Narrative Stories for First book "New Beginning (1750-1777)"
Portuguese Industrial & PRP Espionage
Town of Blackburn
Kingdom of England
March 22, 1768
The mood in the Forester Pub in the town of Blackburn was of tension and anger. After the collapse of several local shops during the past month, several of the towns leading business men had gathered to decide what to do regarding the disposition of the upstart named James Hargreaves.
“I tell you if we do not do something about this, it's the wool business going out the window next!” replied James angrily, the proprietor of one of the towns leading town’s business men. “Jack's gone out of business, Angus is at the church beggin' for shillings and Callum showed up yesterday at my door just for a place to sleep! These bloody inventors keep replacing us with machines! Trust me, before ya know it, you're fired cause they got 'Jenny' to replace you!”
“It's not so bad.” commented a friend. “We'll just have to wait for them to build more workshops, right?”
“And what will ya eat until then? Think the King'll offer charity to duffers like us?!”
“Do not fret yourself, I have a plan to get rid of Hargreaves once and for all” answered John the towns major weaver with a gleam in his eyes before emptying his tankard.
He looked around the table at the other five men seeing their eagerness matching his “Tomorrow night we will get all of our employees and their friends down at the Wharf, then we will march down to that troublemaker’s house and run him and all his cohorts out of town.”
The men all looked up and smiled at each other about the prospect of their problems being resolved and their profits recovering.
“It would not be our fault if something tragic was to happen; it is always hard to control desperate men who are defending their livelihood” joked a heavy set man named Walter.
The group ordered another round and continued plotting the demise of the much maligned entrepreneur James Hargreaves. Finally after their drinks were gone they each got up and made their way out into the chilly spring evening.
Unnoticed in a corner of the pub a nondescript man continued to nurse his ale until he was sure no one was noticing him. He got up slowly and made his way out the door, from there he made his way to the Royal Oak Inn where he and his assistant made plans for the next day.
***
James Hargreaves was having dinner with his wife and daughters when there was a loud knock. James became very startled at the reason someone would be knocking at his back door. He wearily got up and keeping himself between the person or persons at the door and his family he opened the door.
He was surprised to a gentleman of top hat and suit joined by a fellow in cloak. “Can I help you?” James inquired.
“James Hargreaves?” the man inquired when James acknowledged the question the man continued “I'm afraid we do not have much time, so listen carefully. My associate got word that a mob is making its way to your workshop and house at this very moment with the intention of ruining you and your family.” the man said in a very fast and accented voice. It sounded Spaniard, but not quite as strongly as what he was used to. “I fear for the safety of your family if you do not hurry.”
“What do you mean, and who are you anyway?” demanded James taken back by the news.
“Your local competitors have decided eliminate what they perceive as an unfair competitor, they mean to destroy your business and if you or your family get in the way they will not be terribly upset” replied the stranger
For the first time since he opened the door he became aware of the startled exclamation and anxiety emanating from his wife and daughters behind him.
“You still have not explained who you are!” replied James wife as she came up and stood behind her husband.
The stranger was interrupted from answering by his cloaked associate. “Master, the mob is getting closer we have less than few minutes before they are here” said the new stranger.
On cue with this interruption, the sound of a large group of people shouting far away as well as the light of torches were detected by the couple, making their faces go pale. “Dear Lord! What is going on?” James Hargreaves asked himself.
The gentlemen took a second to consider the news before addressing the servant “Get the wagons here right away, hurry.” He turned back to face the Hargreaves, “I am sorry, my name is Jack Silvestre
[1] and I was in town on business hopping to meet with inventors and industrialists like yourself and my servant overheard several people talking. I rushed here as soon as I could to offer any assistance I could, fearing the actions of these people”.
Before James could answer the sound of a wagon was heard, but although still a little away the noises of the mob could already be heard. His wife acted faster than he did. She directed the girls to run to their rooms and get whatever they could and bring it to the wagon out back. James finally reacted and rushed to his workshop.
“Do you need any help” Jack asked following James down the hall.
“Yes” replied James
Together they loaded several of the James assets, patents and documents onto the wagon behind the family along with other personal belongings. They took off just as the mob reached the front of the house. By the time they reached the end of the street the mob was ransacking the house and workshop and fire could already be seen from the second floor windows.
“What are we going to do, what is to become of us” asked Mrs. Hargreaves as James attempted to comfort her, he was unable to answer her though still in shock over the attack and narrow escape.
“Do not worry, I'm also a member of a certain embassy in London and I represent some very influential and powerful people who can help you and your family`` answer Jack from the front seat as they made their way out of town. “Mister Stephens, the one who funds me, will make sure you are properly taken care of.”
[1] Jack Silvestre was actually Joaquim Silves who travelled throughout England from 1764-1786 making contact with English businessmen and entrepreneurs.
