Chapter 4
Labouring in Thomas’ foundry was dirty, physical and dangerous but Nye was strong and hard work suited him. His job involved moving barrows of iron ore, coal and limestone, charging the furnaces and transferring molten metal to the moulds. Accidents were common. One labourer slipped as he emptied a barrow of ore into the furnace. He let go of the barrow rather than being dragged into the fire and watched it disappear into the throat of the kiln. As the barrow hit the fire it erupted, belching flames and molten slag. He was badly burned and never worked again. Nye found puddling the metal one of the most difficult and unpleasant jobs. When the furnace was up to temperature and the molten contents boiling, it was stirred using long iron ladles that slowly dissolved into the mixture. The ladles weighed 25 pounds and it took a strong man to turn the thick porridge-like mix while facing a searing heat. Spikes of iron, like jagged icebergs, would float to the surface and had to be quickly stirred under before they oxidized. As each ladle melted and shrank it was replaced and the puddling continued, without stopping, for 30 minutes, the time needed to break up the impurities. The molten metal was then lifted from the furnace in 100 pound balls ready to be drawn; the next stage of the process. It was exhausting work.
Nye learned his job quickly and was soon accepted by the other men. He continued to lodge at the Star, helping Meir when asked, and became a drinking companion with Will Jones. Will encouraged Nye and the young labourer began to absorb the technical details of casting iron.
The new puddling process, suggested by Isaac Thomas, was a success and the improved quality of the iron which resulted, enabled Thomas and Son to progress from making cooking pots. Now, they were able to manufacture more complex products; cast iron stoves with intricate panels, special architectural orders, seats for distant towns and the most promising development of all; cannons. As the business expanded, Nye grew to appreciate the importance of Will Jones’ patterns. Without skilled pattern makers none of the intricate shapes could be cast.
Nye Vaughn’s thirst for knowledge and willingness to work hard did not go unnoticed by Mr. Thomas. One morning, Nye was summoned to the office.
‘How long have you been here Vaughn?’ asked Mr. Thomas.
‘Just over a year Mr. Thomas,’ replied Nye.
‘We’re expanding and I need a new foreman for the furnaces. The men respect you. Do you want the job? It’s a big responsibility but I’m confident you can do it,’ added the foundry owner. Nye was surprised by the offer.
‘If you’re willing to give me the chance I won’t let you down,’ replied Nye and grinned.
‘It’s settled then,’ said Mr. Thomas and the two men shook hands.
Mr. Thomas put on his hat and coat, turned to Eira who had been sitting quietly with her books and said,
‘Tell cook, I’m eating out and won’t be home for supper this evening.’ Then he left. Eira and Nye were alone in the office.
‘You’re going up in the world Mr. Vaughn,’ said Eira and smiled coyly.
‘So it seems. Will you walk out with me on Sunday?’ asked Nye. Just then, Isaac entered the office and demanded to know why Nye was there.
‘I was here to see your father,’ replied Nye.
‘Well, he’s not here and you’re not paid to loaf about. Get back to work,’ retorted Isaac. Nye shrugged and started for the door.
‘I’ll see you on Sunday after church, by the bridge,’ called Eira, as he left.
‘Stay away from him Eira. He’s a labourer and he’s living with the old woman who runs the Star Tavern,’ said Isaac, venomously.
Eira’s cheeks turned red, ‘He’s not a labourer. He’s the foreman of the furnace gang,’ she replied.
‘Since when?’ demanded Isaac.
‘Since father promoted him just before you arrived,’ she answered.
‘Labourer, foreman, it makes no difference, he’s a workman,’ replied Isaac. and slammed the door as he left. His father might be a gullible fool but Isaac wasn’t going to allow a farm boy like Vaughn get above his station.
Isaac was still angry when he saw his father in the street.
‘You made Vaughn a foreman without telling me,’ he shouted.
‘This isn’t the place to discuss our business. People can hear,’ said Mr. Thomas.
‘He’s an upstart. Do you know Vaughn’s got his eye on Eira?’
‘Not here, Isaac. We’ll talk about Vaughn later, at home’ replied Mr. Thomas and refused to discuss the matter further. That evening, when Mr. Thomas returned home, Isaac challenged his judgement again. It started as a discussion but when Eira supported her father, Isaac lost his temper, called his father a fool and stormed out. Isaac’s wife Delyth, who had sat quietly during the argument, picked up her things and followed her husband. Seeing her husband so annoyed intrigued Delyth. A man who Isaac found threatening, interested Delyth. Nye Vaughn, she decided, deserved further investigation.
The minister’s sermon was longer than normal on Sunday and the town hall clock had struck twelve before Eira was able to slip away from the church. She hurried to the bridge.
‘You’re late. I didn’t think you were coming,’ said Nye.
‘I nearly didn’t,’ replied Eira, ‘You don’t go to church?’
‘My mother was a Methodist but she never managed to persuade me there is a God. Anyway, church is for masters and gentry,’ replied Nye. The pair were unaware they were being observed. Isaac and Delyth had seen Eira leave the church and were watching from a distance.
‘Your father is easily taken in, promoting him so quickly like that. It’s indecent. Take care Isaac or Vaughn will be a partner one day,’ said Delyth, ‘You’re the one who has made the foundry a success. Your father’s no businessman. Left to him you would still be casting second rate cooking pots,’ she added. They watched Nye and Eira stroll along the river bank towards the mountain. ‘Or he might marry your sister and worm his way into the family,’ said Delyth as they disappeared from sight. Isaac's eyes darkened as he stared into the distance. He didn’t see the calculating, sideways glance his wife gave him.
Nye and Eira climbed to a cairn on the mountain and sat enjoying the view. The sun warmed their backs. Clouds floated over the valley, their shadows dancing across the landscape. An invisible skylark, was singing high above.
‘Why did you say you nearly didn’t come?’ asked Nye.
‘Isaac says you are living with a woman at a tavern. Is it true?’ asked Eira. Nye laughed.
‘You’re brother really doesn’t like me, does he? I am living with a woman but not in the way you think.’ Nye explained how he lodged at the Star Inn and the landlady was old enough to be his mother. Eira was relieved and they sat in comfortable silence. When Nye took her hand she did not pull away. When he kissed her she responded with a warmth that surprised Nye.
‘We should be getting back,’ said Nye awkwardly and stood up.
As they walked down the mountain Nye held Eira’s hand in his. The kiss had changed their relationship, offering a tantalizing promise of mutual trust and respect, an emotional adventure to come and private feelings to be shared with no one else. They didn’t speak until they were back in Merthyr.
‘I’ll walk you home,’ suggested Nye.
‘No, it’s better not to,’ replied Eira.
‘I’m not afraid of your brother,’ said Nye.
As they parted she turned to him with a warning, ‘Take care. Isaac can be spiteful.’
It was Tuesday evening and Nye was in the Star finishing his supper when a boy came with a message.
‘The Thomas lady said can you come to the house at once,’
‘What’s happened?’ asked Nye, grabbing his coat. The boy looked vacant and shrugged.
‘Something must be wrong. You had better hurry,’ said Meir. Nye ran most of the way and was out of breath when he reached the Thomas house. He rang the bell and was surprised when Delyth answered the door instead of the maid.
‘I got a message from Eira.
Is she all right?’
‘She’s perfectly well,’ replied Delyth and invited him into the parlour. ‘Sit down Nye,’ she said and pointed to the sofa. Delyth took Nye’s coat, placed it on a chair and sat beside him. ‘The message was from me,’ whispered Delyth. Nye felt uncomfortable. He could feel Delyth’s hot breath on his cheek.
‘Where is Eira?’ he asked quietly.
‘Don’t worry. Everyone, including the servants, are at a magic lantern show in the town hall. They won’t be back for hours,’ she whispered and took his hand, placing it on her leg. Then she brushed his cheek with her lips and kissed him. It was a long penetrating kiss designed to arouse. For a moment Nye was lost in the excitement. He felt confused. Then he thought of Eira and felt ashamed. Exhilaration turned to disgust. He pushed Delyth away.
‘Mrs. Thomas, you’re married. What are you doing?’
‘Isn’t it obvious,’ she said, laughing. She tried kissing him again. Nye stood up but Delyth was holding his shirt and would not let go. It ripped as he pulled away. Nye picked up his coat and left.
Delyth was crying when the family returned from the magic lantern show.
‘Is your headache worse Delyth?’ asked Eira.
‘I’ve been attacked,’ sobbed Delyth and threw off her shawl revealing her dress. There was a large tear down the side.
‘Who did it,’ demanded Isaac. Delyth told how a man had forced his way into the house and tried to rape her. She produced the torn rag she had ripped from her attacker’s shirt. A brown button was hanging by a thread from the corner.
‘Who was it?’ asked Eira.
‘One of the workmen, I think his name is Vaughn,’ answered Delyth.
‘This is a matter for the magistrate,’ said Mr.Thomas angrily.
‘I warned you father but you wouldn’t listen. Vaughn’s chanced his luck with Eira and now he’s attacked my wife. I’m not having her honour debated by a magistrate or the people of Merthyr sniggering behind our backs. This is a private affair to be discussed with no one. Do you understand? I’ll deal with Vaughn,’ said Isaac.
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