I will send you up to examine it

    Rodney had reason to be satisfied with his position as landlord of the Miners' Rest. His pay was large, and enabled him to put away a good sum every month, but his hours were long and he was too closely confined for a boy of his age. At the end of three months he showed this in his appearance. His good friend Pettigrew saw it and said one day, "Rodney, you are looking fagged out. You need a change."     "Does that mean that you are going to discharge me?" asked Rodney, with a smile.     "It means that I am going to give you a vacation."     "But what can I do if I take a vacation? I should not like lounging around Oreville with nothing to do."     "Such a vacation would do you no good. I'll tell you the plan I have for you. I own a small mine in Babcock, about fifty miles north of Oreville. I will send you up to examine it, and make a report to me. Can you ride on horseback?"     "Yes."     "That is well, for you will have to make your trip in that way. There are no railroads in that direction, nor any other way of travel except on foot or on horseback. A long ride like that with hours daily in the open air, will do you good.     What do you say to it?"     "I should like nothing better," replied Rodney, with his eyes sparkling. "Only, how will you get along without me?"     "I have a man in my employ at the mines who will do part of your work, and I will have a general oversight of things. So you need not borrow any trouble on that account. Do you think you can find your way?"     "Give me the general direction, and I will guarantee to do so. When shall I start?"     "Day after tomorrow. That will give me one day for making arrangements."