Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-06-07

present. persisted Tom Il may want 8
vacation before long I'll ask for it when
| do.
"All right. Don't be afraid to mention
it. Only do not wait till the busy season. -
For the next three weeks Tom stuck later
than ever to his little work shop, evenings.
and often toiled until the wee small hours
were tolled out by the lonely, solemn town
clock
At the end of that time he went to Mr..
Dunning with bright, almost happy-looking
eyes, yet with jaded exhausted air.
'Now, sir, want my vacation.
''Whew :" said Mr.. Dunning. We've
just got in some big orders you know
Il can't help it, sir, l must have a
week
You naast2"
I'm sorry, sir, but rather than not have
it I'd lose my place.
"Why, what the row, Shelly? Anything
going wrong?
NO, sir. l hope you'll pardon my per-
sistence, but can go for week p
"Well, yes said Mr. Dunning, refec-
lively, Il suppose so. You ought to have
taken it i'll the summer, though But
since you ask for only week, you shall
have it.
That night Tom packed something very
carefully in small box, bade his mother
good bye, and started for y ashington.
Upon my word, Shelly didn't know
there was SO much in you! !"
Tom Shelly and Mr.. Dunning were clos
eted together in the latter's private Office,
with some papers spread out before them,
and a small brass model of machine stand
ing ON the desk.
well, sir, since you approve of it, and
think it likely to answer its purpose, sup
pose we talk business.
''Business?'
Eyes. You have capital, and have the
patent. There's money in the machine, but
it will take money to bring it out -
Very true"
"Well, your capital invested in these
works is one hundred thousand dollars
III put in my invention at fifty thousand,
and own one-third of the establishment.
''Hal | should think you mightl''
Or if you like, will travel two months
and see how the thing takes before we mike
any agreement.
Don't you think you've got your ideas
up rather high on the matter?'
Perhaps | have, answered Tom, coolly !;
but | don't propose to go begging, and
let others grow rich out of what l ought to
have.
Such things are all ez zperimenta-sreae
risks"
y know, sir; but you see what it is, and
the need it supplies, and it is for you to say
whether you will run the risk Of taking hold
of it. -
Mr.. Dunning paused and reflected. Il
will look the matter oser, he said at length,
and you may come here to morrow eve
ming"
This was as satisfactory as Tom expected,
and so be withdrew.
When he went home he asked his mother
Ito whom he had confded naught of his
plans] how she would Ike to live in Judge
Graham house on Main street.
The Judge is going to Europe and wants
to sell :"
''What is that to US, Tom? We cant buy
his house.
well, we may be able TO some time
''Some timei What a way you have of
looking ahead, Tom
It's better to look ahead than behind, |
think"
Tom went up stairs, threw himself back
in u chair,and took Lucy Wares button out.
He fingered the memento over and over,
gazed on it, ana finally pressed it to his lips
stealthily, as if he feared some one might be
looking. Then he wondered what Mr.. Dun
ning's decision would be- and revolved in
his mind all the contingencies of success or
failure He slept bat little that night, for
his whole future hung on the interview of
twenty four hours hence.
New-year's night A silver wedding
Mr.. Dunning' 5 mansion was thrown open
and thronged with his friends, 1t was no
stately affair The children were there as