A Matter of Polish.
A fine driving-wagon is a pretty expensive article, and few realize why it should be. It is largely on account of the brilliant and lasting polish given to it.
Here is the laborious process.
First the plain wood is smoothly sandpapered.
Then a lead filler is put on, rubbed into the pores of the wood, and rubbed off again—all but what is in the pores—with powdered pumice-stone and water.
Then this is done again, to fill more pores.
Then it is done again.
Next a coat of black is put on, to color it. And it is rubbed down.
The same thing is done several times.
Then a coat of varnish. When it is dried, it is rubbed—almost off—with a piece of felt dipped in powdered pumice and water.
Then another coat of varnish, which is rubbed almost off.
Then another. Still another.
Ditto.
Ditto again.
Keep it up. Six or seven times in all. Then a coat of thin varnish. Rub it down.
Do it again.
Finally, for the glossy finish, a quick, smooth coat of varnish, which is left to dry, and is not rubbed off.
Altogether, fourteen coats, and most of them taken almost off again.
Do you wonder that these wagons cost rather tidy sums?
As I learned of all this, I couldn't help thinking of that "polish" which comes over a man's manners after he has been long in contact with the world, and has wisely learned life's lessons.
How much he has gained, and it has been rubbed off again—almost! What attrition he has been through! How slowly his character has come to its shining beauty!
But it has paid. O yes! it has paid richly.