Timepiece Read Free Page B

arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in spring of 1897, his mother had taken the money and moved to Chicago with a man she had met only three weeks previously, leaving only a penned regret that forever lies pressed between the pages of David’s journal.
    As powerful as David had become financially,in matters of the heart he was vulnerable and Gibbs brooded over him, protecting him from those who sought financial gain through romantic liaison. This role gave Gibbs no pleasure, however, for he knew his friend’s loneliness. Despite David’s unhappy experience, he desired the companionship marriage brings, but was not sure how to proceed, viewing women much as the novice card player who understands the rules, but not how the game is really played.

    David finished his drink, then set it down in front of him as his friend studied him sadly. Gibbs gathered the empty glasses and stood to leave. “Still, she is quite pretty.”
    After a moment, David looked up. “Yes. Quite.”

CHAPTER FOUR

Lawrence
    Â 
    â€œThe first mechanical clock was invented in the year A.D. 979 in Kaifeng, China. Commissioned by the boy emperor for the purpose of astrological fortunetelling, the clock took eight years to construct and weighed more than two tons. Though of monstrous dimensions, the device was remarkably efficient, striking a gong every fourteen minutes and twenty-four seconds, nearly identical to our modern-day standard, at the same time turning massive rings designed to replicate the celestial movements of the three luminaries: the sun, the moon, and selected stars, all of which were crucial to Chinese astrological divination.
    â€œWhen the Tartars invaded China in 1108, they plundered the capital city and after disassembling the massive clock,carted it back to their own lands. Unable to put the precision piece back together, they melted it down for swords.”
    Note in David Parkin’s Diary
    MaryAnne knocked gently at David’s door, then opened it enough to peer in. “Mr. Parkin, you have a visitor.”
    David glanced up. “Who is it?”
    â€œHe would not give his name. He says he is a close friend.”
    â€œI am not expecting anyone. What does he look like?”
    â€œHe is an older gentleman . . .”
    David shrugged.
    â€œ. . . and he is a Negro.”
    â€œA Negro? I do not want to see any Negroes.”
    â€œI am sorry, sir. He said he was a close friend.”
    Just then, the man appeared behind MaryAnne. He was a large man, dressed as a soldier in a navy cotton shirt and tan pants with a leather bullet belt clasped to a silver cavalry buckle. He smiled at David. “David, you givin’ this nice lady a bad time.”
    David grinned. “I could not resist. Come in, Lawrence.”
    Surprised, MaryAnne stepped back and pulled open the door for him to enter.
    â€œSorry, ma’am. It’s David’s sense of humor.”
    â€œOr lack of,” she replied.
    Lawrence laughed jovially. “I like you, ma’am. Who is this lady, David?”
    â€œLawrence, meet Miss MaryAnne Chandler. She is my new secretary. Miss Chandler, this is Lawrence. He is the godfather to most of the clocks you see in this room.”
    â€œIt is a pleasure meeting you, sir.”
    Lawrence bowed. “It’s my pleasure, ma’am.”
    â€œGentlemen, if I may be excused.”
    David nodded and MaryAnne stepped away, shutting the door behind her.
    â€œWhere’s Miss Karen?” Lawrence asked.
    â€œIt has been a while since you have been around. Her mother took ill and she went back to Georgia.”
    â€œShe was a nice gal.”
    â€œYes. She did not think much of Negroes, though.”
    â€œHer upbringin’,” Lawrence said in her defense.
    â€œYou are kinder than you ought to be,” David said, reclining in his chair. “What have you brought to show me?”
    Lawrence lifted a gold pocket watch by its bob and