16 #16 Brief Lesson

Please bare with me for a moment ... As some readers may not all be from the USA, I'll give a small snapshot of history, then back to our story. I know it may be a bit boring to some so feel free if you do not wish to read all of this to scroll down to the page break that I have created to pick back up on the story line.

After the stock market crash of 1929 their was a major economic crash that affected the entire country and its territories. Though officially lasting until 1933 it took many years for the country to get fully back on its feet, approximately in 1937 after a slow progression of recovery efforts a backslide into a new depression occurred. Unemployment at that time was nearly 25% and 37% of all non farm workers, with a global GDP decline of -26.7% at its peak. Finally lifting at the start of American involvement in WWII in the 1940's. Many lost everything and committed suicide as they could not cope with the financial blow. Others lost all they had and coped trying in desperation to keep from starving to death. It was a dark time in this so called "Great Nation". Hence Money values of the time were not comparable to today's standards. $150.00 a year would be akin to a yearly earnings of $40,000 today. As such $3000.00 for a ring back then would be like paying several hundred thousand to millions currently.

Joseph Lauber was a designer for Tiffany and Company from 1885 to 1948. Then there was Joseph Briggs of Tiffany Glass Studios from 1893 to 1934 (roughly estimated). Not to forget Joseph Burr Tiffany who is associated with the famous Steinway pianos and cousin to Louis Comfort Tiffany of Tiffany and Co. These were real people, that I took a slight inspiration for my character of Joseph from by only loosely just using the name. Tiffany and Company had several branches, jewelry being only one of them. They also produced works in stained glass, leaded glass, cut glass, glass making, art studios, blown glass, and decorating. Absolute quality and Tiffany & Company go hand in hand worldwide. Tiffany was also one of a few companies of its kind in that era that not only gave prestige to the company name but also to its artists and designers. Tiffany once reported to have quoted, "To go after the money there is an art, but the art will be there just the same."

So far both of my stories have a basis in the Appalachian and Smokey Mountains. The Appalachian Mountain trail roughly runs along the eastern US from Maine to Georgia, intersecting or running congruent with a few smaller mountain ranges such as the Blue Ridge and Smokey Mountains, to name just a couple. I based them in this geographical region as I have family roots peppered throughout this area.

Though there are a few historical contexts and existing places throughout the story; this is in fact a fictional story.

Humble thanks to all who have taken a chance on this story. I do update randomly as I have tight time constraints in my personal life at this time. As things level out a bit more I will be able to update more frequently. I am not intending on dropping either of my novels at this time.

Alright guys and gals, I'll hush now and let our characters take back over. Much love to all of you.

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Kaleb regained his senses after about an hour and a half. Blinking he looked up and saw the relieved faces of his boss and grandfather. Mr. Joseph was off to the side as well explaining to his grandfather that he had given the poor boy quite a shock. Turning back to see the young man was alright, happiness was written all over his face.

"Forgive me, I had not intended to give you such a fright. I was just so in awe of this craftsmanship that I could not leave without it. I wish to show this to my employer and then hopefully give it to my darling bride as an anniversary gift afterwards. It is simply a marvel to me that this shop creates such lovely jewelry that is affordable to the public without sacrificing on the quality. You and your Master here have such a unique talent that is not often seen outside of our company as we hire, foster, and employ the most specialized craftsmen and craftswomen in the world to work for us. My employer is going to be simply over the moon once I show this to him. Well done my boy, well done. Not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can catch the eye of an employee of the company that I work for." Joseph winked as he finished his speech.

Kaleb then took the ring and rubbed it as if rubbing a priceless artifact with a polishing cloth and placed it into a small velvet box. With misty eyes he looked at Mr. Joseph and declared, "Thank you Sir for your purchase. Letting go of his creation was a bit hard but he knew it was what had to be done for not only the shop but also the livelihood of his family. Placing the money over Mr. Joseph smiled as bright as the sun. He then asked if the could see the work area that the shop had. Looking at the rudimentary tools of the shop he was even more in awe. He surveyed the gems that were in various stages of being processed and was so full that his heart was about to burst.

"Son, may I bother you with a question?" ,he asked, "Where on Earth do these beauties come from? I have never seen such superb specimens outside of Europe. Please enlighten me as to the source."

After much thought Kaleb turned to his grandfather and said plainly, "This is not my place to allow this information out as it is a special place of my family. You will have to talk it over with my grandfather as it is he who owns the land on which the location lies." Nodding his grandfather stepped out of the workroom to talk with Mr. Joseph. Meanwhile the jeweler handed over and envelope to Kaleb.