"Feels heavy, looks black and all that.
But it might not be anything but straight lead with a sprinkling of silver.

I 've seen stuff that looked a lot better than this not run more 'n fifteen dollars to the ton.

And then again--" He began to tinker about with his pottery.

He dragged out a scoop from somewhere and prepared various white powders.

Then he turned to the furnace, with its high-chimneyed draft, and filled a container with the contents of the tobacco can.
"Let 'er roast, Son," he announced.