Part 19 (1/2)

”Bully for us!” cried Theo

”So I say!” rejoined Mrs Croyden with spirit

”It was the only thing to do,” admitted Mr Croyden ”We kept at it, too In 1829 a factory was opened in Jersey City which although not a success was the forerunner of New Jersey china-ton, Vermont, where the first Parian marble statues ever made in America were produced Baltimore was the next city to adopt the china trade, and afterward Trenton Most of this output was thick white graniteware, Rockingham, and stoneware; some of it was decorated, but most of it was plain white It was useful and durable, but very clumsy and heavy Subsequently the china industry localized itself until nohile there are h the country, New Jersey supplies about twenty-four per cent of our china, and Ohio forty-two”

”How did those States happen to elect themselves to make so inally governed the matter,” replied Mr Croyden ”Then there was convenient transportation for goods, a sufficient fuel supply, and an abundance of labor in the vicinity--all ele where factories are to be established Many of our potteries, however, are not located with these ends in view

Instead, chance has dropped therowth of tiny plants founded long ago before manufacture developed into the science it has since beco to trace, too, the varieties of ware that come from specific districts, for usually there is a reason behind each type of product For exainia they have an abundance of red clay which is used not only to make red earthenware, but also to coat the outside of casserole serving dishes, bowls, and tea and coffee pots YouIat home,” cried Theo instantly ”Red and shi+ny outside, and white inside”

”Exactly,” nodded Mr Croyden ”On the other hand many factories make only the heavy, indestructible china used in hotels and restaurants

This variety is a business in itself The ware is non-absorbent and is considered very hygienic Toilet sets as well as dishes are made from this especial sort of clay So you see each plant has its own particular specialty which has been decided largely by the native clays at hand Here at Trenton we turn out some of the finest porcelain lish if not the French wares, and it needs only the foreign trade-e But our people, alas, have not arrived at the pitch of patriotisan I hope this war htful place”

”Perhaps by the tis will be different,” ventured Mrs Croyden

”If I thought so I should be very glad,” came earnestly from her husband ”We have all the necessary clays here in our own soil; the only one we need to import is black clay What is now ent, trained, areat reproach to us that here in the United States we have so few schools to educate workht schools to teach pottery-land had several And in thehere in America? Aside from a few arts-and-crafts potters who of necessityno pottery-s if ish to keep abreast of the time, and compete with other nations”

”Theo can attend to that, too,” laughed Mrs Croyden

”We have cut out quite a program for you to work out in the future, haven't we, lad?” said Mr Croyden, relapsing into jest ”On the strength of it I suggest that you trot along to bed to get rested up so to be ready to undertake it”

Theo rose and with a ht they parted

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XIV

THE BEGINNING OF THE PORCELAIN PILGRIMAGE

[Illustration: I]

In accordance with Mr Croyden's plan Theo and his host stepped, the nextmotor-car and hirled to the porcelain factory

As they rode along the boy remained silent until he saw Mr Croyden lay down his paper; then he asked:

”How many persons in the United States do you suppose are ereat many,” was the reply ”Before the war there were about thirty-three thousand”

Theo gasped