94 THK FOGY DAYS AND NOW; 



stock of pewter and go on with the business. He said the 

 world had to be supplied with these gallas buckles; that there 

 was a great future in the business for both of us; that my 

 engaging in the business would only help to advertise it ; that 

 it would take a number of factories to supply the demand ; 

 that he was willing to share both the fortune and the fame 

 with me. 



I purchased the factory, and was so elated with my invest- 

 ment that I came very near forgetting the errand upon which 

 my father sent me. It was not long before I was on my return 

 home with the valuable machinery in my breeches pockets, 

 engrossed in the contemplation of a great enterprise to be 

 established m the very near future. That night I tossed rest- 

 lessly on my pillow and couLln't sleep for pondering u|)on my 

 great scheme. I organized many brilliant plans for the future 

 operation, but determined to keep my counsel, for I had heard 

 it said that a wise man keepeth his own counsel. In my good 

 mothers kitchen I knew there were large numbers of pewter 

 spoons and plates, all of which I determined to capture and 

 convert into valuable articles of trade. I matured many im- 

 portant plans of procedure during that short night. 



Next morning I arose early and made a confident of black 

 Dan, my fathers hostler, who had often proved my faithful 

 friend and allie when I wanted a horse out of the stable at 

 night to ride fox hunting. With Dan, I held a protracted and 

 secret caucus, and it was agreed to go on a 'possum hunt (to 

 all intents and purposes), so after supper we tooted up the 

 dogs and sneaked all the pewter out of the kitchen, secured 

 an old bullet ladel for melting the metal, then repaired to a 

 deep hollow not far away, built a fire and started the factory. 

 Everything worked like a charm, the enterprise was a success. 



