CHAPTER 1
Aaron woke up as he did every morning, quickly getting dressed, wolfing down his porridge, and headed down to his shop. He was only 17, had worked at Dalrimple's spin and weaving factory for only five years, but he was bright and conscientious so he was responsible for running “shop”, the place where looms spinners and all other any other equipment associated with producing cloth was repaired and maintained. Aaron picked up a rod he'd removed from a loom last night, some brass tubing and stated a fast walk to a machine shop that made a lot of parts for him. He was hailed by a friend and had to stop. He greeted Silas, in surprise, he didn't usually see Silas so early. Silas a peculiar friend for someone who worked in industry. Silas was the supervisor of a group of waif's and delinquents who preyed on anyone who was not careful and watchful. They had become friends when Aaron attacked some boys who were attacking a young girl, one of Silas' waifs. From then on Silas gang left employee's at Dalrimples alone, and when Silas acquired a knife or some sort of tool that might be valuable if repaired, Aaron would use his connections to arrange for repair.

“Hello Aar! Glad you're about early!”

Aaron liked being called Aar. It was unique. He smiled. Silas pulled Aaron into a storefront, and pulled a small flint lock pistol out of a sack he was carrying. “We got this pistol in a fight with some Westies-- I was wondering if you could fix it? The hammer's busted.”

“Sure I can, but why, It'd be no good for the stuff you and your boys do! Too slow and unreliable.”

“It'd be mostly for show. It'd scare people if you could put them down fifty feet away. Have you heard about percussion caps?”

I've heard a little- so you were wondering about adapting to a percussion cap? Supposedly make the pistol a much better weapon. Sounds like a good idea to me. I'll look into it”. Aaron took the gun and sack said goodbye to Silas, and walked on to the machine shop. The machine shop was a large building with several water powered bellows and forges, several watered powered hammers, and a few water powered grinding wheels.

Aaron walked into the shop, found the manager and pulled out a rod from the the loom he and “Rotor” had disassembled last night. Wear had enlarged the hole where the rod attached to the guide so that the end off the rod would wobble rather than work smoothly back and forth. The wobble then caused the loom to occasionally “stick”. Aaron and Rotor had removed five of the worst rods and they were going to have the machine shop press brass fittings into the holes. Instead of a wood -wood contact between the rod and it's guide there'd be a brass -wood contact. The result would be a smoother running machine, and reduced wear on the rods and the guide. That was what was unique about Aaron. He was never satisfied with fixing a machine, he insisted on finding wear and stress points and and improving them with brass or iron so his machines were the smoothest, most durable in all of London. Normally the machine shop would take at least a day for such an order, but he got them to promise 5 parts by mid afternoon, then another 100 in three days. He was back to the office in less than an hour, and went directly to Mr Dalrimple

“I'll have the loom back up by the end of the day. I ordered five replacement rods for later today and 100 replacement rods in three days. We''ll get the loom going this afternoon, and replace all rods with any sign of war during routine maintenance. “

Mr Dalrimple asked “How many of these looms do we have?”

“Only seven, but we can sell some of these improved rods to other textile factories.”

“No, don't do that, this sounds like the sort of improvement we want to keep to ourselves. Well, it'll be OK to sell to Smithers and to Fitch. We do try to cooperate with those two, but no one else”. Get someone else to pick the parts up, a lawyer has asked me to make you available at 2:00 today. He'll be here with your brother Adam”

“That's great! I always love to see Adam, don't know why he's coming with a lawyer though.”

Aaron went down to the production floor, and watched over the looms that were working to be sure they didn't generate any delays. He needed a high level of operation to compensate for the loom that would be down until he got the replacement rods and installed them. He found Rotor. Rotor was the man who'd been repairing and maintaining equipment for twenty years He was called “Rotor” because from the time he started working at Dalrimples he been fascinated by lathes. Rotor kept the lathes operating at their best, but he didn't have Aaron's talent with the other machines. Aaron could fiddle with a loom or spinner for twenty minutes and he would have learned and memorized its workings, it's weaknesses, and could tell you which parts would need to be replaced soon. Even though Aaron was twenty years younger than Rotor, he was in charge of the maintenance and repair shop.

As two o’clock approached Aaron sent a runner to pick up the five replacement rods, and told Rotor to start installing them as soon as they arrived. He tidied up a bit, then went to Mr Dalrimple's office to meet with William and the lawyer. While he waited he asked Mr. Dalrimple “Do you know anyone who's had a Flintlock converted to percussion caps.?”

Mr. Dalrimple thought a minute-- “ The Coleman family all love to hunt Ducks. If anyone knows anything about this they would. You could go there, tell them about our problem with the rods on our looms and try to assess what we could get for sharing your solution. Don't let them know that you've done anything yet, they'd start sending visitors to see if they can steal your adaptation. Ask Coleman about percussion caps on fowling guns and he'll want to talk for hours. Aaron waited a brief time, then William and the lawyer showed up, along with a well dressed gentleman Aaron had never met, and the meeting started.


The Estate

William started the meeting. I regret to inform you that my uncle, Phineas Bennet has died, and his estate is entailed to me. I'm far too busy to take responsibility for the property, so I'm renouncing my claim to my brother, Aaron the next in line. Mr Cooper is the lawyer who will handle this, I'm asking you, Mr Dalrimple to be witness for this, along with Mr Darcy.

Mr Darcy spoke then. I'm also here as a friend to the Bennett family. I'm much indebted to the Bennet family for the kindnesses they have showed me in the past and I'm going to attempt help in any way I can.

This didn't surprise Aaron at all. Mr Bennett had been generous to many. He remembered that Mr Bennett had covered Adam's expenses in seminary, and had paid Aaron' apprentice fee when he went to work for Dalrimple. He also recalled when his mother had problems working due to health, Mr Bennett had helped. He made a mental vow at that point that the Bennett widow and daughters be the beneficiaries from his administering the Bennett estate. The lawyer took over, and quickly got all necessary documents signed and notarized. As everyone left Aaron noted how Mr Darcy gave a respectful bow. He was thinking-- I've gotta learn to be as slick as that.

Mr Dalrimple spoke. “Aaron. It's very pleasing to have an estate that will comfortably support you, but I earnestly suggest you not abandon the textile business. You're far too bright to spend your time riding about your estate tallying up rent and playing cards. I'm willing to reduce your hours to four days per week so you can spend weekends on you manor, at no reduction in pay! Hire someone to do the manorial management. A lot of people can do that but only you keep keep all this machinery running like you do.”
Aaron looked at Mr Dalrimple's pleading face and almost agreed on the spot. “You're probably right sir , but I need to assess Longbourne before I make a final decision. May I leave early friday so I can go to my estate?”
“ Absolutely, and you can take my horse, it'll be faster”

Aaron looked at Dalrimple's face and realized he had an obligation to Dalrimple . He had to have a way to not penalize Mr Dalrimple for counting on him.

Aaron smiled at Mr. Dalrimple, “ I'd better go see how Rotor is doing with that loom.”

The loom, it was almost ready. Rotor didn’t have a deep grasp of the complex actions of the machines, but he was fast at getting things done. Aaron helped finish the rods, then they rigged a trial run to be sure it was weaving satisfactorily. After they were sure the machine was working they rounded up two apprentices and they carried the loon back to production. The four of them quickly got the loom installed and the supervisor went to find an operator for the machine. An apprentice stayed to operate the machine temporarily. Jack stayed was an amiable friend who entertained Aaron with his stories from when his father had been an estate manager.. Everyone liked Jack but he had no particular talent such as bookkeeping, mechanics, textile artistry, marketing, so he was one of the apprentices who would probably not be kept after the apprenticeship was over.

Aaron asked “Your father was an estate manager?”

“Yes, a very good one. I’ve told you how he got fired because an accountant falsified the accounts. to make it look like my father was stealing. A few years later they discovered the truth, but my father could never get another job except as a farmer. That's what he's doing now.”

“If you suddenly become an estate manager, what's the first thing you’d do?”

“You've go to audit the books, but you also have to get to know your tenants. Find out which ones are making you richer, get rid of the ones that are making you poorer. I'd say hire a professional auditor if you can afford it so you can focus on getting operations going the way you need.”

“If you're sure the previous owner was honest, do you need to audit.”

“ An Audit will check if all tenants are paying what;'s due. If they're not, it'll be easier to get rid of them at the start. Why are you asking, are you getting that estate entailed to your brother.? “ Jack hesitated , interjected “I'd be a lot help figuring what to do. If the farm has been going with only a country gentleman for estate manager there’s going to a lot small problems, probably a few big problems . I worked alongside my father for twelve years and have seen him deal with every problem imaginable. Aaron had heard a lot of stories from Jack, and he was sure that was true….. I'll work for meals and a place to stay until we get the estate operating as a well run estate can. Any spending money I need I'll do some day labor, or use my savings from when I worked here. I think once I've demonstrated what I can do for your estate, I'll be able find an estate manager position….. Mr Dalrimple is a fair man, and I’m grateful to him for what I’ve learned, but I’ll never be happy in London “

“That's a fair offer…., it’s a deal Jack! ” From hearing Jack’s stories he was sure that making an estate operate at full potential was difficult, and he was glad he’ have jack to help.


The Bennets

The week was over very fast, Aaron did find the time to go to a gunsmith, talk to one of the technicians, see some adapted fowling pieces so he thought he could adapt a flint lock into a percussion cap weapon. He could tell that the owner of the shop was impressed at how quickly he grasped what had to be done, and hurriedly left before the owner offered him a job. He found one of Sila’ waifs, and sent a note to Silas that he knew how to do the adaptation, and would give him the adapted pistol in a week or two. He got up early friday morning, packed a lunch, and started of toward Longbourne. The horse was pretty old, and not used to such long rides but Aaron kept the horse at a sustainable pace so he'd get to Longbourn by late afternoon. The family saw him coming and greeted him outside the front door. The Bennets had farm laborer who watched over their two horses along with farm duties. He took Aaron's horse to the stable. The family was genuinely surprised to see Aaron.

“Oh, so you didn't get my letter, I posted it for special delivery so you'd get it.”

Kitty spoke up “We got it, we just didn't open it”At that Mrs Bennet looked quite annoyed, and all the daughters looked at their Mother in embarrassment. Aaron guessed that Mrs Bennet had refused to allow anyone to open the letter. Anecdotes of Mrs Bennet's behavior had led Aaron to conclude that Mrs Bennet was probably supremely illogical, and he'd have to be sure she had no control of the household. This event reinforced that conclusion.

“I'll be here tonight and Saturday night. I was thinking Lydia's bedroom should be available.”

Mrs Bennet spoke. “Oh no we can't possibly find room for you!”

Kitty spoke up again spoke up again. “Mother, you're being silly! Of course there's room for Mr Collins in his own house. Please don't embarrass us!”

At that tears formed in Mrs Bennet's eyes and she rushed upstairs.

Elizabeth bowed, started upstairs with her mother but stopped long enough to say “ I'm sorry Mr Collins, my mother has always been one to obey every impulse and whim. We'll all do our best to moderate her behavior, but often we won't succeed. “

Aaron smile warmly, it's a pleasure to meet my cousins. He turned to the other sisters, and you'll be Kitty— and Mary --my pleasure.” He bowed thought to himself, I’ve got to learn bow with all the grace he saw from Mr. Darcy. Then he asked “Where's Jane!”

Kitty spoke “ It's so romantic! Mr Bingley rode to Meryton to offer his condolences at father's death, but he couldn't contain himself. He swore he couldn't bear to see the only woman he'd ever loved so unhappy, and pleaded with her to elope with him on the spot. It took a day to get the formalities done, but they've eloped. Mr Bingley's sisters were quite put out, and found another place to live. And Jane has gone to live with Mr Bingley in London.”

Aaron answered“Oh, that is touching!! I’m so happy they each found a person they loved!”

Aaron handed his small bit of luggage to Mary, will you please put this in the room I'll use tonight. Who is best to show me around the farm?”

The man who'd put up Aaron's horse spoke “I think that will be me, sir.”

Mary spoke “ and I too. If that's ok with Mr Collins”

“Splendid!” Lead on please!”

They explored the stables, the outbuildings, the livestock sheds, the basements, leading to the quite normal conclusions that much space was wasted. In two cases maintenance had been so badly neglected that the building needed to be demolished. Two facts were clear, Jack was going to have a lot of work to do to get the farm back up to the what a manorial farm should be, and most importantly, Aaron didn't have the funds needed to do all the work needed.

“Let's go back to the stables, now. I need to see the smithy set up.”

The smithy set up had been for more than just horseshoes and tool repair. It had harnesses for a horse powered bellows, a track for the horse to power the bellows, ( now blocked by haybales) and it appeared he’d have the set-up needed to repair wheels for carriages, and carts . The tools associated with a smith were there, and it appeared Aaron believed he could get the smithy back into operation with the funds he had. He could then use the smith to repair and manufacture simple tools and carts, repair carriages. He was guessing he could use a power take off point to turn a boring tool, and a power take off was set up to drive a mechanical hammer. With that he could adapt flintlock pistols and muskets to percussion cap. His guess was he could generate a substantial income from that, then use that revenue to improve his farm. There were some rooms above the stable now used mostly for hay storage, but he could move the hay to an outbuilding, and use the upstairs for his sleeping quarters and offices. His plan was becoming clearer and clearer. He'd need to resign from Dalrimples as soon as he could set processes up to keep all Mr. Dalrimples equipment maintained . He’d probably need to come in to Dalrimples once per week . The time to get back and forth was a day each way, so he had a problem. He heard Mary calling him into dinner. He stopped at the well to wash and tidy himself, and joined the family for Dinner.

Elizabeth apologized that Mrs Bennet was “indisposed” and would eat in her room. From the look on everyone's faces Aaron guessed that this was common. The meal was simple, a mutton roast, cooked carrots, a fresh salad with a flavorful dressing, homemade bread with butter and a custard for dessert. Far better than what Aaron was used to. The conversation was about what Aaron had seen today, though he didn't mention the neglected maintenance.

Elizabeth spoke up. “I'm sorry the place is not better maintained. Our father was far too tolerant of our mother's extravagances, and frequently diverted spending toward her demands rather than to maintaining the farm. I assure you we will be supportive of your efforts to control her impulses.

Aaron was thinking “My God, what a woman! Mr Darcy must have been under appalling pressure from his family and friends to call off their wedding. Maybe she called off the wedding herself rather see Mr. Darcy go through the disgrace he would have endured.”. Aaron realized he needed to respond.
“Hopefully some plans I'm making will allow her some extravagance.”

From the look on Elizabeth's face he guessed she was very curious, but also somewhat skeptical.

I was thinking that tomorrow I should meet some of our best tenants. I 'd like a chance to assure them that their leases will not be affected. Maybe after that I can meet some of our worst tenants so I can think of how we'll deal with them.

Kitty spoke up. “Father was planning to evict the Jarrell's and the Marsh's. He spoke to the constable but for some reason they're still there.”

Aaron thought about this as he finished his dessert. He went to his room, got a change for his shirt and underwear, a washcloth, towel, and some soap. He bathed in the stables as he was not accustomed to sharing a washroom with women. After bathing he went to the library, saw that Elizabeth used the desk to record expenses and income, and spent some time studying them. The books were in good order, with complete annotations where needed. Some funds were set aside for household maintenance and repair, so he wouldn’t have to rely strictly on his own cash for the repairs he needed to do and for setting up the repair shop. He found paper and pen and took some time recording what he's seen, then went to bed.

The next morning Aaron was up early, went to the kitchen. “I'd prefer a quick simple breakfast, so I can get an early start.”

Elizabeth came into the room, “That's not surprising. I guess in industry that's normal. Actually in farming that's normal also in harvest and planting time. I'll go see what I can do. Would you like a cup of tea while you wait. We don't have coffee, I can arrange to order coffee if that's what you like?”
“ I drink cocoa instead of coffee. Later on when I have businessmen over, we'll probably need coffee, but that's several months away so let's wait on ordering coffee.”
“Yes sir, and anytime you want cocoa, tell whoever's in the kitchen. We always have cocoa.in the kitchen. We Bennett's did enjoy a few indulgences. She laughed quietly”

Aaron wolfed down a piece of toast, a small bowl of barley gruel, and two glasses of milk. He loved the milk. It was rich, the kitchen had heated it up enough to drive off the unpleasant taste that frequently came with raw milk. He was having a recurring thought. I'm going to like living here.”

Aaron got up. “I'll go get my horse ready.”

To his surprise Elizabeth bustled right behind him. “You'll need me, I'm the one who can tell you all about each tenant. How many children, which ones use their love to get children to pitch in, which one's beat their wife and children.....”

“I won't allow that ! Beating children only makes them devious and vicious. I don't know how I'll stop them, but if I have to I'll eject every family member before I let someone exhibit that kind of … behavior. It's destructive to the spirit of the community.” They rode for a few minutes, and stopped at small home surrounded by several outbuildings.

“G'morn yer honor welcome to my home.”

“You have a beautiful home here, sir, I don't see any children”?

“Yep our youngest left for the navy a few months ago... young men have to have their adventures! Our daughters are married. One's married to a deputy constable, so no one ever tries to give me trouble.”

Aaron laughed warmly, “...and are any of your sons thinking about moving in with you, help with your farm , so he can take over your lease?”

“So you're amenable to that? If I tell him you would be, it might help him decide.”

“Definitely, and any other of your other sons too. I expect a few of my tenants are laggards and I'll need to get more lessee's like yourself.”

A brief silence... Aaron spoke “I’m sure you need to get to work, I'll be seeing you., sir...” and they rode off.

“I didn't tell him that I'm going to have an estate manager... a long silence.. I think I'd enjoy dealing with tenants like we just met, but I have a friend who's been a farmer until a few years ago. I'll use his knowledge while I use my knowledge to establish a business doing things similar to what I did in London.”

Elizabeth finally spoke..”..mmmm.. a business enterprise at Longbourn. Probably necessary. I've been to lectures where they've talked about how this is an old system, suited to the past. The manor generates a substantial income but no longer enough for the consumption options a person of the manorial class expects. Sh laughed….. and here comes Mr Aaron Collins with a plan, let the lord of the manor not be merely a gentleman farmer, but also a person with considerable business acumen. Yes... yes.. I sure hope you succeed.”

Another long silence...I looked at your accounting records last night. It was very well done. Far better than my friend could ever do. I hope you'll continue to do that, and maintain accounts for my business too. It'll cause some friction between you and Jack, but he needs to learn that women are frequently smarter than their male counterpart”. They toured twelve farms, most were not as successful as the first. At one the owner refused to come out to talk to them. The farm seemed to be well tended, though with a shortage of fowl and pigs.


Elizabeth explained. “Father talked to his neighbors. He has neighbors work the farm for shares, he lives off his share, but has nothing left to pay rent. My father has twice demanded that the constable evict him. He was planning to meet with the Magistrate but his death intervened.

A silence. Aaron spoke “ I'll have to compose a letter to the magistrate today, That's disastrous to the whole structure of the manorial system.

A silence....Elizabeth spoke. “I composed a letter for my father, we can modify it as needed and get it off on tomorrow's post.”
The last tenant wouldn't come out to meet them. He wife said he was ill. As they rode off Elizabeth explained. He's always sick in the morning, then later in the day recovers enough to spend the evening at the pub, where he's well liked. My father was was going to evict him , but first he wanted to find a family willing to take in the two children. I can talk to some families about that if you'd like.
A long silence.... yes please do. I was thinking how fortunate I am to have you to guide and help me with this estate. …. I have vowed to myself and now to you that my management of the estate must leave you and your sisters as well off financially as if your father were still alive. Your being a capable accountant will make it much easier to accomplish that.”

Elizabeth sighed. Aaron was thinking “Yes, I can't see how no marriage offer can compare with the one from Mr Darcy of Pemberley.” but he certainly didn't say anything to Elizabeth. They arrived back at Longbourne and dinner was soon served. They were both famished since all the long day they had had only a pasty and a beer at a pub that was only some benches and tables spread under a tree. They enjoyed a leisurely and excellent dinner. One of the tenants had sent a freshly caught carp, and they had a rabbit that had been raised in the cages at Longbourne. The vegetables were picked just hours before dinner and were succulent and tasty. Once again the desert was a custard made from the eggs, milk, and honey from Longbourn They used duck eggs so the custard was very rich. The family went for a short walk, with the two younger daughter walking alongside Aaron so they had some time to become acquainted. After the walk Aaron and Elizabeth composed a letter to the magistrate asking for his help in evicting the tenant who was using income to pay for laborers and instead of paying rent. Elizabeth spoke “I’m suspicious that the constable didn’t evict him already. He may have one of his relatives working at that farm.” They composed a letter to the constable and magistrate asking for help in placing the two children whose father was a drunk, and instructing that they'd want that family evicted as soon as they found a place for the children. After that they talked about Kitty and Mary and agreed that they'd need to assign them more responsibilities. Aaron observed, “I've noticed that when young apprentices take responsibilities for certain tasks their mental acuity improves for handling non routine issues that arise.”

“My mother will object, she wants her daughters raised as princesses.”

“I'm sorry I won't be here to help you deal with her. From stories I’ve heard she might get angry and moves in with her sister or her brother -in law. If that happens send a servant so she won't be too big a burden. If they complain about her expenses, offer some assistance. After all, having her gone will save us considerable expense .

They sat for a time, then Elizabeth brought up the topic of attending the worship service. “As owner of Longbourne, it's going to be necessary to to go to service. If you don't they'll call you the atheist from London, and nothing else will matter. I think you can wear one of father's suits, just cinch up the waist a bit. No one else uses the pew that has customarily been ours as long as I can remember. We can go and you'll still get back to London before dark.”

“Yes. I agree, I might as well start that now.”

I have another question Aaron... your brother seems so well suited to the ministry, why didn't you follow your brother into that profession. “

Well, when my mother started to teach me Greek I rebelled. I wanted to study math and science. Not some language that only a few impoverished people in the Mediterrean spoke. Adam took my side, he said I was too smart for the ministry. He did some checking around and found Mr. Dalrimple. Mr Dalrimple was happy to take on an apprentice and arrange classes in math and science. He said he needed all the apprentices he could get who would study those fields. Adam said if I learned manufacture I'd earn far more money, and with money I'd have more respectability than a cleric. Our mother agreed, and your father Mr. Bennett paid the apprentice fee, so I got into an occupation that I have always loved.

Elizabeth laughed..”so my father gets some of the credit also, I'm proud that he made such an excellent decision.”

AAron said “My mother assured that your father assisted despite the fact he was always strapped for money”.

Elizabeth laughed again, “ I expect my father was glad to find a sound reason to deny our mother some of her whims.”

Aaron left to prepare for bed. He repeated yesterdays routine of bathing in the stable. He went to the library, read for a time, then went to bed early so he'd be well rested tomorrow.

Back in London

As usual Aaron slept in the barracks at Dalrimple's, woke early, went downstairs for his customary breakfast of a roll and porridge. They had milk but now he realized it was foul tasting compared to what he drank at longbourne. Until this weekend he'd never had a good glass of milk. He was wondering if this was a business possibility as he checked on the production floor. In the shop there was a loom he'd never seen before. He surmised that Dalrimple had decided to do a friend a favor and have Rotor and himself upgrade the machine with brass and metal fittings.... try to get the machine operating better than when it was new. Aaron was very happy about this, he loved the challenge of getting an old worn loom working at peak performance. Dalrimple walked in.

“Good, I thought you'd be here. I need you to help me select our new apprentice. Jack told me he was leaving to go to work for you and I think that's excellent. The challenges of running an estate align perfectly with Jack's talent. I offered to pay him full severance just because I think every day that he's working on your estate will be a day you can be here. I need to hire an apprentice that you can train to assume the responsibilities you have. Let's go upstairs so you can help with the interview.

After the interview, Dalrimple asked “Well what do you think?”

Aaron answered” I suspect he doesn't have the talent to deal with geometry and spaces. I need to come up with an exercise that tests that particular talent rather than guess based on what he's said and done.. Let's continue with the interviews. After I've set up an exercise we can get likely candidates to take that test. Dalrimple said, “Very well, let's hope one of the interviews has the talent you're looking for.”

Aaron found Rotor and together they moved around to the looms that were near finishing a bolt, Gawd, look at 32. I'ts running ok, but the wobble is so bad the bolt will probably have to be sold as a second. They spoke to the operator.”When the bolt is finished, rmove it and clean up the loom. We'll take it to the shop and replace the rods that are too worn.” He signaled for an apprentice. Jack came over. “ ee how if you press here , not too hard, yeah like that. Take the pressure off when the frame does it’s return…. Yeah, that’s better . Maybe we can still get a quality bolt out of this. Aaron and Rotor left to look for any other problems. One machine looked like the bolt was acceptable quality, but the wobble was bad.

Put a red flag on this one. We don't want to start a new bolt when this one's finished. We'll replace the rods on this one also. They identified the seven worst machines, flagged them, so they'd be hauled to the shop at the end of the day.

After that Aaron sat down at a drafting table and made an informal drawing of the part he'd use to replace the flash pan on the flintlock. . It had a cylinder to replace the percussion cap and the cylinder had a tunnel so the explosion of the percussion would flow into the powder behind the bullet. Machining this part would be a challenge. He expected over time he''d cast the part, then do minimum machining to grind the part to the desired dimension, and drill the path to the powder chamber.. He also made a drawing showing the shape and dimensions of the new hammer. Finally he made a drawing showing how the they'd have to bore out a three eighth’s inch hole in the receiver of the pistol that was deep enough to reach the powder load. The part with the percussion nipple could be pressed and sautered intothisn hole in the receiver. He saw he had time so he ran to the machine shop, left the flintlock and the drawings to the owner and got him to promise he to deliver the parts within a week.

A soccer practice was planned after dinner, so Aaron couldn't work late. Aaron had a quick late dinner, then headed off to the field. The team worded on their passing, worked on quick kicks on rebounds,. Only two places had grass short enough for practicing shot on goal, but every player took at least five shots. On the way back, Aaon thought how he’d no longer be at the games. The team wouldn’t miss him too much. Aaaron was a good defender, had excellent stamina so he was never out of position unless the other team pulled some kind of clever play. However as a ball handler and the ability to take quick shots when the ball came to him, Aaron was only average. They went back to Dalrymples, took showers by having friends stand on ladders and pour buckets of water on them. The cooks had prepared a light post game meal, so they ate everything the cook made available then went to their barracks where they quickly fell asleep. As Aaron lay in bed he was thinking he'd miss the sports he got to play at Dalyrimples, but quickly went to sleep.


The next day was busy as expected. Aaron and Rotor rushed breakfast, went to the shop and started disassembling a machine. The guide was cracked, part of the reason for the wobbles, so they had to replace it. That added an hour to the reassembly time. They'd be very lucky to get all machines rebuilt that day, but Rotor and Aaron were very disciplined to not rush their work. Each machine had to be precisely assembled so it would last without giving trouble. Late in the afternoon they found a guide that had some dry rot on places, so they had to replace it. They brought Jack in to help, and he did allow them more speed as he knew what they were doing next and could had them tools, parts, and apply some muscle to sandpaper or file where needed. As dinner time approached Mr Dalrimple came by and told them that he had instructed the cook to set food aside for them, that they would eat it when they wanted . They kept working and had finished 6 looms when they stopped for dinner. They finished dinner, disassembled the seventh loom, laid out the parts, then retired for the evening. The next two days went smoothly. They got all the looms working, no more wobbles. The loom that Mr Dalrimple had stored was one that he had purchased at very good price, because the previous owner couldn't fix it. It was a model manufactured by some factory not currently used by Dalrimple. He wanted to spend as little as possible so he and Rotor set out to use the simple machine shop they had to build any parts that seemed a problem. They had to completely disassemble so could look at all pars to see if any looked different from their mates. Sure enough quite a few parts had been installed that were not right for this machine. They guessed which parts were correct, and set about the laborious process of machining the metal parts, and cutting and sanding the wood parts. They assembled the machine and rotated it through all the different operation points quite a few time so Aaron could take notes of problems which would indicate the parts were not fitting as well as needed. They worked Wednesday and Thursday, and Aaron went to Mr Dalrimples office to be sure it was still ok to use Mr Dalrimple's horse to ride to Longborne for the weekend. Aaron assured they’d have the machine running next week. “I’m sure you know we don't have any other machines of the same model, we should get rid of it soon.”

”Yes I know. Laffer has has a lot of these, so I figure I'll sell this to him. I bought the machine from Ronson. He for some reason bought three of them. They make these in Manchester, where they use them a lot. If Laffer won't give Ronson a decent price for the two he has left I'll buy them , get them in prime operating order, then ship 'em to Manchester. What would you think about drawing up some drawings with dimensions for these machines, then teaching Ronson how to repair his looms”.

“Yeah, I could do that, just so long as they're fast learners like Rotor.” Aaron really didn't think Rotor was a fast learner, but he would never say that to Mr. Dalrimple, and he sure didn't want to try to teach people who were slower than Rotor.

“ I've been thinking that a way to assess the interviewee's space and dimension capacity is to get Rollo to teach them some rope knots, see how fast they learn.. “ Rollo had spent 12 years in the Navy but had been released when he came down with some recurring ilness. He walked like someone who'd spent a long time on the decks of a ship, so they called him “Rollo”.

“.....Sounds like a plan. So do you think Rolo might be a good person to work in the shop?”

“He's good with knots, and he was smart enough to climb the rigging and take care of the sails. I don't think fixing a loom is harder than that.. It wouldn't hurt to give it a shot, see if he likes it…. if he can do it.”

“I'll ask Rotor, if he wants we'll give Rollo a try in the shop”.

A silence....“I was going to check on the horse.”

“Let's go to the Stables. I know a man whose horse is a little too spirited. I was thinking that for someone young like you, you can deal with that. Also nothing like a couple long rides every week to calm horse down.”

The horse didn't act skittish when Aaron walked up and rubbed his neck. They saddled the mare, once again, no problem They took the horse out of the stables, Aaron jumped on the horse, The horse was surprised but no bucking. “Yeah, I could make better time with this horse. What's her name?”
“The guy who sold her called her Matty. His wife is dead, her name was Matilda.”

They removed the saddle, and went back.

Rotor was getting everything positioned to rebuild the loom.

“Don't rebuild yet Rotor. I've been trying to figure what’s causing the peculiar wave we see when we rotate through the phases. Let's reduce the rod length by 3/32 inches for 3 three rods distributed evenly. It'll be faster if we just cut new rods. It too an hour of cutting, drilling, and fitting to get the new rods in. They once again painstakingly went through all phases.

“”What d' ya think?” Maybe a little better, for sure not worse. The replaced more rods, tested again and kept replacing until it was clear the machine was working as intended.
He went upstairs, told Dalrimple they'd fixed the machine. “It wasn't hard to fix, so if you buy the other two it'll be ok.”

“Do you think Rotor can show Ronson what needs to be done to the other two looms?”
“Yeah, no problem, he can do that.”

“I'm gonna offer to sell the loom back to Ronson, just cover the costs. Then have Rotor show them what you did. I'd like to get him a little beholdin'”

Aaroon nodded while he thought about how Dalrimple was the master at building connections between his competitors, his suppliers and buyers that became as important as his machinery. “ I need to go talk to Sampson about some parts he’s building, I'll be back in ninety minutes.” Aaron took all the cash he had, and went to see Sampson. He greeted Sampson, hoping he had enough to pay for the parts for the flintlock .
“Hello Mr. Sampson! I brought all the money I have, I’m hoping it’s enough to pay for your work.”
“If you don’t have enough we’ll work something out” Her pulled the flintlock and parts from under the counter. I sure wanted to install the parts into the pistol, see how they work.” I’m making an offer. I’ll fit these into the pistol for free, just so I can see how this works.”
Aron liked saving money, but he needed to experience the problems in making the parts fit. ‘ I’ll agree on condition that I get to be here for every step. I need to see how much difficulty there is in making the parts fit.. They worked out a time. AAron guessed that Sampson didn’t want to discuss charges for manufacturing the parts yet, so he cheerily left.

The week went well, Roller agreed to start working in the shop for a small increase in pay. He also agreed on a short exercise on tieing knots they could use in interviews. Having both Rotor and Rolllo working on machines reduced Aaron’s workload so he could consider reducing his time at Dalrimple’s to two days per week, enough to deal with the hard problems, but leave most of the work to Roller and Rotor. On thursday morning AAron went to Sampson’s and the installation of the percussion part and the modified hammer went as expected. They had to do a lot of filing to make the percussion part fit into the hole they’d bored into the receiver but they got it in , and used some melted iron to be sure it was permanently a part of the pistol. They directed air so the pistol could cool down slowly. After that they loaded the pistol with a light powder charge, a wax ball. And a percussion cap. Sampson had a safety box so they could fire the pistol without worrying if it might explode. The firings went well, working up to using a full charge and a lead bullet.
“Ye’ve got yerself something that could make a lot of money. My offer is---no charge for what I’ve done , but in the future any adaptations that you do in London, I do them.. I’ll do them for ￡25 each. If anyone hears I can do this and comes to me, I’ll send them to you. I don’t want to take a chance on damaging a ￡500 fowling piece They shook hands on the deal, Sampson handed Aaron the pistol, and Aaron wrapped the pistol with some powder, balls, and percussion caps and left to find Silas. Walking through those streets that Silas claimed for his gang, Aaron found Silas.
“I can tell you’ve got it and it’s working. Let’s go down by the river and we’ll practice. They walked to a place on the river that people used as a practice range. Most people paid a fee for use of the range, but they let Silas and Aaron walk in. They walked over to a table set up for loading and cleaning. Aaron handed the pistol and the sack with caps, balls and powder to Silas. Silas set about loading. “Do I use one capful of powder?”
“Yes, I’ve tested it, it’ll handle a normal load.”
Silas aimed at a target fifty feet awy, and fired
“Wow, so great, no delay at all waiting for the spark to ignite the powder.” He looked at the target, saw he almost missed. He reloaded, fired again. This time he almost missed on the other side of the target. After a few more rounds he asked “How hard would it be to put some riflings in the barrel.?”
“I’ve read about that. I don’t have the equipment. I can look for some one and find out how much it’d cost.”

“I’ll just go with this for now. Go ahead and find out who can rifle barrels and how hard it is. I really owe you for this. Whenever you need my services, please say. “ Silas never paid for what he wanted. He kept tabs on who had helped him in the past and was ready to repay in ways legal or not. Any time some “toughs” bothered one of the workers at Dalrimple, all he had to do was mention it to Silas and the problem would vanish, sometimes the “tough” would vanish too Deliveries from Dalrimple were never stolen, and they didn’t have to bribe anyone to be sure deliveries were not delayed.
Next morning AAron loaded his small amount of luggage and a lunch. The luggage Jack would take to Longbourne was loaded behind the saddle Aaron and Jack left at the same time. Jack would walk, but since he had no luggage, he’d make good time. Aaron carried a small amount of money, in case he needed to buy materials, or hire a laborer. Dalrimple kept Jack’s seperation pay in a bank account, and when Jack was in Merryton he’d arrange to transfer his funds into an account in Merryton. Most of AAron’s cash was moved to a bank account in preperation for setting up an account in Merryton. They left in high spirits.
Jack and Longbourne
AAron arived late that afternoon, and started working on getting the Smithy area in order so it could be used. All the items left in the buidling that were not needed for the horses or smithy went to another building. That gave him room to set up the forge and bellows. He started disassembling the bellows, putting the parts that would need to be replaced into a two sacks. One sack he’d use to buy replacements, the other sack he used to make drawing, and he’d use the drawings to purchase replacements. He decided to look for a saddlemaker or leathery in a nearby town. For leather products the small towns were usually cheaper.. Elizabeth came in to tell him dinner would soon be ready, and was impressed that the stables now looked orderly. AAron explained how he would get the smithy working, then use it to repair tools, carts, then use the smithy to fulfil commitments to friends in London. Elizabeth suggested “We have a carriage we used to use. Now we ocasionaly use it, but it gives so many problems we usually just walk. It’d be helpful if you could repair it. We used to have a smithy in Merryton who repaired carriages, but he died and the new smithy didn’t do that. So in Merryton now the citizens of merryton must have a dozen carirages sitting around unused.’
“That’s a useful bit of information. I’m planning to use this smithy more as a machine shop. I’ll Leave the smithy work to whoever does that now, but take on jobs such as carriage repair, tools and carts, farm machinery, firearms and fowling pieces. If you’ll think about any particularly talented young men who’d like to learn to do that sort of stuff, let me know.” Elizabeth nodded and they both went in for dinner.
Dinner was sumptuous by the standards of an industry employee from London. They had Carp, a duck, fresh baked bread, fresh vegetables, and a pie made from the quince from their orchard. As they finished Jack arrived, quite weary from his long fast paced walk.

Aaron stood, ‘This is Jack Spencer. He worked as an Apprentice at my firm, and I’ve selected him to be my farm manager. He grew up the son of an estate manager and is going to apply what he learned at Longbourne. That way I’ll have time to doing what I did best at Dalrimple’s.” Everyone but Elizabeth was surprised and everyone but Mrs. Bennett was glad they’d have an estate manager. Mr Bennett did have a diffident attitude toward estate management and his daughters expected Jack would generate far more income than their father and his gentlemanly approach to estate matters . Kitty and Mary both offered to show Jack around the estate and introduce him to tenants and tradesmen. ‘Good, of course that’ll have to wait ‘til tomorro. For now why don’t you walk around the to see the animals we have here, and look at the outbuildings. Jack, tomorrow you and I will have to repair the roof on a building so we can store the hay. The hay was stored in the stables, but since the smithy is going to be in the stables we’ve gotta store the hay somewhere far from the fire. The horses will be happier if we move them somewhere they don’t smell smoke. We’ll have to find where they stabled the horses before. Probably it won’t take too much to repair it back to a useful stables. . Jack and the two sisters walked away to see the varied collection of chickens , ducks, geese, and rabbits that were part of the farm. They did not keep pigs, one of Mr. Bennet’s sound decisions. Pigs were too much a threat to the other animals who mostly wandered freely The next morning they did a temporary fix for the carriage, and selected the worst building, and started disassembly so they could use the salvaged wood and bricks to repair the hay barn. The two farm laborers saw this as part of their job, so they pitched so the four of them salvaged framing, planks, and shingles that weren’t split or too dry for reuse. They then started removing shingles and any suspect framing from the building hey planned to use for hay storage. They sent Kitty and Mary to town to buy tar and shingling nails while they used the planks to build a sheathing over the rafters. It turned out that Mary and Kitty loved the trip into town, as they got to talk to their friends about Aaron and what he was doing. They had time to melt some tar, and it spread it over the sheathing so they had a roof that was adequate for storing hay. “Good! This will hold until we can find someone who’ll know how to use some of the slate stacked up everywhere.” They used the carriage to move the hay from the various places it had been stashed. The were exhausted from the hard day’s work, but as they were cleaning up for dinner, the town magistrate and constable showed up for a visit. The magistrate,Mr. Reston smiled broadly. “The whole town is talking about what you’re doing here at Longbourne! I’m so glad Mary and Kitty came to town and told us so much. I see you’ve accomplished a lot today. They say you’re going to set up the old Smithy to do tool and carriage repair, and something about improving our fowling pieces. They both dismounted. I’m sorry we’re so slow about evicting Farrel and Marsh. We knew Mr Bennett was feeling bad, so we didn’t think think it’d hurt to give those two sod’s a little more time. Now we know that was a mistake. Constable Waller, the other man tipped his hat, rode out to Ferrel’s today and gave him a legal order to either pay up his overdue rent or move out in three days. I’m going to hire Mrs Marsh as a housekeeper, and let her and her daughters live in one of our vacant cabins. As the girls get older the town will have to pitch in with work and education so the girls have a chance to grow into people we in town can brag about. I hate to see children suffer because their father is a drunk.”. Mr Reston saw that dinner was waiting so he excused himself and Mr Waller. “We’ve got to go home, we can’t have our families waiting dinner “.

Over dinner they discussed what Jack would need to do the next week, and Aaron gave Jack his cash and told him “Elizabeth had some funds set aside for improvement. Use that to get relacement leather so we can get the foundry going . Hopefully we’ll have enough to hire a skilled roofer to install the slate over the hay barn but don’t hire anyone until we know we’ve got the foundry earning us some cash. Miss Bennett has been doing an excellent job with the accounts, so don’t take on that job. She is absolutely trustworthy. Go to her for any purchases that are unavoidable but we’ve go to watch our pennies. Talk to Misss Elizabeth about who should rent the Farrell and Marsh leases. We need to give preferences to sons and daughters who grew up on a Longbourne Leasehold. Finally, there are two bags with the leather pieces we’ll need to repair the harnesses for the bellows, and the bellows itself. Ask around Merryton for a good leather shop who’ll give us the same price as any of their neighbors. Get Miss Elizabeth to go with you. I think her manner in dealing with people will result in us getting the best deal possible. They slept soundly that night, and next morning Aaron picked up the cheapest of Mr Bennet’s fowling pieces to use for a demonstrater for upgrade clients. They all went to services together and the conversation level showed that people were curious about what was happening at Longbourne. After services., Aaron picked up the lunch they’d fixed for him, and on the way out explained to Elizabeth he was borrowing the fowling piece but would return it. Miss Elizabeth answered, “ Father got that when he inherited the house. That means that is now your fowling piece.” Then she gave him a smile that made his heart do somersaults and said “Thank you so much for being solicitous for the welfare of us Bennett daughters. I’m so proud to have you for a cousin.” Aaron left for his long ride back to London.

The New Enterprise
The next week was not a particularly busy week, so he made an early trip to Sampson’s with the fowling piece. He showed how the percussion nipple assembly would still work on the fowling piece, and left the piece so Sampson could adapt it They agreed that since this was a demonstration piece that Mr Sampson would be paid out of future sales. Next he went to Ronson’s to see if Rotor had been successful at teaching them how to modify their machines to compensate for the rods being a little too long. Ronson was ecstatic. I’ve fixed all my machine and have found four more I’m buying so I can fix them. All at bargain prices. How did you figure out what the problem was?”

I can’t explain that, I just run the machines through their paces and soon I notice little glitches that lead me to the problem.”
“Dalrimple was sure lucky that he found you.” Aaron had the feeeling that Ronson was wanting to make an offer, but they both knew that would be contrary to the ethics of the industry, so Aaron excused himself and walked quickly to Dalrimples. Things seemed to be smooth except for a loom that Rotor and and Roller together could not fix. The three of them rotated the loom through it’s phases several times and finally Aaron realized the guide had a hairline crack which caused it to warp under pressure so that frequently the loom would lock up. Rotor and Roller set about disassembling the loom, and Aaron went up to talk to Mr Dalrimple.
“I worked with Rotor and Rollo, we figured out the problem and they’re fixing it.”
“I knew as soon as you got back you’d figure it out”
“I’ve noticed that Rotor and Rollo work well together. They figure things out that they couldn’t individually It seems things are going fine with me working 4 days per week. I was thinking of cutting back to thee days, see it that works. You could save two days salary per week”
“OK, I suppose that’s what you need. I know you’ll have a lot of work to do on your manor, but remember, you’re an industrialist, no a farmer. You’ll earn far more money in industry ”
“So I’ll start leaving thursday mornings, I’ll pay you for the horse. I think he’s the right horse for me. On Wednesday he picked up the modified fowling piece, and took it directly to The Coleman factory. He remembered how people had joked about Mr Coleman lived in his workplace in London during the week, but spent weekends at an estate he’d inherited. He loved to talk about his love for duck hunting, and his frustration at how ducks would take flight as soon as the flint on his flintlock struck the pan, then the powder would not ignite fast enough to get the birds. He walked into Mr Coleman’s carrying the fowling piece wrapped in a blanket. Mr SColman saw him., laughed, put up his hands “I swear I didn’t do it! They both laughed, and Aaron unwrapped the fowling piece. Sandford said “ Not a particularly remarkable piece, then exclaimed “ You’ve replaced the flintlock! Is this one of those pieces modified with that instantaneous primer?
“ I’m offering to upgrade flintlock fowling pieces to percussion cap, for40.” I’ve brought this to you so you can try it out, if you like it, I’ll upgrade your pieces.”
“So there’s nothing for me to lose.! OK. I’ll try it out this weekend when I go hunting, and if it works as good as people say, It’ ll be easily worth ￡40”
Aaron left the weapon with Mr Colman, went back to Dalrimple’s. He worked with Rollo and Rotor the rest of the day, then he next morning went back to Longbourne. He’d have two full days at Longbourne this time.


Rent Collection
For the next week back in Longbourne Aaron couldn’t get much work done in the shop, because he didn’t have the harnesses and the big bellows. The notable thing he accomplished was to repair the carriage. He tried what he could do with only the small bellows, but found he couldn’t generate enough heat do do much, so he decided to do an audit of past rents. Elizabeth offered to help and her assistance was invaluable because she could put her hands on past records so fast. The audits showed that rents stayed stable from year to year except in cases when a dispensation was awarded due to special hardships such as a sons being away for military service, disease or accidents to a rentor or essential son, or floods. What was notable was that in many cases that a dispensation once granted, sometimes became permanent, and that the most prosperous tenants usually paid low rents due to dispensations. The rule was that a dispensation once granted was removed only if the magistrate approved. There were numerous situations where Mr. Bennett had requested stopping the dispensation, but the magistrate took no action so the dispensation continued. They determined which tenants were benefiting from dispensations, checked the reasons for the dispensations and discovered the reasons for the dispensations were no longer valid. They spent the two days Aaron was in Longbourne preparing petitions to terminate the dispensations, then decided to go to an attorney in Merryton to be sure the petitions met all legal requirements. They rode in the carriage to Merryton and went to the attorney Miss Elizabeth selected based on recommendations from friends. Mr Sandford was the youngest attorney practicing in Merryton, but still almost 15 year older than Aaron. They showed up at Mr Sandford’s office, and asked if they could speak to him about rent dispensations.
Mr Sandford spoke “So I suppose you’ve prepared some petitions to terminate rent dispensations?”
Aaron answered “I take it that rent dispensation issues occur often?”
I’ve submitted over a dozen petitions, but they seem to disappear into a drawer in in Mr Reston’s office. This happens to landlords who disdain involvement with the community. You don’t fit into the ususal catagory so Reston might choose the risk free option, and grant the petitions. My suggestion is to allow me to submit the petitions. I’ll need to reformat them, we can’t give Mr. Reston an excuse to dismiss them. If he does what he’s done in the past, he’ll find some ways to show you he’s unhappy you did this. I’m pretty sure the people, getting dispensations pay a share of the saving to Reston. The more of these things I can document, the more likely I’ll succeed in bringing down Mr. Reston. “
Aaron spoke,” I certainly don’t want to make this personal !”
“When Mr Reston see’s your petitions, he probably see this as an attack on him. Still if you do nothing, he’ll consider you a pushover and take advantage. The magistrates are under supervision of the House of Lords. I’m trying to find a way to get this information to influential Lords. I’m pretty sure they’ll be unhappy with this type of petty vice.”


They left the petitions and were silent until they were almost home. Elizabeth spoke first. “We’ll find a way to deal with this. The important thing is we not tell anyone. We can’t have people gossiping about this, it’ll give Reston a warning, he’ll look for to a way to keep this quiet. As long as we keep silent, he may choose to “let sleeping dogs lay”. Meanwhile we’ll work on a way to get back at Reston, making him pay dearly for his larceny.”


Mr Coleman’s Duck Hunting

Back in London, Aaron found that Rollo and Rotor were splitting their efforts on two different machines, without success. Two machines had failed at approximatly the same time, so Rollo took one, Rotor took the other. After almost two days neither machine was working. Aaron found Rotor puzzling over his machine. After watching a minute he said, let’s go see what Rollo’s doing.
“You want both of us to go?”
“Yeah, we’re a team.”
They went to Rollo’s Machine, Aaron asked Rollo to explain what he’d learned so far. After a recitation on what he’d tried, they both looked at AAron.
Aaron asked “So what should we try next”
They looked at each other. ” We gotta manually rotate to each phase. It’ll take one of us to hold then interlocks down and another to push the wheels”.
Aaron nodded, and as Rotor and Rollo started the process Aaron went to check on the other machines, and saw a note from Thomas Coleman on his work bench.
“ Dear Mr Collins. I brought in several guns for modification to percussion. Please bring a carriage to my office to pick them up.”
He went back to Rotor and Rollo. “ I expect you’ll get some ideas on what’s causing the problems as you go through the phases. Go ahead with those fixes… I’ll be gone a coup’la hours.”
Next Aaron went to his bank, withdrew most of what he had so he could pay Sampson to modify the guns that Coleman had sent, took a carriage that Dalrimples used for delivery and pick-up and rode to Mr Coleman’s.
“Well here’s our brash inventor! I took your piece out duck hunting, and loved it so much I took two neighbors the next morning. They loved the elimination of that pernicious delay for the spark to fire the powder. All together I’ve brought seven guns to be modified. Can you get all this done by next weekend?”
“I’ll get the machinists working right away, I don’t expect any problem with having them ready by friday.”
The guns were well wrapped, so Aaron loaded them onto the carriage, and drove to Sampson’s. On the way, Aaron saw one of Silas’ lieutenants, told him he was going be be carrying valuable freight, and asked if Silas could provide protection. Aaron pulled into the loading area at Sampsons, asked two of the men there to help carry the guns to Sampson. Sampson exclaimed “Well, I never expected so much business so fast!” They unwrapped the guns and Sampson cleared a space so they could start working on the modifications.
Aaron pulled out the ￡60 he’d had in the bank, and explained. That;’s all the cash I have right now. I was wondering if you could modify three. Then.I’ll take them to the customers, collect￡ 120 they’ll owe me, then I can pay ￡80 for the other four guns. Sampson interrupted, you don’t have to go to that much trouble. I’ll extend you credit and you pay me when you collect. Be sure you collect in advance from those gentlemen who have debts outstanding I’ll test the guns at full load several times so we’ll know they’re ok and I’ll keep working until all are done. Thanks for the business Aaron”! I like doing business with you, Sir”
“How about I come back around tomorrow after lunch. Aaron pointed out which guns belonged to Mr Coleman so Sampson could do them first, and left for Dalrimple’s. Aaron walked up to Rollo and Rotor, and was delighted to see they’d finished one machine, and were reassembling the other.
Rotor looked up “Sorry Boss! When we started going through the phases, the problem was just staring us in the face. Next time we we’ll know to work together torqueing the machine through the phases if we have trouble.” Aaron helped Rotor and Rolo with routine maintenancethe rest of the day. The next day when it was time to pick up the guns from Sampson, he took the carriage, drove to Sampson’s. He saw one of Silas men, signaled to him and as he hoped, a few of Silas’ troopers started following the carriage. At Sampson’s he picked up the guns, and rode to Coleman’s He delivered the guns and Coleman paid him the ￡120 they’d agreed. AAron climbed back onto the Carriage and to his surprise Silas joined him! Silas was carrying a long package.
Silas grinned as he spoke. “Your friend Coleman told so many people about your adaptation that people are coming to me to ask where they can get one of your guns! I know Sampson, he has nothing against me, but he won’t do business with me because it’d hurt his reputation. I’m going to set a few men to escort you when you’re carrying guns or cash, but we won’t be able to meet openly ….. I’m going to miss our meetings over coffee. I’m friends with a fine old retired army officer, name is Gibbon, he operates a small weapons business he operates a small gunsmith shop on Baker Street. He’s too old to work on the guns anymore, but he knows every widow who has a gun she doesn’t use anymore, and most of the retired officers who still like to shoot My suggestion is you have him handle the transactions from now on, and you can use his shop for small jobs. You can pay him ￡2 for each gun transaction, and he’ll pay me ￡1 of that for security…... This package is a rifled musket a widow had stored in her attic. See what you can do.” Silas jumped off the carriage and disappeared in the traffic of walkers
At Sampson’s Aaron paid the ￡80 he owed, picked up the remaining four fowling pieces, then delivered them to Coleman. “My friend Dischman left me ￡40 to pay you, and I’ll tell the other two to mail you a check in care of Dalrimple’-- is that ok?”
Aaron answered “I’d rather not bother Mr Dalrimple. , or you for that matter. I’ll take these two pieces to Gibbon’s gunshop on Baker street. Your friends can pay when they pick them.” Back at Dalrimple’s, Aaron found Mr. Dalrimple.
“I’ve got to tell you not to pay me for only two days this week. I’ve had to spend a lot of time on a project I’ve started, adapting flintlock muskets to percussion caps.”
“I noticed you were gone some this week. Is the project almost finished?”
“No, but I’m reducing the time needed. I’ve had to spend way too much time in the carriage, picking up guns, collecting payments, delivering to customers, but I’m taking steps to eliminate that.”
“Good, anyone can handle the retail end, you focus on the machining. Is this percussion cap work going to turn into a high volume enterprise?”
“I’m starting to think it will.”
“If you need some financial backing to get a good machine shop going, let me know. I know a few men who like to invest in new enterprises.”
“Thank you, sir… but I don’t want to go into debt. I’d rather wait and expand using earnings.”
Dalrimple smiled… “I understand that…. I’ve experienced two of what they call “Gluts.” The businessmen who can’t cut back, who have to pay debts and interest, they end up losing everything. I’ve always operated Dalrimples on a slow and steady approach.”

The next day AAron placed the rifle and the two fowling pieces on a carriage, and rode to meet Gibbons. Gibbons was an old, once vigorous man, who loved to talk to his customers, but was too infirm to do the heavy labor involved in being a gunsmith. When Aaron took the long gun off his saddle, Gibbons suggested they put Aaron’s horse in his stables that he no longer used.. Aaron unwrapped the gun and Mr Gibbons looked over the gun. He released the safety, rotated the trigger guard, and exposed the chamber. “This is perfect! A gunsmith in Biemingham was known for this. He bolstered the stock with this steel in the stock. He made the hole for the bullet slightly bigger than the barrel. When ye’ load the bullet it’s placed in the chamber. When the powder ignites. It drives the bullet into the rifling so so the bullet spins .
The result was a rapid fire, very accurate rifle that everyone loved, but too expensive for our generals who don’ mind sacrificing a few soldiers if it saves a few pennies. Hunters really loved the piece, though it was a bit heavy. They did issue a few to recognise the top snipers. They could really wreck havoc on an enemy in a fortified camp and stay safely out of range. They called it the Sharpe in honor of the Bloke that tried to get the gun adopted.”
Gibbon’s shop had been a fully functional gunsmith not too long ago, so it had water wheel for power, and water driven drill, grinders and bellows They drilled a hole in the receiver of the rifle where the flintlock spark pan used to be. Next they had to create a metal piece which would fit into the hole and had an extension, called “the nipple” where they could place an explosive cap. They’d drill a hole into the piece that would direct the explosion into the gunpowder chamber They poured some molten steel into a mold. then they took turns using the grinder to grind the percussion cap down to the right shape and dimensions and drilled the hole from the percussion nipple wouto the chamber. They started with some steel near the liquid state, hammering it until they had what was called the hammer. The hammer was designed so that when released by the trigger, a spring would drive the hammer to strike the percussion cap. By the end of the day they had a working firearm. The did a few test firings, and set up a display so that people could see the new firearm from the street.
“I’m leaving these two fowling pieces for the owners to pick up. The names are on the invoice. They’ve gotta pay ￡40 for each fowling piece.. I don’t know the gentlemen, so it’s gotta be cash, no credit. The ￡80 you get can be used to buy flintlock pistols, or fowling pieces or whatever sellers offer to sell. Now you know how to adapt any flintlock to percussion cap. If Silas hired you a bright strong young man to be apprentice could you teach him how to upgrade flintlock’s ?”
“Yessir,yessir, sure can--not hard at all!”
Aaron had developed an affection for the old man so he said good bye with warmth.

Aaron found Silas, told him about the new firearm, and asked him to pay close attention to the shop. “Mr Gibbons is willing to train a young man to do the upgrade if you know of a strong, smart, attentive, well mannered young man. I’ll pay an apprentice’s salary using the sales from upgraded firearms.”
Silas smiled, “Yes, yes, I have at least six boys who’d do anything to learn to be a gunsmith. This is very generous AAR, and I really appreciate it!”
The next morning Aaron left early, and got to Longbourne not much after lunch.

New owner of Netherfield
Aaron arrived at Longbourne very tired from the long ride and the hard week in London but was quickly energized by the state of excitement at Longbourne. Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty met him as he rode up. Kitty spoke first!
“This is so exciting, Jane and Mr Bingley have purchased Netherfield! They’re leaving London for Meryton! Mr Bingley heard about t Jack’s progress in increasing revenue for Longbourne, and decided that Netherfield would be a good investment! Jane and Mr Bingly have invited us all for Dinner tonight. We’ve sent a Carp and a Goose so it’ll be a sumptuous dinner Mr. Darcy is here too!”
Aaron took a quick look at Elizabeth and saw she was smiling as broadly as everyone else. Aaron went inside with everyone, had some refreshments and caught up with the latest gossip.
“Mr Reston has acted on four of our petitions, the dispensations are to end starting next year, but Mr. Reston asks that we not tell everyone yet.” Neither Aaron or Elizabeth reacted positively. They both knew the dispensations should have ceased years ago. Elizabeth spoke “We’ll have to continue pressing this case. Reston is trying to get away on the cheap”. This is still good, the revenue will certainly be welcome. We’re going to hire a new laborer. Jack will be too busy helping Bingley at Netherfield to continue the labor he was doing at Longbourne, but of course he’ll still be managing the estate. The foundry here at Longbourne is working, and Jack taught the Smithy from Longbourne to use it to repair a few tools and carriages. He’s delighted to have the extra work. Jack has done a little carpentry work on the room above the foundry, and has started using that as his room. Jack spoke up “Actually considering the privacy, it’s a big improvement over where I stayed at Dalrimples Aaron was pleased at what Jack had accomplished, Aaron cleaned up, put on the nicest clothes he could find to wear at Netherfield for Dinner. The carriage was full with the three sisters and Mrs Bennett, so Aaron rode his horse and Jack drove the Carriage. Aaron dismounted and helped the sisters off of the carriage while Jane, Mr Bingley, Mr Darcy, and two young women greeted the sisters. Aaron was more than a little intimidated as he was not used to socializing, but then an absolutely beautiful young woman took his hand. “Oh--you must be the inventor Aaron Collins! Fritz told me about you! I’m Gretchen Stone, Fitzwilliam Darcy’s fiancee. I call him Fritz because that’s what they’d call him in Liege, where I went to school. My father will be envious that I met you, but I promise I won’t pester you endlessly about things you’re working on.”
The other woman smiled, took his hand, did a curtsy---”I’m delighted to meet you Mr. Collins! I’m Darcy’s sister. They call me Georgiana, though I wish I had a pretty name, like Gretchen, or Elizabeth, or Jane.”
Aaron usually couldn’t think of anything witty to say, so he surprised himself… “Looking at you the name I think of is .. Belle....” (Hopeing they’d think of the character from Beauty and the Beast).
“Mr Collins!!! You talk more like a courtier than man who deals with machines! I’m going to have to protect my future sister-in -law from being swept off her feet!” They laughed and went inside.
Over dinner Jack talked of his plan to build a coke oven, then using the gas for lighting, and a plan for piping water from the spring into the kitchen as soon as he could get rent collections up to the level you’d expect from a well run estate. Aaron didn’t say much--he was seated between Georgiana and Gretchen and he wasn’t used to having two such lovely creatures to talk to, but they were used to being with Darcy, who didn’t talk much, so everything was ok.
The next morning Aaron walked over the farm with Jack and they discussed what Jack was doing. After that Jack introduced Aaron to a young man named Jason who wanted to learn to be a machinist, so Aaron set about on one of the fowling pieces. He first explained to the young man exactly what they were trying to do to make the fowling piece work with an explosive cap rather than a spark from a piece of flint hitting metal. He drew a sketch of how he would remove the flash pan, then drill a hole in the receiver where the flash pan used to be, then mold a piece that would fit into that hole partially recessed. To be the percussion cap mount. After that they’d create a mold for the mount, and pour liquid steel into the mold. Once the part cooled they’d grind it down to the very precise dimensions that would fit into the hole they’d drilled. Aaron decided to have the new man create ten molds, then heat steel and pour into the molds By then it was time to meet Darcy and Mr Bingley at one of Mr. Bingley’s newly acquired properties so he sent the apprentice to Meryton to so the smithy could supervise the apprentice while he poured the molds and used the hammer, drill, and grinder to make ten pieces that when finished hold the percussion cap and direct fire to the gunpowder chamber. the The property was nearby, so he walked and let the apprentice take his horse. When he arrived Darcy and Mr Bingley were looking over the Property.
“So Mr Bingley acquired this old mill with Netherton?”
“ Yes but right now he gets less rent than he would from a normal farm, not many acres for crops.”
“The stream carries a lot of water, and it can have a big pond once the dam is repaired, but the race and the waterwheel would have to be totally new.”
“Yes, and the main building is a ruin, a large part of the stone has been carried off for use elsewhere”.
“It’ll be a long time before I can accrue enough profits to do all this building. As much as I’d like to have a large scale machine shop that could work here, borrowing enough money to construct a shop would be far too risky. These “gluts” that seem to occur when you least expect, would leave me a poor man if I had to make payment on a new machine shop that isn’t busy.”
Darcy spoke” ….You, Mr. Collins have a reputation for having a mida’s touch with machinery, and many people have heard about your ability to convert old flintlock guns and fowling pieces to this new percussion cap invention. My future father in law and I have a reputation for putting together sound investment opportunities. I sure he will agree that this is the perfect application for an old but underused financial device. What I’m proposing is a joint stock corporation. I’ve already started working on a prospectus. We’ll start with this property from Mr. Bingley, he’d get a share of the corporation in exchange for the property, Mr Stone and I would get a share of the corporation for putting together the deal and finding investors who’d be willing to invest enough cash to build a machine shop, and pay machinists to start working their magic with tools to repair and build machinery. We’ll have you Aaron as the key. You’ve demonstrated you can direct this business and earn a substantial profit. You’ll get the largest share of the corporation, as well as a salary. Until the corporation is earning a substantial profit, your pay would be small, but as profits increase the shareholders reward the manager with larger pay……..”
Aaron was convinced, but he had to state his concern “It never occurred to me that try this. Often these public stock offerings have the reputation of being run by scoundrels trying to steal money from widows.”
Darcy answered “That’s where Mr Stone and I enter the picture. We have the reputation of being meticulously ethical in watching over investor’s interests. Your reputation is important too, and it’s spotless.”
“....OK, I like this! What do I need to do to go ahead?”
“If you want Mr. Stone and I will go ahead with the offering. Later we’ll need your formal approval when I arrive at the share of the corporation that would go to each party, that’s you, Bingley, my brokerage firm and the shareholders-as a group”
“OK, let’s do this, it seems unreal that we can do this, get everything’s going so fast.”
Darcy sighed “Many stock offerings are unreal, just a way to steal money from investors. That’s where Mr Stone and I come in. We have never been associated with a deal which wasn’t strictly legitimate. We’ve been involved in a few deals that lost money, but actually not many. Investors know they’re dealing with honest people when they deal with us.”
“I’ll go back to London right after lunch and get the prospectus ready. Gretchen and Georgina will bring us lunch soon. After lunch an architect will be out so he can cost out the construction. Can you meet with him?”
“Yes, of course. “ Aaron stood, started looking over the site, planning his new machine shop.
Aaron was lost in thought when he became aware that horses were galloping to meet them. He looked up and was delighted to see Georgiana and Gretchen were arriving on horseback, with a separate horse carrying everything they needed for lunch. He looked in admiration at what an excellent horseman Georgiana was and could see Georgiana was going to do what accomplished riders sometimes do. She had separated from the saddle and was preparing to jump to land immediately in front of her brother. She was light and lithe so he was sure it would be a treat to see her do this, but right before she jumped the pack horse bumped into her horse. Instead of a graceful jump she started to fall. Aaron jumped, wrapped both arms around her and caught her before she touched the ground. Their faces were inches apart. Georgiana looked at him, clearly surprised and exclaimed “Goodness Mr. Collins! You sure know how to make a girl feel welcome!”
Aaron was reluctant to lower Georgiana to the ground and Aaron noticed that she was in no hurry to be released. Every inch that pressed against her seemed to be tingling. Gretchen’s laugh broke the tension.
“In some societies marriage would be mandatory for couples who had held each other so close!”
Aaron’s wit didn’t betray him. “In Merryton that rule would apply! Please! will someone go get the priest.” Gretchen Laughed
Georgiana spoke “Actually I’ve had marriage proposals from many very elegant gentleman, but this is the most tempting yet, she adjusted her body, pressing even more against Aaron. “Brother what do you say? Can we persuade Lady Catherine this is an acceptable match”

Darcy answered, If this stock prospectus works as I expect, Lady Catherine will insist that M. Collins should marry her daughter. Georgiana thought a minute …. “I had no idea! Ok, we’ll wait to see how things develop...But thank you Mr. Collins--that is by far the best marriage offer I’ve had yet, and I’m not refusing.” Then she lifted her head, gave Aaron a light kiss on the cheek, wriggled so that Aaron lowered her to the ground, smiled at everyone else and started unpacking lunch. Aaron looked at Gretchen and saw that Gretchen was laughing quietly but uncontrollably.
After lunch Aaron stopped at the Smithy on the way home, and found that the Smithy had helped the apprentice finished grinding the mounting pieces and had drilled the pathway through each piece to conduct the explosion toward the chamber He looked over the pieces but didn’t use a caliper to check dimensions. He’d do that with the apprentice as a training exercise. He went back to Longbourne for a superb meal, then bathed and slept through the night, dreaming of Georgiana’s body pressed against his.
The next morning Aron worked with the apprentice and drilled a hole through each mount so that when the percussion cap exploded the fire would reach the chamber. Next they filed down dimensions to adjust so that each dimension was within the tolerances Aaron had specified. Aaron explained that he was trying to be sure that anything he produced would have “interchangeable parts.”
Finally they checked each mount to make sure each would fit into the receiver of the gun. The hammer was the hardest. They heated the old hammer to a near liquid state, then beat in more steel and carbon drilling the hole which was used to attach the hammer as well as act as the pivot. They attached the hammer to the receiver. tried a few practice rounds, then Aaron rode to Netherfield to meet Bingley. AAron showed up at Netherfield with the fowling piece across his saddle.
“Mr. Collins, so glad to see you, I’m guessing this is one of Mr Bennett’s fowling pieces, adapted for percussion caps! I’ve been wanting to see one of these.”
They took the piece into the woods, shot a few practise rounds.
“Now I know why everyone’s mad to get one of these I have two fowling pieces and one rifled musket--how about taking them and fixing them up for percussion. But you know who’d be mad to get one of these! My Brother in law! Hurst hunts at every opportunity, and knows every hunter within a day’s ride. If I take him this piece, he’d bring back so many orders you’d have to work night and day to fill them. You know he’s a war hero! He can get invited anywhere he wants. People are proud if they can call him friend”
Good plan! Will you take this piece to Mr. Hurst.
Tell him his commission will be ￡5 for each gun order he secures. I’ll take your guns back to London and get my shops there to update them ……. Very good Mr. Bingley .” After Aaron got back to Longbourne he and Jason drilled out the old flash pan and enlarged the hole so a percussion piece would fit. He welded in one of the pieces the apprentice had made yesterday. They removed the hammer , repeated the process of heating the old hammer to near liquid, worked in some steel and carbon so the hammer would be as sturdy as needed for standing up to the percussion cap explosion, reattached the hammer, then went outside and tested. After that Aaron had the apprentice take the piece back to Mr. Bingley. He attached a note, telling him that the adaption was free as Bingley was family, but to please get some of his neighbors to try the piece.. He was gratified that with the percussion piece made in advance, he could adapt a fowling piece in only three hours. He went inside, washed himself, changed into clothes suitable for dinner and joined the family for their normal excellent meal. They had baked sunfish, duck, fresh vegetables, fresh bread and newly churned butter, and for dessert they prepared his favorite, custard made with duck eggs honey and extra cream. Aaron wanted to see Georgiana one more time before he left for London, and was trying to come up with a reason when Elizabeth suggested “ There’s no doubt that Georgiana would love to see you, and I expect that Darcy would love to hear about your using interchangeable parts for your guns, and how you’ve cut the time down to three hours. Yes, do go to Netherfield because you can’t have Georgiana worrying that she needs to allow some of her other suitors an opportunity to win her heart.
Aaron walked quickly to get to Netherfield, knocked on the door, gave the servant his card, them saw Georgiana looking down the stairs. Their faces brightened up at the same time, and Georgiana spoke first. “You can’t believe how much I wanted to see you before I left for Pemberley. It could be weeks before I come back, though Jane and Mr. Bingley have made it clear there’s always room for me here.”
Darcy entered the hall, smiled, and said “I’m so glad you’re here I’ll show you the figures I’ve come up with on ownership of our new Corporation.” They went into the living room, sat down, Darcy pulled out some notes. Bingley’s share will be 10%. That’s because his mill, derelict though it may be, is valuable. Several buyers approached the previous owner about buying the mill and its acres, but he always refused. We’re lucky that Bingley bought the entire manor and will release title. The share to Mr Stone and myself will be 12%. We’re going to be out considerable expense and time for this and I assure you this is fair. “
“Shareholders will get 50%. It’s important that they have 50% as that assures they can take control if they conclude it’s necessary. That means you’ll have 28%. You’ll get a salary of 3,000 at first, after that finalize the prospectus on Monday, get it printed and released the same day. After investors and banks react to the prospectus, I can set up a line of credit, so we can start construction late next week…… Is that alright?...

“Yes, yes that’s wonderful, it’s amazing it’s happening so fast!”
“Industry is very competitive, you always need to act fast. How are sales going for the improved guns?”
“As fast as I can produce them, and it turns out that Bingley’s brother in law is a war hero, has lots of contacts, and apparently will be able to sell faster than I can produce.”

Darcy got up, called for Bingley. “Bingley, you scoundrel where are you?”

Bingley entered the room “Bingley, you’ve bested me again It never occurred to me to use Hurst to sell these guns, but clearly he’s the ideal choice.”’ Is there any more good news?”
Aaron spoke up. I tried building a key part of the new gun as an interchangeable part. The apprentice and I built ten parts to be identical in material and size, Then yesterday when Bingley gave me a gun to update, we used one of those parts. By using that part we were able to update a gun in only three hours, and get the gun back to Bingly the same day.”
Darcy laughed “I’ve heard about this, they call it precision engineering. I’m going to put this in the prospectus. A lot of skeptics claim it’ll never work, but you’ve already made it work. Aaron, newspapers will be contacting you to see this actually being done. Tell them it’s proprietary. A trade secret we’re not going to show our competitors. Investors are going to go crazy. Sometime when it’s convenient we’ll do a demonstration for our shareholders, but we’ll be the ones who say when and where.”
Darcy looked at Georgiana. “Georgiana, will you entertain Aaron for a few minutes while Bingley and I go over some Netherfield business. Actually Aaron and I are finished so take him for as long as you want Darcy hugged Georgiana, and Aaron and Georgiana went outside. They walked silently for a time, then Georgiana spoke. “My family have for a long time wanted me to marry someone from a very prominent family, but I’m sure they would be equally happy if I married someone rich. I like making my relative and friends happy, but I’m not going to marry to make them happy. I’m going to marry to make me happy.”
“I’m not very good with words, but I have to make it definite …. That time I made that witticism that marriage was now mandatory, and to get a priest, I meant it and I stll do. I loved it that you called it a proposal. “
“I loved that too! What a fun way to become betrothed. But we have to make it an agreement, we’re just as much engaged as if you’d got on your knees, and said all the formulaic words. She faced him, held out her hand, he took her hand and did the handshake , then he didn’t know what to do or say, and Georgiana said” the lips to lips thing would be good too.” After that they walked quietly until it was time for Aaron to go back to Longbourne and go to sleep.


Travel Time.
On the way back to London, Aaron decided he was spending far too much time riding back and forth . As soon as he got to London he stopped at Dalrimples. “Hello Mr. Dalrimple. Have you noticed that Rotor and Rollo are capable of handling whatever comes up?”
“Yes, but that scares me. I figure it’s just a matter of time before some problem crops up, shuts down my machines, and drives me to bankruptcy”.
Aaron answered “Anytime you want me., send a fast post. I’m only a day away. I’ll need to come back frequently to take care of my business with Sampson and with Mr Gibbons anyway. I promise you I’m not leaving you to fend by yourself.” Mr Dalrimple reached out, embraced Aaron.
“You’ve always been like a son to me----a very considerate and well behaved son. I’ll see less of you, but I’ll know I can count on you.” Next Aaron went to Sampson’s. He handed them Bingley’s fowling piece and pulled out a set of drawings.
“Make the mounts for the percussion cap in batches. I like to make ten at a time. Grind them to the dimensions shown in the drawings. You’ve gotta be within the tolerances shown. That way any mount will fit into the hole drilled into the receiver where the flash pan use to be. For hammers we have to accept that they fall into a range of sizes. Ive tallied up all the hammers I’ve seen. If you pull out the sheets that show the flintlock hammes, select the sheet that has dimensions closest to the hammer that’ on the gun you’re adapting. Make the new hammer to the dimensions shown on that sheet, using high tensile steel. I can upgrade a flintlock to a percussion cap in two hours if I stay within these tolerances. It’ll work if you assign the person best with calipers to finish all the percussion mounts. .”
Sampson put four machinists to work making percussion mounts. Under AAron’s supervision they made ten percussion mounts in less than three hours. Next they assigned these same four machinists to making hammers. In three hours they had ten very attractive but sturdy hammers., leaving the hole for the attachment to the receiver until they were doing the actual upgrade. Aaron selected the two less experienced machinists and they set to work on the rifled musket and the fowling piece Aaron had brought from Longbourne. Using the premade parts they were able to adapt each piece in less than an hour.. Sampson looked over what he’d done. “Very impressive Mr Collins. I’ll be able to reduce my cost to update a piece by three, maybe four ￡ . I’ll tally up how much I’ve saved and I’ll get with you on how much I’ll get per adaptation.” Aaron took the two guns they’d adapted and the share Sampson owed for the guns he’s adapted and collected payment. AAron left for Gibbons gunsmith shop. By the time he arrived the day was over. “Will you put these two pieces on display. We’ll use them to show customers what we can do.”

Mr. Gibbons answered “Yes sir, it’s good we’ll have these two. A man from the Arms ministry took the Sharpe Rifle we put on display. He wants you to call on him as soon as you get back.”
“ I was afraid of that. I won’t be able to sell to the Arms ministry for as much, but they’ll want all we can produce. Is that apprentice you hired working out?”
“Yessir, I’m good at recognizing who has the talent and attitude for this work. Can you afford for me to hire another apprentice? Jason is already to the point where he doesn’t need much supervision“
Aaron took out the ￡300 he’d got at Sampson’s. “Yes, here’s some cash to cover up front costs, and I want you to buy another of those Sharpe rifles if you can.”
“I’ve lined up a widow who’ll sell for ￡200. But Silas wants some rifled pistols. He’s left me with four unrifled pistols and I can put in some barrel inserts and rifling when I adapt them, but I’ll use most of the rest to buy some pistols I can adapt and rifle.
“Do you want me to arrange for one of Sampson’s machinists to temporarily work for you. I can arrange that if you’ll teach him how to do the rifling.”

“Yes, that would be be good, normally I’d pay half the usual rate and expect them to work for a month for the time to teach them.”
“The man from Sampras will be good. Let’s continue the current pay and I’ll have him teach you and your apprentice to make hammers and percussion mounts in batches.” I’ll need the machinery to handle rifling for Sampson once he knows how. Do you know where we can get one?”
“I have one I bought at such a low price I couldn’t pass it up, but we’ll have to figure how to make it work. Aaron wrote out a note to Sampson. “Get someone to deliver this to Sampson tomorrow morning. I’m asking for one of his best men to help you with you adaptions and to learn to do rifling and asking him if he can fit in a rifling machine in his shop.”
“It’s late, do you need a place for the night. I have lot’sa room at my home. My wife died many years ago, and my kids have families of their own. My one servant doesn’t have much to do with me as I’m always at the shop, so if you want to join Jason and myself for dinner you’re welcome and you can spend the night in one of my extra bedrooms. “
Aaron started off the next morning by calling on the person from the ARMS ministry.
“Welcome Mr. Collins! Thanks for responding promptly I’m contacting you because we’re using those Sharpe Rifles for sniper rifles in India, but they’re not totally satisfactory. We’ve did some test firings of the one you had displayed, and it seems adapting to percussion caps will help. I was wanting to buy a few, maybe a hundred, to try in the field. The price you had posted is a little high though.”
“Thank you Mr. Jackson, but I have to admit I see no way we could supply one hundred. What we’re doing is contacting widows who received Sharpe rifles when their husbands died, and we expect we’ll have to pay ￡200 for each rifle, then we have to adapt it.”
“If I could come up with say 200 sharpe rifles in our different armories, could you adapt them?”
“Oh yes, we could do this, we have three machine shops doing adaptions now. And we could expand production in all three.”
“Can you prepare a bid, assuming we could start providing you 30-50 rifles per week as we find and ship the rifles we have stored in different armories over the kingdom. “
“OK, I’ll do that. I heard that Garrett is in bankruptcy, didn’t they make these Sharpe rifles.?”
“Yeah, they were the only ones. They did a good job, just couldn’t sell all they produced.”
“I’ll talk to someone who’ll know how to submit a bid, see if I can pick up some half finished rifles on the cheap.”
“Yeah, good Idea, let’s hope you can. That’d make it easier for both of us. In the meantime, I’ll arrange for a voucher to pay ￡250 for the Sharpe I have. Since it’s the only adapted Sharp that exists, I’m sure that’s a fair price.”

Thank you Mr. Jackson, Good day to you!”
Aaron wasn’t far from the offices of Stone and Darcy, so he walked there, and left a message asking to see if he could see Mr. Darcy. He sat down to wait, and almost immediately a person he had not met entered the room, saw Aaron and walked over.
“Mr Collins! I’m so glad to meet you. I’m Isaac Stone, one of your new partners. My daughter Gretchen told me I should meet you as soon as possible, so I’m glad you came by. I’m glad that our corporation exists, It’s name is Collin’s Technologies, we have established credit at several banks, so there’ll be no delay in getting started.”
“Thank you sir, that’s wonderful news. I came to inquire on a related matter. There was a company named Garret and Bros, that produced a very good rifle. I understand it’s in bankruptcy. I was wondering about buying some of its machinery and inventory. It might be a fast way to get a lot of the machinery we need, and probably at a good price.”
Yes, good thinking Mr Collins. I’ll have one of my associates find out what he can so we can consider that. Our line of credit is more than sufficient to proceed with the factory at Meryton so we can also consider this. As soon as I learn something I’ll send a message. Once again, I must say I’m proud to be partners with you, and Good day”.”
Next Aaron called on Mr. Dalrimple. “Aaron, so nice to see you. You’ll be glad to hear Rollo and Rotor are doing fine with the machines, but I have a question. One of my competitors has a health problem and he’s shutting down his business. He’s liquidating his machinery but he has seven that are currently not working. I can buy them for next to nothing, and back when you were here I’d just buy them knowing you’d be able to fix them and I could sale them at a handsome profit. I don’t want to overload Rollo and Rotor, so I was thinking of buying them, shipping them directly to you, have you repair them, then have you ship them directly to a buyer either you or I find. I figure we both can turn a decent profit doing this, if you’re able to take this on.”
“You know, I’ve been surprised at how many talented young men we have in Meryton and the nearby villages, and pretty much all of them will jump at the chance to learn this trade. So the answer has to be yes. I owe the good people of Meryton a chance to do what I’ve been able to do. Aaron took a sheet of paper, wrote the address of the new factory. Wrap the machines securely with tarps, and send the machines to this address I’ll arrange a place to protect them until I can get them repaired.”
Dalrimple continued. “One final thing, Aaron. I offered a permanent position to Randall Long, but he refused me, because his father is in poor health. His parents live in Redbourme, no far from where you’re building your factory. You know Randall better than anyone. I think you’ll agree he’s a diligent and perceptive young man. I’m asking you to consider him for one of the jobs at your new factory.”
“Thank you for telling me sir. Yes, I think he’d be a good choice for my factory. He knows how thing work in industry and he’d learn the techniques of large scale machining just like he learned the technique of textiles. I’ll talk to him today.”
AAron stopped to say hello to Rotor and Rollo, reminded him that he could be back in London in a day if needed. He mentioned the plans to send machines back to Meryton when Dalrimple found bargains that needed work and suggested they help Mr Dalrimple eliminate any machines that were obsolete or so flawed they had little chance of being saved.. Next he went to Sampson’s.
Sampson was glad to see him. “ I’m so proud that the young man I met six years ago is building his own machine shop. I’m even gladder that the shop will be so far from london I won’t have to compete with you! Sampson laughed. I hope you’ll still send the percussion cap upgrades to me.”
Oh Yeah, when I brought the the first adaptions to you, I told you I needed someone to take the work I found in London. Gibbons on Baker street is doing some upgrades on hunting rifles for me and a little work on fowling pieces from Merryton but he doesn’t have the space or the people to compete with you. As a matter of fact the plan is he’ll take care of the retail aspects, and you’ll do the adaptations. I didn’t want you to have to deal with customers”
“Good, that sounds fair. I sent Thomas to help teach the two apprentices and that has been good. Gibbons taught Thomas how to add rifling to musket, and I see a lot of potential there. I’m looking to buy some rifling machinery when I find some at the right price.”
I’m planning to bid on some equipment from the Garret and Bros bankruptcy. I’ll use much of what I buy in my Meryton shop, but I’’ll make a point to set aside a rifling set-up They probably had more rifling set-ups than I’ll want.” “Garret was in Birmingham, right. If you get the bid I’ll go to Biringham to see what they have that would be useful to me., but I’ve heard those bankruptcy bids are “wired”. They set up the bid lots so they favor companies who have some connection.”
“I’m going to count on my lawyers to get me a fair bid, but if I don’t get the bid, I’ll adapt. Keep me informed of how busy you are. If business starts to slow I’ll arrange some demonstrations. I expect it’ll be easy to get more customer when we want them. If you hear of any competitors let me know.
AAron left Sampson’s, and started towards Gibbons when a runner caudght up to him. “Sir, Mr Stone asks that you accompany me to the opening of bids on the Garret Bankruptcy Hearing.” “They hurried to the courtroom, to see a group of people having an intense conversation. Finally the judge called the court to order. Gentlemen. The judge who has been handling this case has testified the he colluded with some of the bidders, These bidders have been disqualified for unethical behavior, and I’m taking over this case In order to resolve these issues which has tied up this case for so long, the court awards assets to the remaining high bidders, and read off a list of names. After a wait, Aaron went forward, Darcy testified to his identity, AAron signed some documents, then Aaron was able to leave. He had no idea what had happened, but he was amazed it was over so fast. He’d only agreed to bid on some of the assets last week, and it was already over. From the conversations, he guessed he had managed to buy some of the assets he wanted, so it appeared good. He wa getting ready to leave, but Darcy stopped him. “We need to put you on an overnight coach to Birmingham. We won the bid on the manufacturing equipment, but we agreed with the owner of the real estate that any equipment that was worth less than the cost to move would stay with the property. A freight company will be there tomorrow, and we need you there to sort through the , label it, and ship it to Meryton equipment. The rest the freight company will disassemble and move to Meryton. One of the staffers at Stone’s firm accompanied AAron to pick up his luggage at Gibbon’s place, then they went to the Coach station. AAron took the time to write a note to Silas that he had bought some equpment from a bankruptcy settlement in Birmingham and he’d like Silas to handle the freight if possible. Some of the equipment would be very valuable and he didn’t want opportunistic handlers stealing things that were hard to find. He explained that the shipment didn’t have to be fast, as his factory in Meryton was incomplete and saving freight costs was far more important than speedy delivery. He spotted one of Silas’ waifs, gave her the message and told her to get it to Silas quickly, then prepared for the arduous trip to birmingham. The coach was very fast, with frequent stops to change horses, so they made the trip in twelve hours, with some sleep despite the bouncing and discomfort. They caught a cab directly to the foreclosed property. They had won the bid on the machinery and spare parts. Silas explored the building, noting where everthing was. He hired a scribe to accompany him and set about labeling everthing. The machinery was in satisfactory condition, so he decided to save all except for the leather pulleys. They were far too stiff and worn to reuse so he labeled them as scrap. He labeled each hammer, forge,bellows, and grinder to go to Merryton. Three of the rifling sets were labeled for Meryton, one he sent one to Sampson. As he was doin this a well spoken young man introduced himself.
“Hello Mr. Collins. I’m in charge of operations for the “Silas and Assosciate” organization in Birmingham. He showed Aaron a copy of the letter Aaron had sent to Silas. I’ve arranged for some freight wagons to arrive soon. If I can walk with you I’ll label what we need to load and it’s destination and as soon as my teamsters get here they’ll start loading The number of unassembled and partially assembled weapons was larger than Aaron had expected. The parts for Sharps rifles were labeled to go to Gibbons. The pistol parts, the parts for fowling pieces, and the parts for other guns were sent to the factory at Rosings, because he anticipated getting the factory at Meryton operational would take more time than gearing up Rosings for a weapons operation. He had finished by late afternoon and he had concluded that Silas’ man in Birmingham was competent and trustworthy to handle loading and getting the freight underway. He went to a nearby pub for dinner, went to an inn near the coach line for an eveings sleep. And caught a coach back to London the next day.
Back in London he checked in a Dalrimples, stopped at Sampsons to tell him the rifling machinery would be on the way from Birmingham. He stopped at Gibbons, and Gibbons was delighted that the Sharps rifle parts would come to Gibbon’s gunsmith. Aaron picked up the four pistols Silas had provided as well as two Gibbons had bought, now adapted for percussion caps and rifled for accuracy. He went looking for Silas and found him at the shop Silas had started using for his headquarters. Sampras was delighted to see him walk in with the large package. They went to the back and unwrapped the package and Sampras exclaimed “Man, I was sure lucky when I decided you might be a good friend. Gras, we gotta get everyone trained and practiced in using these. Aar, how many more of these can you get me.? AAron answered “Gibbons has four more he’s working on, they should be ready in a coupla’ days. I told him you’d be by to pick them up.”
“Great! How am I gonna repay you?”
I was thinkin’ I’d get you set up security at my machine shop in Meryton, and to handling the freight. You did a great job of that in Birmingham. Everyone you send will have to a records clean as a new born, and while they’re working for my shop they’re gonna have to act like they’re preacher’s kids.”
“Ya know, that won’t be too hard, I have a few good soldiers who want to go legit so they can raise their kids in peace. Ya know, I might buy me a pub so I can get away from London when I want, an’ my girl is one of those who want’s to go legit. I’d get her to operate it. It’d probably be the best pub in the town. You’re right, I should operate operate the freight part of the business. I’m used to shipping things all over England, and I have the bully boys to haul and lift things off and on wagons. I’d use the pub to house the freight hands and secure freight wagons over night. I have lot’sa contacts so the freight wagons could arrange secure place to stay pretty much anywhere. The reason I’m buyin’ pistols is so I can convince the toughs in places like Birmingham, and Liverpool, and York that they don’t want trouble with me.”
“I gotta discuss this with my partners, but I’m convinced. I’ll tell Gibbons to offer a higher price for pistols so we can get more for your men. I want the people who handle my freight to be well armed.”
“Ya know, I never thought I’d be rich, but I think that’s definitely possible now” They had a pasty and a beer to celebrate, and Aaron left for Gibbons to pick up his horse for the long ride to Longbourne.

Seeing Lady Catherine
AAron got to Longbourne late, so the cook prepared him a meal from the leftovers from dinner, and AAron talked to Elizabeth and her sisters.
“Longbourne is unbearably busy. Carpenters, stone workers and all laborers who live close to Meryton are working long hours to get the new shop ready. The machines for the shop are on the way from Birmingham. Mr Reston has a better attitude, now he’s agreed that all dispensation are being cancelled effective this year both for Longbourne and Netherfield and he’s asked for an agreement that everything’s settled , but Jack insisted he’d have to talk to our attorney from Meryton and to Mr Darcy before he could agree to that. That put Mr Reston into a panic, and he’s negotiating the sale of some of the property he acquired in the last few year. I’ve heard he cancelled dispensations for other landlords and now Mrs Reston is angry with her husband because she’s having to economize some for her household.. Right now all the tenant farmers are prosperous from selling small livestock to feed the people working on the factory, and some of the women are preparing meals for the laborers.” They all laughed at that news.
“Now for the exciting news. Georgiana went to visit Lady Catherine, and she had heard from some of her other friends that very same Aaron Collins who is brother to her Minister is building a factory in Meryton. She decided she had to visit Netherfield. We expect she will arrive tomorrow or the next day. Of course Georgiana is delighted because she’ll come too and she expects you’ll be here.”
“That’s wonderful! I didn’t expect she’d be here this week.”
All three sisters laughed. “When she comes in, we’ll be sure to let you know!”
Aaron took water and some towels into the building that used to be the stables and noticed that the water was warm from the hearth and that some people from the house was using that warmed water for bathing. He decided that in the mornings and evening when the foundry was not being used, the foundry room should be the washroom. Also, there were seven fowling pieces, each labeled with the owner's name, with percussion mounts installed, ready to have their hammers modified. He made drawings showing dimensions for the new hammers and left the drawings with the guns. He went back into the house and found he was very tired, and went to sleep.

The next morning he went down early for breakfast, had his usual barley mush with milk and a muffin, then went into the foundry and saw that the mule was hitched to drive the bellows. They had hired a boy to keep the mule moving, had moved the mule to a shelter where no smoke could enter to frighten the mule, with a long tube going from the bellows to the hearth. He asked the apprentice who had took the initiative to do this and he answered that he, the smithy, and Kitty had worked this out. Aaron helped the boy make the first hammer., showed him how to use the calipers to check dimensions, then file until he got the dimensions right. Then the apprentice started the next hammer, with Aaron giving help when needed. AAron decided to let the apprentice work on his own after that so he could ride to the factory and see how it was progressing.
The architect was there, fully in command making sure that everything was going as expected, making changes to the drawings when needed. H looked over everything and saw there was a loading dock, but temporary spaces for machines once unloaded was small and some machinery would have to stay on the wagons while the machines were moved from the docks to the installation.. He decided he’s wait until later when the architect was less busy to talk to him about this. H decided that the first step should be a freight yard so wagons would have a space to park while they waited to be unloaded. He looked around and saw there was a place for an Inn and stables where teamsters could stay while wagons were loaded or unloaded. It was on the pond so there would be water for the teamsters to bathe and for the horses. He knew there were a few pubs not to far away, so he didn’t worry about that. He rode to find Mr Hurst, “Thank you for the orders you left at the foundry. Hopefully I’ll have them ready today. Since this your first commission, I’m paying you early.” “Thank you sir for the job. My retirement and my wife’s income isn’t much and these commissions will make her very happy, and of course I’m always happy when I’m outside shooting or riding or chasing hounds and now I’ll get to do that all the time. “ They shook hands. Anytime I’m not here to pay your commissions promptly, prepare a statement showing the buyer's name and date of delivery, and present it to Jack. If a buyer isn’t able to pay when you deliver the firearm, keep the firearm until he does pay. You know how a lot of rich landowners think a promise to pay is the same as paying, but we both know that some landowners are much better at making promises than they are at paying.
When you collect the cash or bank draft from the buyer give it to Miss Elizabeth and she’ll give you a receipt. If you have any expenses that need to be reimbursed, leave a statement with Jack. Thank you sir, and Good day.”
Aaron stopped briefly at Netherfield but Bingley was out riding so he had a brief conversations about Georgiana and Lady Catherine’s visit and rode back to Longbourne. He helped the apprentice finish the fowling pieces, tested them with a few rounds, and loaded them onto a cart had them delivered to Mr. Hurst. It was Getting to be dinnertime. So he rode to the factory so he could talk to the architect. He dismounted, found the architect.
Hello Mr Jameson. I’m back from Birmingham, and I think you need to know that starting in 3 or four days around 45 freight wages will start showing up, needing to be unloaded. James got an alarmed look on his face. We can fit twelve wagons to the dock if we keep the spacing to a few inches., but the docks will hold at most freight from twenty wagons. They walked to the area inside the building next to the docks. We can make this area wider… and eliminate the hall , yes we can crowd all the freight, inside or on the docks, but I’ll have to start the carpenters right away, It’s good I ordered extra wood for unexpected things, but I’ll order more right away. I’ll need you here when the freight starts arriving so you can tell me what each wagon contains and I can direct it to the correct installation area. “ Aaron replied I’ll leave a horse and rider on the road on the day we expect them so when he sees them he can ride ahead and tell us. Aaron was wishing he’d brought some of Sampson’s men, and maybe old Gibbons.The only experienced mechanics will be AAron and the blacksmith. On the other hand ,AAron frequently found that unskilled workers could accomplish a lot if you gave them a free rein but watched them carefully and redirecting them when necessary. AAron went back to Longbourn,told Jason he needed to take some blankets and some fruit and wait near the highway where it turned toward the factory. When Jason saw the freight wagons, he rode back to Longbourne. Word went out to all the laborers in Meryton, so they could unload and install the machinery.
The first wagon was almost unloaded. Aaron looked over the cargo saw it was miscellaneous spare parts, He walked to the warehouse storage up showed them where to put the load, spotted the youngest laborer around, and told him to watch this parts area and warn anyone that no parts were to leave this area. These were the type of freight which would be most tempting for theft. “If someone ignores you and takes something, don’t try to stop him yourself, just find me, the constable, or the architect, and give us a description of who took the parts and what the parts were. He saw someone putting some parts in a wagon. He rode over and there was a boy looking after a small pile of rifle parts.
“Who told you to put theses parts here?” The boy didn’t answer, looked very afraid, and ran. Aaron let him go, signaled to the constable. People are already blatantly trying to steal cargo send a message to get all the constables here. Put this man in cuffs in full view so everyone will know that theft will not be tolerated. Three more wagons had been unloaded., but the architect had identified what the loads were and and laborers were carrying the parts to the correct areas. Aaron found the wagon master.
“I’ve already arrest one man, he was loading part into that wagon rather than to the warehouse. I need you to talk to the wagon drivers, tell them they are not to take anything away from the rail yard., no matter what someone else tells them. People who steal any of this freight will be prosecuted.”
“Aye sir, I’ll do that.”
Equipment for a hearth was being unloaded, so saw that the parts were taken to a hearth area. Stone workers showed up and started building the hearth. And carpenters showed up and started to start the structure for the bellows and the driving mechanism from the water powered drive beam overhead he walked back, the laborers were carrying parts for another hearth. They seemed to know what they were doing so he left them. He went to the loading area, made sure the constable knew to check all wagons before they left to be sure they weren’t taking anything with them He saw they’d arrested another man who thought he could bluff them into thinking he was supposed to take some tool Women from the town had brought bread and stew, so he had lunch with the workmen and enjoyed their company. The day’s work had a welcome interruption when he saw an expensive carriage pull into the freight yard and he saw immediately it was Georgiana. He rushed out to greet them Her saw she was with a well dressed older aristocrat, so he guessed that this was Lady Catherine. When Georgiana climbed out of the carriage they couldn’t resist the opportunity for a quick embrace . Lady Catherine was looking him over. “So I see what the new generation of industrialists are to be. I shouldn’t be surprised, I’ve read that now an industrialist has to be an activist, ready to roll up his sleeves and do whatever is needed, but until now I didn’t see what that meant Now I see why that combine factory that started in Rosings failed. Mr Lewis always dressed and acted like a gentleman, but he failed to do what was necessary.” She sighed. Georgiana and I were hoping you’d join us for dinner tonight. Is that possible for a fast paced man of action like you”?
“ I’d love that! , though I have to admit I’ll have to dress a little less formal than you, but I promise that tomorrow I’ll go into town and order more clothes.”
Lady Catherine gave a smile so genuine Georgiana was impressed. “ Thank you so much sir. I so appreciate your efforts on my behalf.”
AAron and Georgiana gave each other puzzled looks, and the carriage pulled away.
A wagon was unloaded that contained the pieces for rifling gun barrel. He was puzzling over how the pieces would fit together, when he was interrupted by Darcy and a Gentleman he had not met. Darcy walked up, did his customary bow, “Mr. Collins, So good to see you. I’d like to introduce you to Sir Ethan Graves, he’s an industrial engineer who has a vast experience in structuring operating facilities. I was planning on having him be the design engineer who’d arrange for installation of the machinery, but because the schedule go set forward when we bought all this equipment, it’s clear he should start now. There’s something else I need to have you do, and I’m sure your time will be spent much profitably now that Sir Graves is available. Mr Graves can you take over direction for installing this rifling equipment.”
They started walking. “Four years ago I and some other investors built a plant to manufacture harvesting combines. The combines were a great success at first, but they were not durable and after two, maybe three years, the farmers would have to remove them from harvest activities. Based on your experience with making looms durable, I was thinking you might do the same for harvest combines. If you can do this you’d be doing me and my family a great service.”
“If I can do something that benefits Georgiana---and you too of course--I’d be grateful!
“Good, I’ll have some men pick up three combines not far from here, and deliver them to Longbourne either this evening or tomorrow morning.” Darcy smile, said “We should be off, get ready for dinner.” Darcy left for Netherfield, and AAron left fo Longbourne
They gathered for dinner before seven. Arron looked quite presentable because the sisters had spent quite a bit of time making one of Mr Bennett's suits fit perfectly. Bingley had dictated an excellent meal, with steelhead trout, roast beef, particularly excellent wine, the usually excellent green bean, roasted beets, fresh bread, and a chocolate cake with whipped cream for dessert. After they finished someone suggest a stroll through the Garden. Lady Catherine asked Darcy about the harvest combine factory in Rosings. Mr Gunther decided to give up on the business, so I bought his shares, for next to nothing I might add, and I’m going to take the business in a different direction. I’ve been wanting to do this for some time, but so long as Gunther had that huge block of shares he was going to make it impossible to do what was needed. My plan is to make the company’s product much more reliable, which should cause sales to rebound to what they were at first.”
“So that’s why you blocked his plan to liquidate.”
“Mr Gunther would have made more in liquidation, but the rest of us would have lost, and the farmers who trusted us would have been callously betrayed. I’ve just been waiting for Mr Gunther to leave and sell his shares so now I can do this reliability effort.” After walking farther Lady Catherine turned to Aaron. “ Your brother used to talk to me about how smart his brother was, how he was to make us all so proud. I just thought he was the typical older brother, exaggerating his brothers talent, forgetting his deficiencies. I’m so glad I was wrong. I hope you’ll let him stay at Rosing, he brings me some comfort.”
Aaron answered“There’s nothing I could do to make him leave. His visits to Rosings is important to him.”
Lady Catherine smiled “I would love to have you visit me at Rosing, Georgiana and I are leaving tomorrow morning and you could ride with us in my carriage.”
AAron really wanted to accept the invitation, but he thought he needed to start working on the harvester right away. “I’m committed to something for the next two days, but I could come after that.”
“Excellent, I’ll send my fastest carriage and horses when I get to Rosings, that way you’ll get to Rosings as fast as possible. Georgiana will be so happy, and I’ll have my two favorite young people visiting. I’m already getting excited thinking about it. “
AAron left soon after and was happy when he saw that two combines were already in his shop.
The next morning Aaron , the two apprentices, and a laborer set the a combine up on blocks tied down interlocks as needed and started rotating the drive wheel so he could watch the combine go into each phase of its operation, taking notes of problems he noticed. Then they set another combine up, did some minor repairs as it wasn’t working, took it through it’s phases, made some more small repairs Aaron studied the combine as it went through it’s phases as it was designed to do. After that the third combine arrived, so they crowded in into the shop, once again did some repairs and took it through it’s phases. By then Aaron had a dynamic image in his mind of how the combine worked and with details of how at times the mcne would exceed safe operating parameters. He then made drawings of parts that needed to be modified, showing tolerances.
He sat down with his crew.
“First , all these wooden parts need to be made of oak. Soft woods are too pliable and not durable. Clive, I want you to put together a complete set of the wooden rods, levers, structural beams and load them onto a wagon. Let me know when that’s ready and I’ll check it, then I’ll get Jason or Abe to take it to the lumber yard so they can make four sets using oak or hickory. Jason I want you to start making replacements for the wooden rotating cogs. They’ve gotta be made of brass with sawtooth connectors instead of cogs--lot’s more precision. See how much brass we have to do this and we’ll order more when Clive orders the wooden parts Abe go get another laborer and start disassembling a combine. Leave one together so we can refer to it when we rebuild . Jason, you and I are going to take the brass we have and start cutting and grinding to make the parts that will take more stress than wood can handle AAron laid out the brass he had , figured what he’d need and made a list so Clive could leave the order at the metal shop in Meryton. He looked over the parts Clive had placed in the wagon, added a few more, gave the list to Clive and sent Clive to Meryton. He and Jason started cutting, welding and grinding to produce the parts Aaron had designed. Clive returned with the wood Aaron had ordered so Abe and the laborer he was using started drilling holes and adjusting dimensions to match the parts they had disassembled. Jason had two of every brass part they would need by late afternoon, Abe and a laborer started assembling a combine using the one they hadn’t dissembled as a guide. When they had a problem Aaron would help, and at times had to change dimensions on a part. Late in the day they had one combine ready to test. The day was over so they went in for dinner. Darcy wanted to come over to see what was happening with the combines so he and Gretchen joined them for Dinner. Darcy was in a celebratory mood because that they had one machine upgraded.
Aaron spoke, Tomorrow we’ll put the machine in a field with some young grain and make sure it harvests . Then we’ll rebuild the two we have disassembled. Based on what I’ve spent on reconditioning three machines I figure we can recondition the machines for four to pounds # each. Tomorrow I’ll work with Abe and Jason and teach them to recondition machines without me.. I’m leaving for Rosings the next day and I’ll use the machinery and workers there to recondition combines. My goal is to recondition all the machines the gunther Corporation sold to farmers. Those machines were a travesty. I’m amazed that any of them worked for more than a few months. I was thinking we should give every customer who purchased a combine a new improved model.
Darcy spoke “I kept Gunther on a tight leash as far as spending and in particular his salary, so we have enough cash on hand to repair all the machines if you can keep the cost down to five # each.”
Gretchen,spoke “ I have a relative in Liege who’d love to have a good design for a combine. He’s into steel and is always looking for ways to use his steel. He’s my dearest relative, next to Dad. We need to have a big reception so all Darcy’s friends can meet me, and all Georgiana’s friends can meet Aaron, and some of my friends from Europe can meet Darcy and his friends, and my father and his friends can socialize with Lady Catherine. Aaron, when you catch that coach back to Rosings, I’ll go with you, and I’ll arrange for Lady Catherine to come up with this idea. There’s nothing she’d like more than to have all these important people at Rosings.” She looked around, saw there was agreement, and was bubbling with energy the rest of the evening.
Aaron was up early the next morning and worked closely with Abe on the cutting, welding and grinding parts for combined, helped him assemble another which they loaded onto a wagon and delivered to the farmer who had originally purchase the combine. After that he picked up a combine that needed work, and delivered it back to Longbourne. Transporting, modifying and returning Combines that were a short distance from Meryton was to be Abe’s assignment for some time. Jason went back to upgrading guns delivered by Mr. Hurst. In both cases they were expected work with available laborers , teaching them about tools and methods as opportunities presented themselves.
Around mid afternoon, Aaron sent a message suggesting that they leave late afternoon for Rosings, and cleaned washed himself, changed into presentable travel clothes. Packed his best suits, and walked over to Netherfield. Gretchen had reacted quickly when she got Aaron's message, so they were soon on the road to Rosings. Gretchen told Aaron all about her cousin Laurent. Laurent had studied science and metallurgy in school, and was now almost as important in the steel in Belgium as her father was in England, though the steel industry in Belgium was still playing catch up. Laurent had arranged to buy part ownership in a Molybdenum mine in Sweden, had studied metallurgy and his factories produced the best high tensile steel in Europe and Britain. Laurent and Gretchen had been sweethearts until Gretchen came to England to live with her father when she was fifteen, and they were still very close. After a period she explained how she had become engaged to Mr. Darcy. I was at loose ends in England, somewhat bored, and Father introduced me to Fritz. They had done some business together, and Father adored him. But there had been this scandal. Fritz was planning to marry Elizabeth--yes our dear Elizabeth Bennet, but Lydia Bennet was a very silly sixteen year old girl who succumbed to the charm of a charming scoundrel, Mr. Wickham, and eloped with him. Or that’s what she thought she was doing--there was no marriage at all. After that Fritz’s family strenuously objected to a marriage with Elizabeth, and pointed out that it was not just himself to worry about, but Georgiana’s prospects also. So Darcy did the responsible thing, gave Elizabeth up. But it didn’t end there, Fritz insisted he was the one at fault, because he should have done more to be sure everyone knew what a scoundrel Wickham was. Fritz, out of guilt and heartbreak fell into such a despondency that he was almost catatonic. My father prevailed on me to take on duties as a nurse for Fritz, you see I studied nursing out of patriotic duty , and at the time Fritz was more like an injured puppy than the man we see now . I got Fritz up early every morning, I made do his fencing, , then we’d do some art project, then go horseback riding, then lunch, then I’d make him study science, then we’d do some reading. He taught me what he new about finance--that made my father very happy. After six months of that Fritz was ready to return to an active lifestyle, though he does at times have setbacks. Anyway, one day he surprised me and asked me to marry him, and I did adore him, and liked the idea of his being father to my children, so after some thought I accepted. I’ve gotta’ admit now that I know I’ll be seeing Laurent soon, I’m more excited about some time with Laurent, than being with Fritz…. They dozed off for a nap in the carriage, and arrived in Rosing after dinner, but before everyone had retired for the evening.

Lady Catherine was delighted, and she sat at the table while they ate some leftovers. As soon as Gretchen mentioned that when they got back to London Stone’s would have a reception so all of Darcy’s friends and relatives could be formally introduced to Gretchen, and that lady Catherine would have to set aside her dislike for London ….Lady Catherine interrupted..” Why London, Rosings would be so much better, and we could do a double event, all my family could meet Aaron too. Oh yes what a beautiful plan. Tell Mr Stone that I insist. And here we have enough bedrooms so everyone can stay here… I’ll hire two score housemaids so everyone will be well cared for…”
Gretchen, hesitated, looked at Lady Catherine, and said. “Yes, that is a better plan-0oh yes, that makes me soooo happy.” Of course Georgiana was delighted too, and lady Catherine was so occupied by planning the party that she didn’t have time to ask Aaron about the Harvester factory. Early the next morning AAron got up dressed, went downstairs, and asked if he had time before breakfast to go to the factory. “The factory is 20 minutes away, and breakfast will be ready in 45 minute, so it’ll have to be quick trip.” There’s a post for you sir, from Mr Darcy.
Aaron opened the letter and saw it was a letter appointing him as CEO of Collins-Darcy Enterprises, and another legal document that the name of the former Guthrie and Co was to be Collins-Darcy Enterprises. The letter suggested Aaron go to his lawyer in Lambton, and get him to introduce Aron to the banker, the lumberyard, the constable, the magistrate, the general goods store and to the workers at the factor, Aaron walked, saw the lawyer’s office, and saw the lawyer sitting outside finishing his breakfast. He walked up to the lawyer, introduced himself. Hello sir, You must be Andrew Brown, I’m Aaron Collins, and handed the lawyer the documents Darcy had sent. The lawyer responded “It’s a pleasure, offered his hand. Mr Darcy wrote about this and I’ve prepared all the other documents you need. I’ll deliver them, then you can count on these people to call on you at the factory. If you want you can go have breakfast, lady Catherine likes her breakfast on time.. I’d like to ask a favor from you, Mr Rostow was Guthrie’s man at Guthrie and company, and you’d best get rid of him fast. He’s let it known he’s going to wish you were somewhere else. If you have a Quid I’ll pay him, tell him he’s fired, and I’ll take the constable with me so if he dallies, he go out with his ass on the pavement. I’d really enjoy doing that, sir..” AAron laughed, handed over a Quid, and said..”we’re going to get along , Mr. Brown,” then walked back for breakfast.
AAron walked in for breakfast as Gretchen and Georgiana were sitting; he rushed to the table and joined them. Lady Catherine spoke. “ Good Morning, Mr Collins, were you out for exercise or for business”?
“Mostly business, I met with Mr. Brown, who’s making sure all the Merchants know I’m running the factory now. He suggested I waste no time in firing Mr Rostow, so I told him to go ahead. I’ve worked on three harvest machines back in Meryton, and have drawn up the changes we’ve gotta’ make to our harvesters.. I’ll start the men working on that after breakfast. I hope you don’t mind if I eat quickly.”
Lady Catherine :“I’m so glad you’re doing something. This has been such an embarrassment. All the neighbors who invested thinking we make a good product. Will the people who bought these vile things have to pay to get them fixed?”
Aaron answered “No, we’re going to fix them for free, and guarantee them for at least three year. He quickly finished breakfast, stood.
“ It’s been nice, but I gotta go. Gotta’ teach these people how to be machinists. If anyone knows any bright hardworking young men who want to learn to be machinist, tell them to come to the Factory, now named Darcy and Collins Enterprises.
Collin’s Harvesters
AAron’s entered the factory, saw the workers were loading wood onto wagons. He told the workers to gather around. I*’ve identified the problem areas of our machine. We’ve got to get rid of all the soft wood parts. Soft wood is to pliable, and will bend or break under now on we’ll use only oak or hickory. Only Oak or Hickory will be ordered, and any time the lumber yard makes a delivery you check to be sore we accept nothing else. This is the list of planks and beams we’ll need in each order, and you and a helper will cut them to the dimensions we need. Who takes care of the wood inventory?
A man raised his hand. “Name’s Rand”
“Rand. I want you to take all the soft wood we have, and get the Lumberyard to give us credit for it. I have an account there. This order has wood to make three harvesters. Pick up an order and cut it into the dimensions shown on the next pages. Take a laborer to help haul the wood, and help you cut it into the pieces you see on the next page. That leaves two of you to work as machinists. I’m going to put out a sign asking for two bright hardworking lads and hopefully will hire them today. He wrote on a chalkboard, hung the chalkboard beside the door. He looked through a large door, saw two hearth bellows sets and some pulleys for driving tools. He went to the tool that would cut sheet metal, and set the two men at work on cutting metal pieces. The factory had a good steel shop. Mr Guthrie has spent some of his investors money well in setting up a metal fabrication shop, but apparently didn’t have metal fabrication knowledge and the shop had been mostly idle. He’d decided to manufacture pieces of of steel rather than brass , because steel was slightly cheaper, much easier to find in plates, beams pipes, or any possible shape. He decided he’d start making steel parts in Rosings and ship them to Longbourne rather continue to use brass.. He saw that two boys had entered carrying the chalk board.
“So you two want to learn to be machinists?”
“They both answered, “yes sir”
“And where d’ya live”, he pointed at the younger boy.
The boy answered. Aaron didn't know Rosing well enough to know where the boys lived, but he could see that the boy did try to give a complete and accurate answer. He picked up a length of rope, tied a knot he’d learned from Rollo. He turned to the older boy, “can you duplicate this knot?” He looked at the younger boy “close your eyes and turn your back”
Ther older boy took the rope, thought a minute “can I see one more time sir?”
Aron tied the knot again, handed the rope back and the boy with some hesitation successfully tied the knot.
“Excellent!” he turned to the younger boy, who took the rope and quickly tied the knot.
Aaron laughed “as good as a midshipman! You’re both hired. Twenty bob per week with meals provided and you can sleep in here in the factory if you like. Tell me if you want and I’ll set up a place. No bullying is allowed here. If someone bullies you , tell me and I’ll make sure that stops.

“Rand, these are the apprentices, we’re going to teach them to be machinists. I want you to inform everyone I will not allow any bullying, tormenting, hazing or anything that interferes with operating this company in the most efficient way possible, and if you see any hint of anything like that going on you’re to inform me.”
“OK boys into the steel workshop.” Aaron was pleased to see the two workers he’d assigned to the steel workshop had sorted through the drawing, identified which were for metal pieces, and were going through the steel inventory to identify. OK, we have two workers and two apprentices. He looked at one worker-”What's your name?”
“Name’s Deke, sir”
“Deke, from now on whatever you do get this boy, to help, spend a little time explaining so he can learn.” Aaron turned to the boy, from now on we’re calling you Ike, cause you work with Deke. You’re job is to pay attention to what Deke is doing, and make his work as easy as possible.”
He turned to the other worker, but before he asked “Names Zach, sir “ He turned to the younger boy, “We’re calling you Mike” pay attention to what Zack is doing, he’ll explain if you hesitate. Try to make his job as easy as you can”. He and the crew worked for the rest of the day and by the end of the day they had fabricated ten copies of about half the pieces they’d need for a harvester.
The next problem was some assemblers. He figured there were some assemblers who had worked for Guthrie still living in Rosings, so he took the chalk board, wrote out that he was hiring experienced assemblers, posted the chalk board, and sat down to drink a tea. Soon he heard some noise outside the door, so he opened it to three laborers.
“I’m guessing you men worked for Guthrie in the past. I’m hiring, can you start tomorrow?”
He could tell all three were hungry, gave each five bob for some bread and stew. Start tomorrow at eight AM. You can have breakfast here if you come at seven thirty. I’ll need another five men, tell anyone who worked her before to be here at Eight tomorrow morning. He escorted everyone out, locked the building and left for Rosings. On the way home he stopped at the lawyer’s office asked about hiring a scribe to make copies. The lawyer said he’d ask a scribe to come by the factory tomorrow. Back at Rosings Arron bathed, put on one of his better suits and went downstairs to socialize before dinner. He could see that Lady Catherine was waiting to see him so he approached her, did his best impression of the Bow that Darcy would do, kissed her hand, and said:
Everything went well today. That scoundrel had equipped an excellent Machine shop, that he barely used. I’ll need it though to make the durability changes. I now have four employees left over from Guthrie that I think will work out, I hired two quite excellent boys who will be apprentice machinists, and three more will start tomorrow. I expect I’ll have one of the improved machines working tomorrow.”
Lady Catherine beamed in delight. “I’ll send my estate manager to pick it! He can demonstrate what an excellent machine it is.”
Aaron answered, “Excellent plan, tell him to bring one of the old machines, we’re using some of the parts from the old machines.”.
“Be sure to save all the old parts that have to be discarded. I’m planning to use them for a bonfire at the harvest festival.”
Aaron laughed .. “That’s great Lady Catherine, finding a way to have fun while we cleanse ourselves from the past!, and I have a question! I’ expect I’m going to have four, maybe five apprentices. It’s important that they spend four hours in school during the week. I’m going to want them to study letters, numbers, reading, writing, with particular emphasis on legibility. As soon as they’re ready I want them to learn math, including geometry, trigonometry, algebra. For science I’d like to de-emphasize natural sciences in favor chemistry and physics and the science of structures. “
“In that case you should ask Mrs Sarah Vincent. She works as a scribe for the village, but I expect she’ll welcome a job that pays regularly. She has a son, old enough to be an apprentice, and he’s very smart and well behaved.. If you hire her you should offer one of the factory apartments. She’d help when you need a scribe, teach your apprentices without too much time spent on scripture, and help keep things in order at the factory. It’s such a sad storey, her husband was so talented but he died from infirmity of the chest. “
“I asked our lawyer, Mr. Brown, about a scribe, and he said he’d send someone.”
“That’ll be Mrs Vincent.”
They were seated around Lady Catherine, they talked about the carriage ride to Rosings, the plans for the reception, Gretchen explained how she’d invited her cousins from Belgium to for the reception, so they’d have to plan far enough in advance so they could come. Aaron knew the reception was important but he couldn’t keep his attention focused on the conversation, his mind was racing about , the factory in Longbourne still being completed, the factory in Rosings he was operating on the fly, about Gibbons gunsmith shop in London, about Sampson’s gun upgrades which were generating a lot of revenue but totally outside Aarons purview, about the need to get Silas’s freight company going so he could distribute production among the different operations. He thought about it a little more and decided he needed to get Darcy involved in how he was going to manage all this. That cheered him op because he knew that Darcy and Stone some how managed to keep a large number of activities going and profitable. Aaron joined the company in the reception room, walked over to door that went outside saw that Georgiana was looking at him , and made not so subtle signal that they should go outside. Georgiana glided over looked around and slid through the door. Aaron joined her and they walked quietly until they entered an arbor. Once inside the arbor Georgiana surprised Aaron, swung in front of he, put her arms around him and kissed him slowly gently on the lips.
“Please tell me I’m as fascinating as those harvest machines. I’ve been aching for a time like this.”
“Those Machines aren't even in the same league, but I'm not the kind of person who can spend my time riding, playing cards, talking….”
“Yes, I know, that’s the way you are...and I’m glad” They walked some more…
“I wish Gretchen would hurry up and get her plans made. If it had been just mine and your wedding we’d be able to marry in a week, or maybe two…”
“I sure do look forward to meeting her family ,her cousin- Laurent is about Darcy’s age, and he’s a very important man in the business world.””
Georgiana laughed, “just like Darcy “.

Dinner was good, though no better than what they had at Longbourne. The wine however was excellent, and after dinner the Port was also excellent. After dinner, Gretchen wanted them to walk with her, and as soon as they left she asked “Can we go to see the factory Laurant used to show me his factories and I’m wondering if I can see any difference. The walk through the village was pleasant--there was a small stream and a variety of trees, with three old, magnificent chest-nuts. Aaron unlocked the factory and they heard the sound of children and the smell of read cooking. Apparently Mike and Ike and their mother and sister had decided to spend their nights. Here. That made the building more secure, but Aaron was thinking he’d have to get one of the apartments in the back cleared. Looking over the enormous metal shop Aaron decided that tomorrow he’d hire six more machinist teams, teach them to make the metal parts so then he could hire more assemblers.
Gretchen spoke again, “Laurant will enjoy working with you to see how you build all these harvesters.” Aaron got out the chalkboard, wrote a notice that he was hiring, needed six to train as machinist, four to work as assemblers. He was planning to put the assemblers with existing teams until they learned how to build harvesters, he’d work with the machinist trainees for the next couple days until they had learned how to construct the metal hardware for the harvesters.
. The next two days were great for Aaron, working with the hearths to pour the metal forms that were the starting point, then pounding with the mechanical hammers. Then grinding the steel to the correct tolerances with the water driven grinding wheels, and binding the parts together with molten steel produced by the hearths and water driven bellows. Aaron would look back on what he’d done and what had been produced and was in awe at what he and his machinery could produce. In the afternoon on the second day Laurent came to the factory, changed into his durable coveralls, and joined in the process. This was Laurent’s world too, and he eagerly, quickly learned the demanding intricate process to build whatever was needed, in this case Harvester Combines which allowed farmers to harvest grains from the field with a fraction of the backbreaking labour required using the old scythe and winnow method that had been the curse of farm laborers for millennia.At the end of the day they washed and changed into the attire expected for gentleman and walked back to Rosings.
Laurent was asking about how AAron came up with tolerances when he was designing a piece. “ I can’t specify my method, I’ve tried, but there are so many aspects. For sure I have to know the dynamics of the assembly and the pieces it’s connected to. Several pieces are moving, sometimes in synchrony with other pieces, sometimes not. The tolerances have to be tight so that when pieces are moving, they don’t impinge on the others space. Another is the material. You can’t have the tolerance tighter than the material you’re using can maintain-even under stress. Of course that’s why I like that high tensile steel your steel mills produce. It’s also very important that your machinist has the measuring instruments to know what his dimensions are and the cutters and files to trim your pieces to the tolerances you need. “
Laurent responded, “ I can handle all but the first part, and I’ve worked with enough people to know that very few can.. I’ll guess I’ll just have to continue my trial and error methods.”
“Believe me, if I could teach you I would.”
Darcy had arrived, just in time for tomorrow’s reception. Laurent started raving about the harvesting machine Aaron was building. Darcy listened for a time, then interjected. “Aaron, you’ve done exactly what was needed, but now it’s time for an experienced and trained plant manager to supervise and finish. I’ve been training a man for the last two years on how to manage a plant , selecting employees, optimizing floor plans, distributing products, purchasing raw materials. He’s the younger brother of a friend who has inherited a large estate, but the young man will need to take an occupation, and I’ve had him working as an assistant plant manager for three years. He’s ready to take charge at Rosing, and I need you back at Longbourne. Things are not going smoothly there, and I need you to be in charge and to train someone who can be an excellent plant manager if we give him the opportunity.”
“ I certainly can’t say no. So tomorrow morning we should meet this young man at the factory early, while everyone is busy. He could spend the day learning what he can while we’re at the reception, then the next day I’ll work with him. Do you think he could take over after that?’
“We won’t officially appoint him, we’ll tell everyone he’s running the plant while you handle problems at Longbourne. If everything goes well. We’ll announce he’s the new manager.”
Aaron laughed, “I’m glad, I’ve been thinking the things I’ve been doing were getting to be too routine. It’ll be more interesting at Longbourne.”
“You’ll have those problems worked out in two weeks at most. I have something else in mind after that. In london we have a major power shortage. Mr Stone wants to build steam engines. A problem so hard I told Mr. Stone I was opposed to tackling it, but Mr. Stone said he thought you could handle it, and if you do the profits would be immense. Aaron’s mind started imagining the interior dynamics of steam engines he had seen. It soon became clear he’d have to disassemble some steam engines to learn what he needed.
They had by then entered the dining room. . Gretchen waved frantically, so Aaron walked over, sat as directed, with Gretchen between Aaron and Georgiana. Darcy apologized, said he’d have to go talk to some long term friends. Gretchen sighed, turned to Aaron, Georgiana, and Elizabeth “ I’m asking for your help, to reach out to all of Darcy’s family and friends.. I’ve spent little time in London and to the relatives and friends I’m just an interloper, come to England with the intent to steal their beloved Darcy and take him back to the Continent. The three of you know everyone who’ll be at the reception. I’d like you feed me information on people I’m about to meet. When I talk to them they’ll hear I know far more about them than they expect. Their accomplishments and witticisms would be helpful. I’ll convince these people that Darcy is both brilliant and lucky to win me for his wife. I’ll need you to stand close to me The one who knows least about a person I’m about to meet should distract them temporarily while the other people fills me in. With that it’ll be my task then to convince them that they’re very important and to impress them that I know so much. Let’s practise! That distinguished gentleman in dark green, one of you tell me about him, and the other engage our near companions. Georgiana told Gretchen what she could in two to three minutes while AAron Elizabeth engaged the person across from Gretchen. They were delighted to see how the gentleman beamed with pleasure as Gretchen talked to him. They walked over to a distinguished woman, everyone did their assignment the best they could. Once again the results were spectacular.” Looks like we’re going to be a great success tomorrow, but we’ve gotta break this up” They went into the drawing room, found Lady Catherine, and listened while Elizabeth entertained them by telling stories about Adam Collins, AAron’s brother. Lady Catherine demonstrated that she loved to associate with Aaron. In the short time Aaron had worked in Rosings, her holdings in Darcy-Collins Enterprises had become quite valuable. She was not a person to brag on her wealth, but the topic of the rebirth of the Combine factory in Rosings was interesting to everyone, if she could do it in a subtle way.
The next morning was a flurry of activity, Darcy and Aaron ate a quick breakfast and left for the short walk to the factory. To his surprise Bingley and another gentleman were dressed in the casual clothes of businessmen so they could go with him. They didn’t talk but walked briskly. When they got to the factory the man Darcy had hired and trained to be a factory manager was already there, his coat hanging somewhere, dressed in an apron to protect his pants and shirt. He had been there an hour and the workers had accepted him as comrade and were teaching him how they machined the metal parts essential to the combines. The gentleman who who had walked with them was Suffield, an important Lord , friend to Darcy and brother to the man Darcy had selected to be plant manager. The brothers greeted each other warmly. Bingley was friends of long standing with the young Suffield and had been very prudent in buying a substantial number shares the old factory when Darcy bough out Gutherie. They chatted for a time. The young Suffield told Aaron he’d done a good job in selecting the men he’d hired so far and he now considered them to be “associates” not employees.On the way back to Rosings, the elder Suffield regaled them with stories about how his parents had been distant to his young brother and as a result his brother felt closer to the staff than to his parents. That in turn created a very useful attitude and skill in working with people. They arrived back at Rosings in time for a quick lunch, then mingled with all the persons Lady Catherine had invited to the reception.. Aaron joined Gretchen, Georgiana, and Elizabeth and did his part in making Gretchen the center of attention. He definitely enjoyed talking to people , in his case people mostly wanted to talk about investments in industry and how hard it was to differentiate between the men who were going to develop a solid profitable business and those who would fail and abscond with all the investor’s money. Gretchen cousin Laurent was there and displayed his charm, elegance, and in conversation his extensive knowledge of industrial progress in Europe. After a time Lady catherine served tea and refreshments, and that was the signal the reception was over. People were reluctant to leave and Elizabeth, Aaron, and Georgiana stayed with Gretchen and Laurent in the refreshment area for a few last words for all those wanting a little more time at the party.
The Factory at Meryton
Laurent and Aaron went by horseback to Longbourne, arriving after dinner so Kitty and Jack sat with them while they ate leftovers. Kitty was excited and proud of all the improvement Jack had made at Longbourn as well as at the Lucas and Bingley estates. Jack was in the process of building coke ovens at all three estates, which would produce coal gas to light up the rooms in the evenings, hot water for the bathroom, and clean burning coke for the ovens and fireplaces. Jack’s stewardship now provided extra fowl and vegetables that could be sold at market. All tenants were working to keep rents up to date and all three estates were particularly prosperous. Jack was thinking of making a marriage offer to one of the Lucas daughters because Sir James needed a man to help him manage his estate.e The next morning Aaron and Laurent went directly to the factory. Only three of the hearths were going so he put those two to work manufacturing steel parts for the Combines. He assigned some laborers to help the machinists and some laborer to start building the wood parts for the Combines. Carpenters and stone workers were still working to get the rifling machines going to produce rifled Sharps breech loaders in production and Aaron was putting Hurst’s military background to use getting the machinery set up. Four machinist were working to convert old flintlock fowling pieces. They could barely produce enough to fill all the orders Hurst was bringing in. The area which was to repair tools, carts and wagons needed a lot of work. He saw Randle Long, a former employee at Dalrymple's who had helped Aaron when he was an apprentice.
Jack, I’m delighted to see you, I need to hire you to install the pulley system here. Find a few carpenters, figure out how to run the pulleys, and start building the frames. I’ll take you to meet the architect, Mr Jameson. You’ll have to work with him on where to run the pulleys. After introducing Randle and Mr. Jameson Aaron went to the area that would be the machine shop. Laurent was there training newly hired machinist the techniques required to produce the precision process needed to manufacture interchangeable parts. Aaron went to another station and started teaching newly hired machinist how to cut and weld steel to build parts for the combines. He took two of the capable machinist from upgrading flintlocks and put them to training the new hires in either metal parts for the combines or parts for flintlock upgrades. As lunch approached he and Laurent cleaned up, changed clothes, and left the factory to see if Lady Catherine and Georgiana had arrived. He walked to Netherfield, knocked on the door. Jane greeted him, was delighted to see him and Mr. Bingley joined them. He could see that lunch was almost ready, he guessed they were waiting for Lady Catherine and Georgiana before the final preparations. So you expect lady Catherine and Georgiana for lunch?
Mr. Bingley answered “Precisely correct! And you won’t believe how happy Lady Catherine will be to see you’re joining us!” Mr. Bingley laughed, “ until she met you and saw the miracle you performed on the factory in Rosings, she looked down on anyone who didn’t have the foresight to inherit a large fortune. Now she looks down on anyone who can’t take fortune by the throat and force it to release its bounty. Of Course Georgiana will be spreading sunshine that you’re here. When are you two going to get married? I look back in disgust at my tardiness at realizing that Jane and I were meant for each other.” Aaron didn’t respond, he just walked over and embraced his future brother in law , then walked into the kitchen to see if he could get some tea while he waited for lunch. He and Bingley were sitting, enjoying their tea when they heard the coach pull up. They quickly finished their tea, took the cups to the kitchen, and went outside. When Georgiana saw Aaron, her face lit up from her smile. She quickly walked up to Aaron, dropped her valise, and wrapped her arms around him. She was so happy she cried a little . Laurent joined them and Georgiana was her usual charming self at meeting Gretchen’s beloved cousin. Bingley and some servants picked up all the luggage, and they proceeded to take upstairs. Jane came running, and apologized for letting her walk take longer than planned., She kissed Georgiana lightly on the cheek “Hello sister! Darcy went to London--something about the next project.”
They sat down and the servant brought the food. They had some rabbit left over from last night, warmed in its own juices, fresh barley bread with butter, and some lettuce with a nice ginger dressing. Bingley observed”I hope Darcy tells me soon what the project is. I’ve set aside some income from last month. Usually I turn a nice profit if I get to invest in one of Darcy’s projects. Finally Gretchen joined them.
“I’m sorry I’m late--I’m so out….” she couldn’t continue, she was crying…..
They gathered around, Laurent knelled beside Gretchen, held her hand, and struggled to resist crying himself.
“All my life, I’ve been wanting to meet a man like Fritz, so handsome, so charming, so authoritative,....when I found out he needed me I jumped at the chance to spend every wakeful moment helping him recover, and I enjoyed every minute…...but that was not a courtship, that was a nurse taking care of her patient, and a patient out of gratitude and need falling in love with his nurse…. That’s not the basis for a marriage…..both of us need to face that…..We all know who Darcy should marry….if I hadn’t been such an opportunist.... in his misery he would have sought out Elizabeth…. I can make this right, but I need everyone’s help…...everyone has to help make the marriage between Elizabeth and Darcy work, then the universe will be righted…. Then I can meet the man who’s right for me”
Aaron had worked with many men, had watched them try to control and hide their emotions. It was clear that Laurent’s attachment to Gretchen was far beyond that of playmate and cousin.
Georgeiana and Elizabeth were quietly crying
Lady Catherine spoke…” The fault was not yours Gretchen. I was the one who forbade the marriage that fate did all in it’s power to arrange. We will succeed in getting Elizabeth and Darcy married--to each other... because the only thing stronger than our love for Darcy is his love for us. The difficult problem is how find to the path that leads Gretchen to the man nature intended. We all love Gretchen so much we simply bask in her love, and don’t struggle to know her. All of us has to change that. From now on we have to change that...Gretchen you’re going have to assist us in this, and we’re going to need help from your father and from Laurent. Aaron, you’re closest to Laurent among those here. It’ll be difficult but you have to talk to Laurent and try to get him involved. Lady Catherine, Elizabeth, Georgiana, and Gretchen stayed briefly, agreed to meet in two hours to work on a plan. Gretchen added “What we say and do effects Darcy, lets involve him as `
Lady Catherine answered, “I’ll leave a message for Darcy, that urgent business needs his attention. Very well … in two hours..” they left, with Laurent and Aaron walking back to the factory.
“Gretchen told me that when you were children you were sweethearts.”
“Yes, and for me that has never changed, but we can never marry. We’re cousins, my father has a hereditary brain malfunction and is in a sanitarium. If Gretchen and I were to have children they would almost certainly inherit my father’s disease. Gretchen and I must marry someone completely unrelated. That’s the reason I stayed in Liege and Gretchen moved to Britain. It’s impossible to see your intended every day, when marriage has suddenly become impossible. You won’t believe the effort my uncle, Gretchen’s father made researching family trees. When he found Darcy, and when Darcy’s betrothal was stopped he did everything in his power to get them together.”
Aaron put his arm around Laurent “You know, I expect you and I are the two of the best problem solvers in the world. We’re going to deal with this, but we’re going to involve Georgiana, Elizabeth, Gretchen, Darcy…...everyone ...to be sure we handle this ethically as well as scientifically. They walked quietly back into the factory.