Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-12-10
CHAPTER XVI.
THE CZAR STRIKES.

49, E11
While we we're 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 it? Is M. Taras in his
studio?"
What can have brought out our
friend so early?" exclaimed Taras as
Mere Lucas admitted the visitor.
WELCOME, George Gordon"
GordOn'S broad forehead was beaded
with perspiratiOn.
II was anxious 10 catch you before
you went out, old man." he exclaimed,
wiping his face with a large handker-
chief after paying his devoirs to me in
some choice scraps Of French, and lay
ing an uncut illustrated magazine by
my cup. Couldn't get a cab, and
-phew, the suns blazing"
Nothing unpleasant, 1 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 be-
tore midday before. What is it?"
Business"
"Business-you, George Gordon, i'm
possiblel"
Its a fact. I'll tell you all about 1t
when we get up into the studio"
'NO, tell me now. It's never too early
to hear good news"
2tNN,1I HL., roWIAD - n,01npnAfC
ellie, I can't express myself in French
have you found anyone to burn your
group yet awhjle?"
"No. / have been to Cramps aud
Fisher aud Hudson. No good. They're
all frightened by the size. They haven't
proper kilns for the work and can't do
it,"
"Then I will"
YOU
"Yes, I've invested capital in 8 pot
terry"
I'm order to help me out of my diff
culty?"
mot entirely. The fact is, a kind Of
moral awakening is at the bottom Of it.
Don't laugh. It's no Joke, l can tell
you. l never felt so serious, so right
down in earnest, in all my life, You
know my conscience has been pricking
me for some time past There you 90
again. Can't man have q conscience
without being a redhot Tevolutionist
like your l tell you l have felt that
my life has been ~miSspent, and instead
Of ~lounging about doing nothing, ex-
cept waste my money, l ought to &C.
cupy myself aud invest my capital in
some industry that would give employ
meat TO the laboring class"
Gordon spoke with perfect gravity,
but I saw by the t%witching OF Taras'
mustache as he bent his tea that he
found it difficult to listen TO this an
nOuncement with a serious face.
"Now, old BeIl-you know Colonel
Bell, 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 perhaps less concerned
about the welfare Of the laboring class
than l ANTS you who have worked
me up so tremendously in that way
but he's quite as eager to invest mis-
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. Aud
for the sake OF his daughter he dare
not venture it in a risky concern. You
know he has a daughter?"
Taras nodded. with a humorous
twinkle in his eye and kindly smile.
"Kavanagh tells me she is a most
beautiful aud charming young LADY,"
be said.
''She is, old man, Gordon said enthu-
s|iastically, coloring up 10 his temples.
''You must meet her. I've told her
about Nile. 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 gentlemen and 1
have hit it of completely. He quite
Jumped at tae proposal, OF course
l take all risks.
Taras nodded, as II this arrangement
were the must natural thing in the
world between men Of business, and
asked when the idea had first struck
Gordon.
"The very day that humbug u
backed out Of the affair and you ex-
pressed an opinion that it would be
difficult to iud another pottery where
such work could be fired. By the luck
lest chance possible I learned the same
day that Perry, round the corner,
-o,ta6 ~ sell his works"
The ginger beer bottle placer"
Taras asked with q little ruefulness in
his face.
"Oh, be does drain pipes as we'll. BIT
Of course we shall build a new kiln
cans make bricks without straw, you