Ruby's Reward — page 35: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The architect, who had been watching his progress with groab interest, and was well pleased with the way he hac conducted himself, willingly complied with his request, gave him a key to his office, where he could work comforbably, and began to iniciate him in the more intricale mysteries of his proj _ fession. This was work that just suited our hero, ‘and as time passcd, he became more and more inspired with a love tor hi, business ; his enthusiasm wased stronger, while he began to appreciate the wisdom that had directed bim to master the fundamental principles of construction. — Me Conant was surprised at the rapid strides that ho made, and soon allowed him to as-ist hin upon his plans. and often con- sulted him regarding points that required a good deal of thought and judgment. Towaid the lasu of the year Mr Conant contracted to prepare plans and superin- tend the building of an elegant new resi- denee, that was to be erected upon the banks of the Schuyliill and not very far from Fairmount Park, the beautiful public grounds of the city. There was wpon these plans con-iderable work (hat Iv Conantallowed Walter to share with him, anditw asnotlong before the young man became absorbed in it, and devoted 50 much time to 1b that his employer began to fear that his health would siler from such close application. But his enthusiasm | clid nob abate until the designs were com- pleted, and then he was as familiar with every dctail as the greet architect him- self. comidhoolss.com