, it was thought best to attend to present business rather than future prospects, and to appoint committees to collect the money due the company.
Harry and Tom Selden were delegated to visit the mica-mine people, while Harvey, Wilson Ogden, and Brandeth Price composed the committee to collect what was due from private individuals.
Before Harry started for the mica mine, he consulted his father in regard to charging full price for the telegrams which he carried across the creek in his pocket.
Mr.Loudon laughed a good deal at the transaction, but he told Harry that there was no reason why he should not charge for those telegrams.
He had certainly carried them over in the first place, and the subsequent double transmission over the wire was his own affair.
When Harry and Tom rode over to the mica mine the next morning, and explained their business and presented their bill, their account was found to be correct, and the amount of the bill was promptly handed to them.
When this little business had been transacted, Mr.Martin, the manager of the mine, invited them to sit down in his office and have a talk.
"This line of yours," said he, "is not going to pay you." "Why not ?" asked Harry, somewhat disturbed in mind by this sudden statement of what he had already begun to fear was an unpleasant truth.
"It _has_ paid us," said Tom Selden.

"Why, we've only been working it five days, on regular business, and we've cleared--well, we've cleared considerable." "That may be," said the manager, smiling, "but you can't have made very much, for you must have a good many expenses.