The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1896-08-29
CHAPTER XIV.

If a bad beginning pressages good
ending, the two amateur company pro-
motors ought to have been well pleased,
but, such is the Inconsistency of human
nature, they were not. Wentworth was
the least depressed by the o1ninous
start, although he admitted that the
letter received from the manager of the
china mandatory asserting that the
spar shown to him was Of no particular
value, was serious setback. Kenyon
maintained that Melville and Brand, his
manager of the works, were either ig-
norant or falsifers of fact. The mineral,
he insisted, was all that he claimed it
to be.
II hardly see how that helps IFS" said
Wentworth. ''They can't be ignorant,
for they know how to make china, while
we don't. On the other hand why should
they lie to us? What object could
they have in not telling the truth? %
That was a question that John was
not prepa red to answer, so, being a sem
sible man, he remained silent.
When be read Edith Longworth's let.
ter he felt more encouraged, and, in
due time, William Longwcrth himself
wrote, asking for an appointment, say
ing he had reconsidered the matter, and,
if satisfactory arrangements could be
made, he would be glad to assist them in
forming a company.
When the three young men met in
Wentworth's Office, Longworth ap-
peared to have become reasonably en-
thusiastic about the project, but as
sured them that a company could not be
formed in the economical manner they
had intended. Much depended on ap-
pearances in the city; handsome Off
ces would have to be obtained. a good
firm of solicitors should be chosen and
there would be much printing and adj
vertising to be done.
Kenyon pointed out that all this re-
quired time and money, both of which
requisites were short.
eve are making q strike for & $4,000
each" said Longworth. calmly, focus.
ing his glittering monocle on Kenyon.
THAT sum of money is not picked up
in London every day, and it is never
picked up anywhere without taking
little risk. # you economic on your
kprat you will not catch your gudgeon.
"But we haven't the money to risk"
persisted Kenyon. =
''Then. my dear Sill" said Longworth,
'cease to fish for gudgeon, and return
to the highly respectable profession of
mining engineering. III am going to
Join you I can't afford to 60 on to Ger.
tain failure. If you cart pay for the
lottery ticket. it is foolish to expect to
draw the grand prize; now, isn't it?''
Wentworth, who knew more of the
city and it's ways than his partner did,
at once recognized the truth of Long
worth's theories on the subject.
You are quite right, Mr.. Long
worth" he said; land think that all
we need now discuss are the terms of
our agreement with each other ~,
"There will be little difficulty Oh that
score,' replied Longwortl. II will*taise
third Of the risk and third OF the
profits. it that is satisfactory to you, j
The agreementwa completed on this
basis, and Wentworth felt that q, long
step had been taken toward the
end desired. but Kenyon wondered why
their new partner had SO suddenly.
changed his mind. Offices were taken
near the bank. and much time and
money were spent in fitting them up.
BOTH Kenyon and Wentworth chafcd
Mt the delay. but their partner pointed
out that nothing was to be gained by I'M
due haste. Amy attempt to rush things
would have a bad effect in the city.