Those who had invested a portion of their small means invested more, and those whose good angel had spared them from the sacrifice yielded to the glittering temptation, and joined their lot with their rejoicing neighbors.

Mr.
Belcher walked or drove among them, and rubbed his hands over their good fortune.

He knew very well that if he were going to reside longer among the people, his position would be a hard one; but he calculated that when the explosion should come, he should be beyond its reach.
It was a good time for him to declare the fact that he was about to leave them; and this he did.

An earthquake would not have filled them with greater surprise and consternation.

The industries of the town were in his hands.