Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-10-21
CHAPTER WI.


While we were at breakfast the next
morning a well known knock at the door
was followed by the usual CHEEKY formulas
Good morning, Mime. Lucas. Fine
weather, isn't it? Is NJ. Taras in his studioe"
What can have brought out our friend
so early" exclaimed Taras as Mere Lucas
admitted the visitor Welcome, George
Gordon"
Gordon broad forehead was beaded with
persPiration.
Il was anxious to catch you before you
went out, old man" he exclaimed, wiping
his face with a large handkerchief after
paying his devoirs to me in some choice
scraps of French and laying an uncut illus
trated magazine by my cup. Couldn't
get Il cab, and-phcw! the suns blazing"
Nothing unpleasant, hope, to make
you expose yourself in this way
Not a bit of it. But you'll never guess
what has drawn me out of my den at this
hour"
Il won't try. Never saw you out before
midday before. What is it,"
Business
"Business-you, George Gordon-impos-
sible!'
Its fact. I'll tell you all about it
when we get up into the studio"
NO, tell me now. It's never too early to
hear good news"
w eli, lllEIl- hit, L
cant express myself in French-have you
found any one to burn your group yet
nwhile:"
NO. l have been to Cramps and Fisher
and Hudson. No good. They're all fright
ened by the size. They haven't proper kilns
for the work and cant do it"
Then I will"
You
Yes, I've invested capital in pottery"
In order to help me out of my difficulty"
Not entirely. The fact is, "a kind of
moral awakening is at the bottom of it.
Don't laugh. It's 10 joke, can tell you.
l never felt so serious, 80 right down in
earnest, in all my life. You know my con-
science has been pUicking me for some time
past There You 80 again. Can't man
have a conscience without being a redhot
revolutionist like you2 / tell you l have
felt that my life has been misspcnt, and in
stead of lounging about doing nothing, ex-
cept waste my money, ought to occupy
myself and invest my capital in some in
dustry that would give employment to the
laboring Glass;
Gordon spoke with perfect gravity, but 1
saw by the twitching of Tar2s' mustache
as he bent over his tea that he found it diff
flcult to listen to this announcement with
a serious face.
NOW, Oll bGll-yOu Know OOlODel 1oell,
the fine old fellow who came with me about
a month ago to look at your work-his
feelings are just like mine only-poor old
fellow-he hasn't got the cash. He's per-
haps less concerned about the welfare of
the laboring class than l am-it's you who
have worked me up so tremendously in
that way-but he's quite as eager to invest
his capital in a paying concern. But the
worst of it is, you know, he's got so deuced
little Of it that he couldn't very easily do
anything off his own bat. And for the sake
of his daughter he dare not venture it in a
very risky concern. You know lie has n
daughterE"
Taras nodded, with humorous twinkle
in his eye and n kindly smile.
'Kavanagh tells me she is n most beauti-
full and charming young lady" he said.
''She is, old man." Gordon said enthusi-
astically, coloring up to his temples. You
must meet her. I've told her about Mile
Aura, and she is most anxious to make her
acquaintance.
Doubtless" Taras' nod seemed to say.
''She is awfully nice. However. that has
nothing to do with the affair. The thing
is that the old gentleman and have hit it
off completely. He quite jumped at the
proposal. OF course 1 take all risks"
Taras nodded, as if this arrangement were
the most natural thing in the world be
L"eGl men OF DuSlneSS. anu aSheu W1en the
idea had first struck Gordon.
THE very day that humbug H backed
out of the affair and you expressed an opin-
ion that it would bedifficult to find another
pottery where such a work could be fired.
BY the luckiest chance possible learned
the same day that Perry, round the corner.
wanted to sell his works"
THE ginger beer bottle places" Taras
asked with a little ruefulness in his face.
"Oh, he does drain pipes as well. But of
course we shall build new kiln-can't
make bricks without straw, you know
and get the best workmen that are to be
had. / haven't said a word on this matter
to any one for fear the negotiations might
fall through, but last night the affair was
concluded satisfactorily, and we enter into
possession at once. As soon as you are
ready the workmen can set about casting
the group, so that it will be dry and be
ready for burning by the time the kiln is
finished-of course, old man. supposing
that you are willing to give us the job"
"A proRer kiln and good workmen-I ask