I went to bed
late, and, raising up my pillow to put my watch under it, I found a
note; it read:
"'Midnight, July 17.
"'DEAR JOE:
"'Just thought of that rule for changing counter-balance you
wanted. There has always been a miscalculation about the weight of
counter-balance; they are universally _too heavy_. The weights are
in pieces; take out two _pieces_; this treatment would even improve
a mule sweep. When once out, pieces should be changed or placed
where careless or malicious persons cannot get hold of them and
replace them. All is well; hope you are the same; will see you some
time soon.
"'JACK.'
"Here was apparently a fool letter from one young railroader to another,
but I knew well enough that it was from Rachel and meant something.
"I noticed that it was dated the _next night_; then I commenced to see,
and in a few minutes my instructions were plain. The old five-stamp mill
was driven by a mule, who wandered aimlessly around a never-ending
circle at the end of a long, wooden sweep; this pole extended past the
post of the mill a few feet, and had on the short end a box of stones as
a counter-weight.
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