Mr. Dennison was
perfectly familiar with repairing, and Mr. Howard with the construction
of watches. Notwithstanding this, however, neither of them had any
knowledge whatsoever as to certain details of the business--how to make
a dial, temper hairsprings, polish steel, or do watch-gilding
properly--and none of their men had either. As a result every one of
these separate arts and many like them had to be studied and mastered
from the foundation up, and after the chiefs themselves had experimented
and found out how to turn the trick they had to teach their men what
they personally had learned."

"Great Scott! I'd have given the business away to anybody who wanted
it," burst out Christopher.

"So would almost anybody else, I fancy," agreed the Scotchman. "But they
kept right on sticking at it. It wasn't their courage that gave out in
the end; it was their money. They simply could not continue to pull
along under so colossal a burden. Therefore after three years they sold
the business (operated at that time under the name of the Boston Watch
Company) to Mr. Royal Robbins, and he reorganized it and christened it
the Waltham Watch Company."

"It seems kind of a pity they had to sell it," mused Christopher with
regret. "The worst of the battle was over by that time."

"Yes. At least the foundation of the enterprise was well laid."

"What became of Mr. Dennison and Mr. Howard?" asked the boy.

"Mr. Howard went back to Roxbury to his first factory and there the
Howard Watch and Clock Company was formed. The saying goes that it is a
long lane that has no turning. Certainly every one familiar with Mr.
Howard's early struggles must have rejoiced in the success that
ultimately came to him. Mr. Dennison had in the meantime left the
Waltham company; but when it was reorganized he returned to it and
remained there several years to lend his invaluable aid to the new
firm."

"And did the concern go ahead after that?"

"Yes, it had reached calm waters by this time. Besides, when the Civil
War arose and the rate of gold went up, watches brought very high prices
and the company coined money. With it they were enabled to branch out
and not only improve their home plant but put up factories elsewhere.
Some of these were not, to be sure, successful; but as a whole the
business thrived wonderfully. Offices were established in London, and
America began to take her place among the big watchmaking countries of
the world."

"Hurrah fo