RUTHERFORD'S boilers were known all over the world, and it was at Rutherford's works that Adam Livesey wielded his hammer day after day. He was the subject of many a joke, on account of his silent, unsocial ways, and yet most of his fellow workmen felt kindly towards him. They could hardly do otherwise, for the man never resented their gibes, sometimes did not appear to hear them. If he contributed nothing to their enjoyment by his sayings, he took no offence at theirs, and did not attack the speakers in turn.
"Adam, lad," said one of them, as the striker paused to wipe the moisture from his brow, "have ye heard aught about the new manager that's coming?"
"No," was the brief reply.
"If saving words would save pence, Adam would be a rich man," put in another.
"'A still tongue makes a wise head,' they say. Do you believe that, Adam? I should think you must, or you wouldn't be so quiet. But, man, if it is true, how wise you must be!"
A general laugh followed this speech, and Adam smiled, somewhat grimly, for the words reminded him how he had longed to be something different from what he actually was.
"If Adam Livesey had been the first Adam that ever lived, I don't believe he would have felt lonely if no Eve had been given to him."
"Yes, I should, mates. I never was fond of being alone."
"Then you would stand by, for company, and let the other do the talking, eh, Adam?"
No response this time. There was work ready again, and the striker's hammer was raised to deliver one of those ponderous blows the sound of which was usually ringing through the smithy during working hours. But when another pause took place, the subject of the new manager was again introduced, and Adam listened attentively to what was said about him. He knew that Mr. John Rutherford, the junior partner, who had hitherto been the acting manager, had broken down in health, and was going abroad for some months. He had always been looked upon as the very life of the whole concern, and it was a matter of wonder and anxiety as to what Rutherford's would be without "our Mr. John."