“Now indeed thou canst aid me,” said he; “stuff and sew this piece of sheep-skin, while I prepare the paper for the impressions.” The nimbly flying fingers soon completed the task; and when Gutenberg had added a handle to the ball, the first printer’s dabber was ready. “One more servant of my art,” Gutenberg pleasantly said as he dipped it in the ink which he had ground upon a slab, and applied it to a block. He then laid the paper upon it, and, with the polished handle of one of his graving tools, carefully smoothed and pressed it upon the raised portions of the block,--both picture and its letters. He then cautiously removed it, and both viewed the result with joyful emotions. “The new ink works marvelously!” said the inventor. “And this print even surpasses your first attempt!” “Yes, and I value it the more for the labor and contrivance it has cost me.” “Now I shall want a ‘St. Christopher’ in every room,” said Anna; “it will be like having more good people in the house, and our lives will be inspired by the memory of what they have done.” “But what am I to do?” rejoined Gutenberg. “I cannot afford the time and money to occupy myself in making pictures, unless it can also be turned to some pecuniary advantage.” “And is there no way of acquiring money from them?” “Not at present. I have, however, made an improvement on the pictures; they will grace our humble home, and it may be that I can make them useful to others.” “Yes, for whoever seeth them will want one.” “And be willing to pay for it?” “Aye, why not?” “We shall see. Thou hast confidence in my experiments.” “Ah, indeed have I; since I perceive that thou hast the power of devising wonderful arts!” Thus cheerily did the lapidary’s wife encourage him, admiring his work, suggesting the bright side of affairs, then tripping out into the yard to console the pigeons with seeds, to water her flowers, and train the wild-growing climbers within bounds, her heart the meanwhile full of her husband’s enterprise; and she murmured to herself,-- “John will succeed, and we shall be delivered from our trouble.” [Illustration] [Illustration] V. Pecuniary Troubles.--An Expedient.--Disappointment.--The Jewels.--A Sale.--Apprentices.--Visit to the Cathedral.--A New Enterprise. Gutenberg’s gratifying success was not devoid of trial, as has been hinted. In his hasty flight from Mentz, he had little money with him, and years of embarrassment followed, despite his diligence in business and economy. His mother’s remittances had been carefully husbanded; but since engaging in block-printing, this store had wasted away.