The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1900-01-11

we're to pay only s u, 600 for the prop
erty, it seemed hardly fair to initiate the
price to ten times that amount.
''Not 4 bit of it, John, said Went
worth, who was a practical man. IL
the mine will pay good dividend on
that amount, then that is the right
price for it. Now, we haven't any time
to lose, so we must get to work. The
first thing to do is to take these speci
mems Of spar to some man who knows
all about china manufacture, and find
what demand there is for it in this
country, and atwhat price. That I will
attend to. The next thing is to get
some good man who understands all
about the formation of companies to
join us. You spoke about the mine to
young Longworth on board ship, and
his name would be a great help to us in
the city. You go and see him, and in
terest him in the project if you can.
When these two tasks are accomplished,
we shall have made an excellent begin
Ming"
Wentworth was an energetic man,
who did not allow the grass to grow UNI
der his feet. He speedily discovered that
a Mr.. Melville was manager and part
owner of one of the largest china es-
adjustments in the country, with
offices in London, and this man he
sought an interview with, taking with
him some of the specimens of spar.
i l. - l.
IF you use this material in the making
of china. Is there much of market
for it, and at what price,"
Melville turned the specimen over and
over in his hand, examining it critically.
His great knowledge of his own bust
ness enabled him to instantly recognize
the value of the material, but his face
showed no eagerness or enthusiasm.
When he spoke it was not to answer the
questions, but to ask some on his own
account.
''Where does this come from?"
"From a mine in America
'Is there much of it there:''
II control a mountain of it,
REALLY. You are canvassing for or
ders, perhaps
mo. I intend to form company for
the working of that mine.''
'What price are you asking for the
property? Is the mine in operation, or
is it merely projected?"
1T is in operations; that is, it is being
operated as a mica mine, but my part
> ner, kenyon, who is a mining engineer,
says this is moro valuable than the
mica. We are asking 6 100000 for the
NINE"
THAT is very large sum- said Mel
vile, placing the specimen on the desk
before him. II doubt if you will get
: it,
''Well, we expect to getit. Kenyon is
. at this moment with Mr.. Longworth,
who spoke of joining us. Longworth's
r objection was that the sum asked was
S too small"
"Old John Longworth is a good man
e to be associated with in scheme of this
+ kind
6 II am speaking of his nephew, Will
/, liam Lcngworth.''
G "Ah! that is not quite the same thing
4 1 know both uncle and nephew. Did
you wish me to take stock in the COM
} pany?"
II should be delighted to have you do
t so, but what called for was to find out
t what you thought Of this specimen, and
= to get an idea of the demand there was
II for it,
h ''Well, candidly, L don't think much OF
! it. You see this kind of spar is one of
Il the most common things in nature"
/, ly?"
L "Perhaps not, but still pure enough
n for our purposes. If you will leave this
t specimen with me l will consult the
d manager of our works. l am merely
= giving you my own impressions; he will
l. be able to offer you a more definite
n opinion. If you will leave your address
t with me I will ask him to write to you.
; That will be more satisfactory
This was somewhat disappointing
but Wentworth had to make the best OF
a it, and the letter from the manager.
: when it ultimately came, was even more
y discomforting. The manager of the
e works asserted that the specimen sub
III mitted to him was of no commercial
E. value, SO far as he was able to judge.
Meanwhile Kenyon had Jared no bet
ter with young Longworth. Long
worth had some difficulty in recollect
:, ing that he had ever met Kenyon or
III shipboard or anywhere else, and he had
no remembrance of the mine at all
III He questioned John until he learned al
y, the engineer knew about the matter
~ ~ and then told his visitor abruptly that
IA him.
~ John Kenyon walked along Cheap
~ side feeling very much downheactet
=; over his. rebuff with Longworth. The
~ pretended forgetfulness of the youne