used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
approvedadjectiveUS /əˈpruːvd/
established by authority; given authoritative approval
From this reading Each workman on the entire job contracted for by Demarest, Spruce and Tillou had a dollar of his pay subtracted each month whether he approved or not, and this was his hospital fee.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence
From this reading It assured him of medical attention without other charges if he became ill.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading It assured him of medical attention without other charges if he became ill.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading It assured him of medical attention without other charges if he became ill.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
blanklyadverbUS /ˈblæŋkli/
in a blank and uncomprehending manner
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
blizzardsnounUS /ˈblɪzərdz/
plural of “blizzard” — a storm with widespread snowfall accompanied by strong winds
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
boardsnounUS /bɔːrdz/
(used in the plural) the stage of a theater
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
cause to be bored
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Each workman on the entire job contracted for by Demarest, Spruce and Tillou had a dollar of his pay subtracted each month whether he approved or not, and this was his hospital fee.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
chargesnounUS /ˈtʃɑːrdʒəz/
plural of “charge” — an impetuous rush toward someone or something
From this reading It assured him of medical attention without other charges if he became ill.
COLEnounUS /koʊl/
a hardy cabbage with coarse curly leaves that do not form a head
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
constructedverbUS /kənˈstrʌktəd/
past form of “construct” — make by combining materials and parts
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
contractedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːntræktəd/
reduced in size or pulled together
From this reading Each workman on the entire job contracted for by Demarest, Spruce and Tillou had a dollar of his pay subtracted each month whether he approved or not, and this was his hospital fee.
Demarest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Each workman on the entire job contracted for by Demarest, Spruce and Tillou had a dollar of his pay subtracted each month whether he approved or not, and this was his hospital fee.
dignifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪɡnəfaɪd/
having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
without deviation
From this reading There were perhaps fifteen hundred men working directly or indirectly under Demarest, Spruce and Tillou.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
dollarnounUS /ˈdɑːlər/
the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents
From this reading Each workman on the entire job contracted for by Demarest, Spruce and Tillou had a dollar of his pay subtracted each month whether he approved or not, and this was his hospital fee.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Each workman on the entire job contracted for by Demarest, Spruce and Tillou had a dollar of his pay subtracted each month whether he approved or not, and this was his hospital fee.
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading Each workman on the entire job contracted for by Demarest, Spruce and Tillou had a dollar of his pay subtracted each month whether he approved or not, and this was his hospital fee.
apart from; not including
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
expensivelyadverbUS /ˌekˈspensɪvli/
in an expensive manner
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
feenounUS /fiː/
a fixed charge for a privilege or for professional services
From this reading Each workman on the entire job contracted for by Demarest, Spruce and Tillou had a dollar of his pay subtracted each month whether he approved or not, and this was his hospital fee.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading There were perhaps fifteen hundred men working directly or indirectly under Demarest, Spruce and Tillou.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Each workman on the entire job contracted for by Demarest, Spruce and Tillou had a dollar of his pay subtracted each month whether he approved or not, and this was his hospital fee.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It assured him of medical attention without other charges if he became ill.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Each workman on the entire job contracted for by Demarest, Spruce and Tillou had a dollar of his pay subtracted each month whether he approved or not, and this was his hospital fee.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
a health facility where patients receive treatment
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
ten 10s
From this reading There were perhaps fifteen hundred men working directly or indirectly under Demarest, Spruce and Tillou.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading It assured him of medical attention without other charges if he became ill.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
indirectlyadverbUS /ˌɪndərˈektliː/
not in a forthright manner
From this reading There were perhaps fifteen hundred men working directly or indirectly under Demarest, Spruce and Tillou.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading Each workman on the entire job contracted for by Demarest, Spruce and Tillou had a dollar of his pay subtracted each month whether he approved or not, and this was his hospital fee.
JOSHUAnounUS /ˈdʒɑːʃuːə/
(Old Testament) Moses' successor who led the Israelites into the Promised Land; best remembered for his destruction of Jericho
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
knotholenoun
a hole in a board where a knot came out
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
medicaladjectiveUS /ˈmedəkəl/
relating to the study or practice of medicine
From this reading It assured him of medical attention without other charges if he became ill.
the force of workers available
From this reading There were perhaps fifteen hundred men working directly or indirectly under Demarest, Spruce and Tillou.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Each workman on the entire job contracted for by Demarest, Spruce and Tillou had a dollar of his pay subtracted each month whether he approved or not, and this was his hospital fee.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Each workman on the entire job contracted for by Demarest, Spruce and Tillou had a dollar of his pay subtracted each month whether he approved or not, and this was his hospital fee.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading It assured him of medical attention without other charges if he became ill.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
outskirtsnounUS /ˈaʊtskɜːrts/
outlying areas (as of a city or town)
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading Each workman on the entire job contracted for by Demarest, Spruce and Tillou had a dollar of his pay subtracted each month whether he approved or not, and this was his hospital fee.
by chance
From this reading There were perhaps fifteen hundred men working directly or indirectly under Demarest, Spruce and Tillou.
pinenounUS /paɪn/
a coniferous tree
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
having a point
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
Ragtown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
railroadnounUS /ˈreɪlroʊd/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
freed from illness or injury
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
resinousadjective
having the characteristics of pitch or tar
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
settlementnounUS /ˈsetəlmənt/
a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
shacknounUS /ʃæk/
small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
SprucenounUS /spruːs/
light soft moderately strong wood of spruce trees; used especially for timbers and millwork
From this reading Each workman on the entire job contracted for by Demarest, Spruce and Tillou had a dollar of his pay subtracted each month whether he approved or not, and this was his hospital fee.
stableadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪbəl/
resistant to change of position or condition
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
streaknounUS /striːk/
an unbroken series of events
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
subtractedverbUS /səbˈtræktɪd/
past form of “subtract” — make a subtraction
From this reading Each workman on the entire job contracted for by Demarest, Spruce and Tillou had a dollar of his pay subtracted each month whether he approved or not, and this was his hospital fee.
SURRENDERnounUS /sərˈendər/
acceptance of despair
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were perhaps fifteen hundred men working directly or indirectly under Demarest, Spruce and Tillou.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Each workman on the entire job contracted for by Demarest, Spruce and Tillou had a dollar of his pay subtracted each month whether he approved or not, and this was his hospital fee.
Tillou
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Each workman on the entire job contracted for by Demarest, Spruce and Tillou had a dollar of his pay subtracted each month whether he approved or not, and this was his hospital fee.
two-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading There were perhaps fifteen hundred men working directly or indirectly under Demarest, Spruce and Tillou.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading THE SURRENDER JOSHUA COLE recovered consciousness in the railroad hospital at Ragtown, and stared blankly at a streak of light that came in between the new pine boards of the walls and pointed out a resinous knothole in the floor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were perhaps fifteen hundred men working directly or indirectly under Demarest, Spruce and Tillou.
at the time that
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Each workman on the entire job contracted for by Demarest, Spruce and Tillou had a dollar of his pay subtracted each month whether he approved or not, and this was his hospital fee.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
which person or people
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It assured him of medical attention without other charges if he became ill.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading There were perhaps fifteen hundred men working directly or indirectly under Demarest, Spruce and Tillou.
workmannounUS /ˈwɜːrkmən/
an employee who performs manual or industrial labor
From this reading Each workman on the entire job contracted for by Demarest, Spruce and Tillou had a dollar of his pay subtracted each month whether he approved or not, and this was his hospital fee.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The shack which bore the dignified name of hospital was on the outskirts of the settlement, a two-room affair that, if it had been a little more expensively constructed, would have served well as a stable for mountain horses, who do not need shelter except when rare blizzards rage.
