Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1893-12-22
CHAPTER XVI.
THE C1Ap arpTVEo

While we were at breakfast the next
morning a we'll known knock at the door
was followed by the usual CHEEKY formula:
Good morning. Nine. Lucas Fine
weather, isn't its Is NJ. Taras in his studioi"
What can have brought ont our friend
so early2" exclaimed Taras as Mere Lucas
admitted the visitor. Welcome, George
Gordon"
Gordon's broad forehead was beaded with
perspiration.
Il was anxious to catch you before you
went out, old man." he exclaimed, wiping
his face with large handkerchief after
paying bis devoirs to me In some choice
scraps Of French and laying an uncut illus
trated magazine by my cup. Couldn't
get q cab, and-phewi the suns blazing"
Nothing unpleasant, hope, to make
you expose yourself in this way"
Mot a bit Of it. But you'll never guess
what has drawn me out Of my den at this
hour"
II won't try. Never saw you out before
midday before. What is iti"
Business"
"Businsss-you. George Gordon-impos-
siblel"
"It's fact. I'll tell you all about it
when we get up into the Ntudio."
mo. tell me now. It's never too early to
hear good news"
well. then-pardon me, mademoiselle, i
can't express myself in French-have you
found any one to burn your group yet
awhilei"
mo. 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 can't do it."
'Then will"
"YouP
"Yes, I've invested capital in q pottery"
I'm order to help me out Of my difaoulty."
mot entirely. The fact IL, . kind Of
moral awakening II at the bottom Of 1t.
Don't laugh. It's no joke, I can tell you.
! never felt 90 serious, 20 right down in
earnest, in all my life. You know my con-
science has been pricking me for some time
past There you 90 again. Can't . man
have . conscience without being . redhot
revolutionist like your tell you ! have
felt that my life has been misspent, 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 class"
Gordon spoke with perfect gravity, but
saw by the t@itching Of Taras' mustache
q he bent over his tea that he found It diff
dcult to listen to this announcement with
. serious face
"Now, old Bell-you know Colonel Bell,
the fine old fellow who came with me about
. 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 am-it's you who
havs worked me up % Tremendously in
that way-but he's quite a. eager to invest
his capital in . paying concern. But tho
worst OF 1t II, you know, he's got 20 deuced
little Of it that he eouldn't very easily do
anything of his own bat. And for the sake
Of his daughter he dare not venture It in a
very risky concern. You know he has a
daughter"
Taras nodded, with humorous twinkle
In his eye and kindly smile.
'Kavanagh tells meshe ID q 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 MICA However. that has
nothing to do with the affair. The thing
is that the old gentleman and have hit It
of completely. He quite jumped at the
proposal OF course take all risks"
Taras nodded, as il this arrangement were
the most natural thing in the world be-
tween men Of business, and asked when the
idea had first struck Gordon.
1.-The very day that humbug H backed
- q L. =.
lon that it would bedifficult to find another
pottery where such a work could be fired.
By the luckiest chance possible learned
wanted to sell his works."
1.-THE ginger beer bottle placer" Taras
asked with 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 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 1t will be dry and be
ready for burning by the time the kiln is
uuAonCu COuEocs ctu SuppOSluR
that you are willing to give US the job"
IA proper kiln and good workmen-I ask
for nothing more than that"
"You may depend on having them. Any
thing is to be had for money. and shall
be only too glad to put mine to such good
use. You know how thoroughly l SYM
pathize with your cause. That alone would
command my fortune, but look what q
start this job will give us-what an adver-
tisementv
Tsras stretched out his hand and grasped
his friends in a silence more expressive
than any verbal testimony Of his faith in
Gordon and recognition Of the generous
motive that underlay his scheme.
We saw a great deal of Gordon during
the following week. On the Saturday
there was long consultation in the work
shop with two Of the cleverest men in the
trade with respect to the casting Of the
group, which had now received the Last
touch, and it was agreed that on the Mon
day following the operation should be be-
gun. Taras told me this when the work
men were gone. and ! found him in the
workshop. There he stood before his work
with folded arms, and after regarding it in
silence for few minutes he said with i'm
pressive force:
This IL the finest work have ever done
In INV life Aura I am v,ooud ~ IL -