Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1894-01-13
CHAPTER XVI.
THE CZAR STRIKES.

THE CZAR STRIKES
While we were at breakfast the next
morning a well known knock at the dooi
was followed by the usual cheery formula
Good morning. Nine. Lucas. Fine
weather, isn't itf sM Taras in his studiot"
what can have brought out our friend
so earlyf" exclaimed Taras as Mere Lucas
admitted the visitor Welcome, George
Gordon"
Gordons broad forehead was beaded with
perspiration.
~ was anxious to catch you before you
went out, old man." he exclaimed, wiping
his face with 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
yet a cab, and--phewl the suns blazing"
Nothing unpleasant, hope, TO make
you expose yourself in this way"
Not bit of il. 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 ity"
Business"
"Business-you. George Gordon-impos
sibler
Its fact. I'll tell you all about it
when we get up into the studio"
mo, tell me now It's never too early to
hear good news"
"N ell. then-pardon me, mademolselle,
can't express myself in French-have you
found any one to burn your group yet
awhilet"
mo. have been to Cramps and Fisher
and Huds, No good. They're all fright
ened by III, .,lze. They haven't proper kilns
for the work and can't do it.
"Then will"
"You"
Eyes, I've invested capital in a 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 laurh. It's no joke, can tell you.
| never felt SO serious, so right down in
earnest, in all my life. You know my con-
science has been pricking me for some time
past There you go again. Can't man
have a conscience without being a 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 twitching Of Taras' mustache
as he bent over his tea that he found 1t diff
ficult To listen to this announcemtntw with
a serious face.
"Now. old Bell-you now Colonel Bell,
the fine 81 Gellow vino came with me about
a month ago to look at your work-his
feelings are Just like mine only-poor old
felow-he hasn't got the cash He's per
haps less concerned about the welfare Of
the laborng class than m-its you who
have worked nae up so tremendously In
that way-but he's quite as eager to invest
his capital in paying concern But the
worst of II is, you know, he's got so deuced
little of IL that he couldn't very easily do
anything of his own bat And for the sake
of his daughter he dare not venture IL In
very risky concern. You know he has
daughter"
Taras nodded, with humorous twinkle
In his eye and IA kindly smile,
"Kavanagh tells me she is a most beauti
full and charming young lady" he SAID
''She is, old man." Gordon said enthusi
astically, coloring up to his temples. "lou
must meet her. I've told her about Mile,
Aura, and she is most anxious to make her
acquaintanc
- DOuDLitsS, laTtS uOI bcSI1cu W Sstys
"She is awfully nice However, thst 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 thsarrangement were
the most natural thing in the world be
tween men of business and asked when the
idea had first struck Gordon,
..ul l. a 81, ,l,,,,y II han al
out of the affair and you expressed an opin
ion that it would bedifficult to find another
pottery where such work could be fired.
Ey the luckiest chance possible learned
the same day that Perry, round the corner
wanted to sell his works"
"The ginger beer bottle placer" Taras
asked with Il little ruefulness in his face.
'Oh, he does drain pipes as WELL But of
course we shall build a 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 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 sym.
pathize with your cause. That alone would
command my fortune. but look what a
start this job will give us-what an adver
tisementl''
Taras stretched out his hand and grasped
his friends in silence more expressive
than any verbal testimony Of his faith in
Gordon and recognition Of tbs generous