diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 3013013 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533-h/19533-h.htm | 4410 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533-h/images/imagep006.jpg | bin | 0 -> 120765 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533-h/images/imagep010.png | bin | 0 -> 112493 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533-h/images/imagep022.jpg | bin | 0 -> 172838 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533-h/images/imagep032a.png | bin | 0 -> 77208 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533-h/images/imagep032b.png | bin | 0 -> 50397 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533-h/images/imagep034.png | bin | 0 -> 96014 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533-h/images/imagep037.jpg | bin | 0 -> 163801 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533-h/images/imagep040.jpg | bin | 0 -> 132549 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533-h/images/imagep044.png | bin | 0 -> 117340 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533-h/images/imagep046.jpg | bin | 0 -> 160669 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533-h/images/imagep066.png | bin | 0 -> 163904 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533-h/images/imagep068.jpg | bin | 0 -> 153793 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533-h/images/imagep076.jpg | bin | 0 -> 162258 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533-h/images/imagep078.jpg | bin | 0 -> 137044 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533-h/images/imagep102.png | bin | 0 -> 44158 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533-h/images/imagep119.png | bin | 0 -> 21151 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533-h/images/imagep120.jpg | bin | 0 -> 125792 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533-h/images/imagep134.png | bin | 0 -> 174980 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533-h/images/imagep136.png | bin | 0 -> 155794 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533-h/images/imagep138.jpg | bin | 0 -> 145540 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533-h/images/imagep142.jpg | bin | 0 -> 160891 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533-h/images/imagep146.jpg | bin | 0 -> 143275 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533-h/images/imagep162.jpg | bin | 0 -> 178499 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533.txt | 4118 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 19533.zip | bin | 0 -> 41368 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 |
30 files changed, 8544 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/19533-h.zip b/19533-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4f227f2 --- /dev/null +++ b/19533-h.zip diff --git a/19533-h/19533-h.htm b/19533-h/19533-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d76bdae --- /dev/null +++ b/19533-h/19533-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,4410 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> +<html> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Stories of Great Inventors, by Hattie E. Macomber. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + P { margin-top: .5em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .5em; + text-indent: 1em; + } + H1 { + text-align: center; font-family: garamond, serif; /* all headings centered */ + } + H5,H6 { + text-align: center; font-family: garamond, serif; /* all headings centered */ + } + H2 { + text-align: center; font-family: garamond, serif; /* centered and coloured */ + } + H3 { + text-align: center; font-family: garamond, serif; /* centered and coloured */ + } + H4 { + text-align: center; font-family: garamond, serif; /* all headings centered */ + } + HR { width: 33%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + } + BODY{margin-left: 20%; + margin-right: 20%; + font-size: 125%; + } + a {text-decoration: none} /* no lines under links */ + div.centered {text-align: center;} /* work around for IE centering with CSS problem part 1 */ + div.centered table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;} /* work around for IE centering with CSS problem part 2 */ + + .cen {text-align: center; text-indent: 0em;} /* centering paragraphs */ + .sc {font-variant: small-caps;} /* small caps, normal size */ + .noin {text-indent: 0em;} /* no indenting */ + .block {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 5%;} /* block indent */ + .hang {text-indent: -1em; margin-top: .1em; margin-bottom: .1em;} /* hanging indents */ + .right {text-align: right; padding-right: 2em;} /* right aligning paragraphs */ + .totoc {position: absolute; right: 2%; font-size: 55%; text-align: right;} /* Table of contents anchor */ + .img {text-align: center; padding-top: .5em; padding-bottom: .5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} /* centering images */ + .tdr {text-align: right;} /* right align cell */ + .tdc {text-align: center;} /* center align cell */ + .tdl {text-align: left;} /* left align cell */ + .tdlsc {text-align: left; font-variant: small-caps;} /* aligning cell content and small caps */ + .tdrsc {text-align: right; font-variant: small-caps;} /* aligning cell content and small caps */ + .tdcsc {text-align: center; font-variant: small-caps;} /* aligning cell content and small caps */ + .tr {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; margin-top: 5%; margin-bottom: 5%; padding: 1em; background-color: #f6f2f2; color: black; border: dotted black 1px; font-size: 80%;} /* transcriber's notes */ + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; right: 2%; + font-size: 55%; + color: silver; + background-color: inherit; + text-align: right; + text-indent: 0em; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal;} /* page numbers */ + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 90%;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: text-top; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left: 20%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span {display: block; margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em;} + .poem span.pn { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; right: 2%; + font-size: 75%; + text-align: right; + text-indent: 0em; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + color: silver; background-color: inherit; + font-variant: normal;} /* page numbers in poems */ + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's Stories of Great Inventors, by Hattie E. Macomber + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Stories of Great Inventors + Fulton, Whitney, Morse, Cooper, Edison + +Author: Hattie E. Macomber + +Release Date: October 13, 2006 [EBook #19533] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORIES OF GREAT INVENTORS *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Jeannie Howse and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> + +<div class="tr"> +<p class="cen" style="font-weight: bold;">Transcriber's Note:</p> +<br /> +<p class="noin">This children's book has a new paragraph for every sentence, +and other unusual formatting.</p> +<p class="noin">Inconsistent hyphenation and quotation marks in the original +document have been preserved.</p> +<p class="noin">A number of obvious typographical errors have been corrected in this text. +For a complete list, please see the <a href="#TN">end of this document</a>.</p> +</div> + +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> + +<h3><i>Young Folk's Library of Choice Literature</i></h3> + +<br /> + +<h2>STORIES OF</h2> +<h1>GREAT INVENTORS</h1> + +<p style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="margin-left: 20%;">FULTON</span><br /><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 30%;">WHITNEY</span><br /><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 40%;">MORSE</span><br /><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 50%;">COOPER</span><br /><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 60%;">EDISON</span></p> + +<h5>BY</h5> +<h3>HATTIE E. MACOMBER</h3> + +<br /> +<br /> + +<h5>EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHING COMPANY<br /> +BOSTON<br /> +<span class="sc">New York Chicago San Francisco</span></h5> + +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h5><span class="sc">Copyrighted</span><br /> +By EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHING COMPANY<br /> +1897</h5> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a name="toc" id="toc"></a><hr /> +<br /> + +<h3>CONTENTS.</h3> +<br /> + +<div class="centered"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="80%" summary=""> + <tr> + <td class="tdlsc" width="80%"> </td> + <td class="tdrsc" width="20%"><span style="font-size: 80%;">Page</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlsc"><a href="#Robert_Fulton">Robert Fulton</a></td> + <td class="tdr">7</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlsc"><a href="#Eli_Whitney">Eli Whitney</a></td> + <td class="tdr">41</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlsc"><a href="#Samuel_Finley_Breese_Morse">Samuel Morse</a></td> + <td class="tdr">79</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlsc"><a href="#Peter_Cooper">Peter Cooper</a></td> + <td class="tdr">121</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlsc"><a href="#A_Great_Inventor">Thomas A. Edison</a></td> + <td class="tdr">147</td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> + +<div class="img"> +<a href="images/imagep006.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep006.jpg" width="70%" alt="FULTON." /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em; font-size: 80%;">FULTON.</p> +</div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a name="Robert_Fulton" id="Robert_Fulton"></a><hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span><br /> + +<h2 class="sc">Robert Fulton.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h2> +<br /> + +<p>This story is about a giant.</p> + +<p>Do you believe in them?</p> + +<p>He peeps out of your coffee cup in the morning.</p> + +<p>He cheers you upon a cold day in winter.</p> + +<p>But the boys and girls were not so well acquainted with him a +hundred years ago.</p> + +<p>About that long ago, far to the north and east, a queer boy lived.</p> + +<p>He sat in his grandmother's kitchen many an hour, watching the +tea-kettle.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span>He seemed to be idle.</p> + +<p>But he was really very busy.</p> + +<p>He was talking very earnestly to the giant.</p> + +<p>The giant was a prisoner.</p> + +<p>No one knew how to free him.</p> + +<p>Many had often tried to do this and failed.</p> + +<p>He was almost always invisible.</p> + +<p>But when he did appear, it was in the form of a very old man.</p> + +<p>This old man had long, white hair, and a beard which seemed to +enwrap him like a cloak—a cloak as white as snow.</p> + +<p>So his name is The White Giant.</p> + +<p>The boy's name was James Watt.</p> + +<p>He lived in far-away Scotland.</p> + +<p>He sat long, listening to the White Giant as he told him many +wonderful things.</p> + +<p>The way in which the giant first showed himself to James was very +strange.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span>James noticed that the lid of the tea-kettle was acting very +strangely.</p> + +<p>It rose and fell, fluttered and danced.</p> + +<p>Now, James had lived all his life among people who believed in +witches and fairies.</p> + +<p>So he was watching for them.</p> + +<p>And he thought there was somebody in the kettle trying to get out.</p> + +<p>So he said, "Who are you and what do you want?"</p> + +<p>"Space, freedom, and something to do," cried the giant.</p> + +<p>"If you will only let me out, I'll work hard for you.</p> + +<p>I'll draw your carriages and ships.</p> + +<p>I'll lift all your weights.</p> + +<p>I'll turn all the wheels of your factories.</p> + +<p>I'll be your servant always, in a thousand other ways."</p> + +<div class="img"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +<a href="images/imagep010.png"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep010.png" width="90%" alt="JOHN FITCH'S STEAMBOAT, 1788." /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em; font-size: 80%;">JOHN FITCH'S STEAMBOAT, 1788.<br /> +By permission of Providence & Stonington Steamship Co.</p> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span>If you have now guessed the common name of this giant, we will call +him Steam.</p> + +<p>At the time James Watt lived, there were no steam boats, steam +mills, nor railways.</p> + +<p>And this boy, though his grandmother scolded, thought much about the +giant in the tea-kettle.</p> + +<p>And he became the inventor of the first steam engine that was of any +use to the world.</p> + +<p>So, little by little, people came to know that steam is a great, +good giant.</p> + +<p>They tried in many different ways to make him useful.</p> + +<p>They wished very much to make him run a boat.</p> + +<p>One man tried to run his boat in a queer way.</p> + +<p>He made something like a duck's foot to push it through the water.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>Another moved his boat by forcing a stream of water in at the bow +and out at the stern.</p> + +<p>Then came a man named John Fitch.</p> + +<p>He made his engine run a number of oars so as to paddle the boat +forward.</p> + +<p>He grew very poor.</p> + +<p>People laughed at him.</p> + +<p>But he said, "When I shall be forgotten, steam boats will run up the +rivers and across the seas."</p> + +<p>Then people laughed the harder and called him "a crank."</p> + +<p>Mr. Fitch's boat was tried in 1787.</p> + +<p>Now, in 1765, there happened a good thing for this old world.</p> + +<p>A little baby boy was born in that year.</p> + +<p>Perhaps you wonder why it was such a good thing for the world.</p> + +<p>Some of you will know why when you read that this baby's name was +Robert Fulton.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>His father was poor.</p> + +<p>His father was a farmer in Pennsylvania.</p> + +<p>Mr. Fulton had two little girls older than baby Robert.</p> + +<p>When Robert was grown larger he had three sisters and one brother.</p> + +<p>But their father died when they were all small.</p> + +<p>Robert did not go to school till he was eight years old.</p> + +<p>His mother taught him at home.</p> + +<p>He knew how to read and write, and a very little arithmetic.</p> + +<p>His first teacher was a Mr. Johnson.</p> + +<p>Mr. Johnson was a Quaker.</p> + +<p>He thought Robert a dull pupil.</p> + +<p>Robert did not learn his lessons very well.</p> + +<p>But Mr. Johnson soon found that he was never idle.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span>He did not care to play at recess.</p> + +<p>He stayed in and used his pencil in drawing.</p> + +<p>He often spent hours in this way.</p> + +<p>Robert soon became fond of going into the machine shops.</p> + +<p>He understood machinery very quickly.</p> + +<p>The men always gave him a welcome.</p> + +<p>He didn't get into mischief.</p> + +<p>He often helped the men with his neat drawings.</p> + +<p>One day Robert was late in getting to school.</p> + +<p>The master asked the reason.</p> + +<p>Robert answered that he had been in Mr. Miller's shop pounding out +lead for a lead pencil.</p> + +<p>Mr. Johnson then encouraged him in doing such useful things.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>In a few days, all the pupils in the school had pencils made in that +way.</p> + +<p>Mr. Johnson urged Robert to give more attention to his studies.</p> + +<p>Robert said, "My head is so full of thoughts of my own that I +haven't room there for the thoughts from dusty books."</p> + +<p>As he was not idle, no doubt this was true.</p> + +<p>When Robert was thirteen, the boys in the town had a great +disappointment.</p> + +<p>It was nearly July.</p> + +<p>Of course the boys expected to celebrate the Fourth.</p> + +<p>But a notice was put up.</p> + +<p>This notice urged the people not to illuminate their homes.</p> + +<p>It was very warm weather.</p> + +<p>The people then had only candles with which to light their homes.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>Candles were very scarce.</p> + +<p>But Robert had some.</p> + +<p>He took them to a shop and exchanged them for powder.</p> + +<p>The owner of the store asked him why he gave up the candles, which +were so scarce and dear.</p> + +<p>Robert said, "I am a good citizen, and if our officers do not wish +us to illuminate the town, I shall respect their wishes."</p> + +<p>He found some pieces of paste-board.</p> + +<p>He rolled these himself.</p> + +<p>In this way he made some rockets.</p> + +<p>The store-keeper told him he would find it impossible to do this.</p> + +<p>"No, sir," Robert answered, "there is nothing impossible."</p> + +<p>His rockets were a success, and the people were astonished.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span>Robert bought at different times small quantities of quicksilver.</p> + +<p>The men in the machine shops were curious to know what he did with +it.</p> + +<p>But they could not find out.</p> + +<p>For this reason they called him "Quicksilver Bob."</p> + +<p>Robert was interested in guns.</p> + +<p>Sometimes he would tell the workmen how to improve them.</p> + +<p>The men liked him so well that they were always willing to try +whatever he advised.</p> + +<p>Robert was fond of fishing.</p> + +<p>One of the workmen often went fishing with his father.</p> + +<p>This man sometimes took Robert.</p> + +<p>They had only an old flat boat.</p> + +<p>The boys had to pole the boat from place to place.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>It was hard work.</p> + +<p>They were sometimes very tired.</p> + +<p>Robert, soon after one fishing excursion, went away to visit an +aunt.</p> + +<p>He was gone a week.</p> + +<p>While away he made a complete model of a little fishing boat.</p> + +<p>This boat had paddle wheels.</p> + +<p>The model was placed in the garret.</p> + +<p>Many years afterward his aunt was proud to have it as an ornament on +her parlor table.</p> + +<p>Of course the boys arranged a set of paddle wheels for their fishing +boat.</p> + +<p>After this they enjoyed their fishing much more than before.</p> + +<p>Robert Fulton's boyhood was during the Revolutionary War.</p> + +<p>He made many queer pictures of the Hessian soldiers.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span>These Hessians were Germans, who had been hired by the British to +help them fight the Americans.</p> + +<p>The people who wished our country to belong to England were called +Tories.</p> + +<p>Those who wished America to be free were called Whigs.</p> + +<p>The Whig boys often fought the Tory boys on the soldiers' camp +ground.</p> + +<p>The soldiers grew tired of this.</p> + +<p>They stretched a rope to keep the boys out.</p> + +<p>Robert drew a picture in which the Whigs crossed the rope and +whipped the Tories.</p> + +<p>The boys all thought it a good picture.</p> + +<p>So they tried to make it real.</p> + +<p>They became so troublesome that the town officers had to interfere.</p> + +<p>But Robert was all this time fast growing up.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>He had to choose some way of taking care of himself.</p> + +<p>He was more fond of his pencil and brush than of anything else.</p> + +<p>Near his home, had lived a celebrated painter.</p> + +<p>His name was Benjamin West.</p> + +<p>Benjamin West's father and Robert's father had been great friends.</p> + +<p>Mr. West had become famous.</p> + +<p>He now lived in England.</p> + +<p>Robert thought he would like to be an artist, too.</p> + +<p>So he left his home and went to the city of Philadelphia.</p> + +<p>He knew that it meant hard work.</p> + +<p>He was industrious and pains-taking.</p> + +<p>He had many friends.</p> + +<p>Benjamin Franklin was one of his friends.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>Soon he did very nice work.</p> + +<p>In the four years after he was seventeen, he not only took care of +himself, but sent money to his mother and sisters.</p> + +<p>He spent his twenty-first birthday at home.</p> + +<p>He had then earned enough money to buy a small farm for his mother.</p> + +<p>For this farm he paid four hundred dollars.</p> + +<p>He helped his family to get nicely settled in their new home.</p> + +<p>Then he went back to Philadelphia.</p> + +<p>At this time Mr. Fulton, as we must now call him, was not well.</p> + +<p>Partly for this reason he decided to take a voyage to Europe.</p> + +<p>He carried letters from many well-known Americans.</p> + +<p>He found friends in Europe.</p> + +<p>Benjamin West was kind to him there.</p> + +<div class="img"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +<a href="images/imagep022.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep022.jpg" width="95%" alt="A CANAL SCENE." /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em; font-size: 80%;">A CANAL SCENE.</p> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span>He soon had plenty of work to do.</p> + +<p>One of his friends was an English gentleman, who was called the Earl +of Stanhope.</p> + +<p>The Earl was much interested in canals.</p> + +<p>Canals, you probably know, are artificial rivers.</p> + +<p>Boats are drawn on them by horses, which walk along a path on the +shore.</p> + +<p>The path is called the tow-path.</p> + +<p>Railways were almost unknown then.</p> + +<p>So canals were very useful in carrying goods across the country.</p> + +<p>They had been in use in Europe and Asia for hundreds of years.</p> + +<p>Mr. Fulton invented a double inclined-plane.</p> + +<p>This could be used in raising and lowering canal boats without +disturbing their cargoes.</p> + +<p>The British government gave Mr. Fulton a patent upon it.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span>Mr. Fulton wrote a book about canals and the ways in which they help +a country.</p> + +<p>He sent copies of this book to the President of the United States, +and other men in high offices.</p> + +<p>He thought canals would help America.</p> + +<p>But it was ten years before he could get people to think much about +it.</p> + +<p>Then Mr. Fulton helped in planning the Erie Canal.</p> + +<p>This was very successful.</p> + +<p>You can see this canal now.</p> + +<p>It is in the State of New York and is still used.</p> + +<p>Mr. Fulton planned a cast-iron aqueduct which was built in Scotland.</p> + +<p>An aqueduct is often made to carry water to cities.</p> + +<p>He invented a mill for sawing marble, a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>machine for spinning flax, +another for scooping out earth, called a dredging machine, and +several kinds of canal boats.</p> + +<p>You will wonder before reaching the end of this story how one man +could do so many things.</p> + +<p>But you must remember that he was never lazy as a boy, and so +learned to make good use of every moment.</p> + +<p>In 1797, Mr. Fulton went to the greatest city in France, called +Paris.</p> + +<p>There he made a new friend.</p> + +<p>This was Joel Barlow, an American and a poet.</p> + +<p>Mr. Fulton thought that all ships should have the freedom of the +ocean.</p> + +<p>He thought it would take hundreds of years to get all nations to +consent to this.</p> + +<p>He believed that he could find a quicker way.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>He thought it would be best to blow up all warships.</p> + +<p>He made a little sub-marine boat.</p> + +<p>Sub-marine means under the sea.</p> + +<p>This boat could be lowered below the surface of the water.</p> + +<p>He found a way to supply it with air.</p> + +<p>But he could not get it to run swiftly.</p> + +<p>It took much money to build such boats.</p> + +<p>He tried to get the French government to help him.</p> + +<p>He was often tired and disappointed.</p> + +<p>But he never stopped trying.</p> + +<p>He tried to destroy some large boats.</p> + +<p>This was to be done with torpedoes.</p> + +<p>But he was not very successful.</p> + +<p>He succeeded in destroying one boat.</p> + +<p>But since then others have carried out his plan, and torpedoes are +often used in war.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span>This little story is told of Mr. Fulton:—</p> + +<p>He was once in New York working upon his torpedoes.</p> + +<p>He invited the Mayor and many others to hear him lecture.</p> + +<p>They came and were all much interested.</p> + +<p>He showed them the copper cylinders which were to hold the powder.</p> + +<p>Then he showed them the clockwork, which, when it was set running, +would cause the cylinders to explode.</p> + +<p>He turned to a case and drew out a peg.</p> + +<p>He then said, "Gentlemen, this torpedo is all ready to blow up a +vessel.</p> + +<p>It contains one hundred and seventy pounds of powder.</p> + +<p>The clockwork is now running.</p> + +<p>If I should allow it to run fifteen minutes it would blow us all to +atoms."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span>His audience was much frightened.</p> + +<p>They all ran away.</p> + +<p>Mr. Fulton put the peg back in its place.</p> + +<p>He told them it was then safe.</p> + +<p>Not until then did they dare come back.</p> + +<p>But now our giant, Steam, became the friend of Mr. Fulton.</p> + +<p>Many had tried to put this giant to work.</p> + +<p>But at first he seemed rather hard to teach.</p> + +<p>Long before, a poet had written these lines, which show how much +people hoped to make the giant do:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Soon shall thy arm, unconquered Steam, afar<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Drag the slow barge, or drive the rapid car."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>It was a true prophecy.</p> + +<p>Mr. Fulton married the daughter of a Mr. Walter Livingston.</p> + +<p>This Mr. Livingston had a relative who was a great man, and a rich +man.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span>He was much interested in all inventions.</p> + +<p>He often helped inventors with his money.</p> + +<p>He had long believed that boats could be moved by steam.</p> + +<p>At one time the state of New York gave him the right of all steam +boats for twenty years.</p> + +<p>He was given the right if he would get one steam boat running within +a year.</p> + +<p>But the year passed and the boat was not built.</p> + +<p>Everybody made fun of his "grand rights."</p> + +<p>At this time our government made him our minister to France.</p> + +<p>There he met Robert Fulton for the first time.</p> + +<p>And in Paris Mr. Livingston and Mr. Fulton made a steam boat.</p> + +<p>When it was finished they invited their friends to come and see it +tried.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span>Early upon the morning when they hoped to succeed, a messenger came.</p> + +<p>He bore sad news.</p> + +<p>The new boat had broken in two.</p> + +<p>The machinery was too heavy for it.</p> + +<p>It had sunk to the bottom of the river Seine.</p> + +<p>Mr. Fulton had not had his breakfast.</p> + +<p>He hurried to the river.</p> + +<p>He worked standing in the cold water.</p> + +<p>In twenty-four hours he had saved the machinery, and some other +parts of the boat.</p> + +<p>But it made him ill.</p> + +<p>He never was so strong again.</p> + +<p>Of course he felt greatly discouraged.</p> + +<p>They went to work again.</p> + +<p>They built another boat.</p> + +<p>This was a success.</p> + +<p>It was sixty-six feet long, and moved by wheels on the side.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span>Mr. Livingston and Mr. Fulton decided to try again in America upon +the Hudson River.</p> + +<p>Mr. Livingston was given again the same privileges by the State of +New York.</p> + +<p>But this time Mr. Fulton was his partner.</p> + +<p>They were given two years in which to make their boat.</p> + +<p>They were to make one which could go four miles an hour.</p> + +<p>It took much money.</p> + +<p>Mr. Fulton promised to ask only a certain sum of Mr. Livingston.</p> + +<p>But this sum proved to be too small.</p> + +<p>He went to see a friend.</p> + +<p>He talked long and earnestly to him.</p> + +<p>But the friend grew tired and told him he must go home or go to bed.</p> + +<p>Mr. Fulton wanted one thousand dollars.</p> + +<p>His friend said he would see him again.</p> + +<div class="img"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +<a href="images/imagep032a.png"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep032a.png" width="95%" alt="THE ERUCTOR AMPHIBOLIS." /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em; font-size: 80%;">THE ERUCTOR AMPHIBOLIS.<br /> +A COMBINED STEAMBOAT AND LOCOMOTIVE CONSTRUCTED BY OLIVER EVANS A +NATIVE OF NEWPORT, DELAWARE, IN 1804.</p> +</div> + +<br /> + +<div class="img"> +<a href="images/imagep032b.png"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep032b.png" width="95%" alt="PERSPECTIVE VIEW OF MACHINERY IN FULTON'S CLERMONT." /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em; font-size: 80%;">PERSPECTIVE VIEW OF MACHINERY IN FULTON'S CLERMONT.<br /> +By permission of Providence & Stonington Steamship Co.</p> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span>Mr. Fulton came again before the poor man had had any breakfast.</p> + +<p>He gave him no peace.</p> + +<p>But he got his money at last.</p> + +<p>Mr. Fulton was much laughed at for trying to make such a boat.</p> + +<p>The boat was called by people, "Fulton's Folly."</p> + +<p>His friends would listen politely to him.</p> + +<p>But he said he knew they did not believe in him.</p> + +<p>He often, as he walked about, heard people laugh and sneer at him.</p> + +<p>But at last the boat was done.</p> + +<p>The sun rose smiling on that August morning.</p> + +<p>The world was enjoying its morning nap.</p> + +<p>Only a few people were on the shores.</p> + +<p>Gracefully the boat was moved from the Jersey shore.</p> + +<div class="img"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +<a href="images/imagep034.png"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep034.png" width="95%" alt="THE CLERMONT, 1807." /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em; font-size: 80%;">THE CLERMONT, 1807.<br /> +By permission of Providence & Stonington Steamship Co.</p> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span>Those who saw were amazed.</p> + +<p>Old sailors were frightened.</p> + +<p>When they saw a boat with no sails, they thought it an evil spirit.</p> + +<p>But the long line of black smoke which they saw was only the breath +of the dear old giant, Steam.</p> + +<p>At last he had something to do.</p> + +<p>This boat was called the Clermont.</p> + +<p>It passed the city of New York.</p> + +<p>It passed the beautiful Highlands of the Hudson.</p> + +<p>It puffed patiently on until it reached Albany.</p> + +<p>All along the shores people watched it breathlessly.</p> + +<p>Everybody stopped sneering and cheered.</p> + +<p>The Clermont had gone one hundred and fifty miles in thirty-two +hours.</p> + +<p>Except that the ocean steamships are larger, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>handsomer, and more +finely finished, they are much like Mr. Fulton's Clermont.</p> + +<p>Who can doubt Mr. Fulton's joy at his success.</p> + +<p>At last he had found a way to make all nations know each other.</p> + +<p>Mr. Fulton had other troubles after this.</p> + +<p>Wicked people tried to steal his invention from him.</p> + +<p>But no one else has ever been given credit for it.</p> + +<p>Everyone who tried a ride upon the boat found it much nicer than +jolting along in a stage coach.</p> + +<p>In two years a regular line of boats was running between the great +city of New York and its capital city.</p> + +<p>Mr. Fulton built other boats.</p> + +<p>Some of them were ferry-boats.</p> + +<div class="img"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +<a href="images/imagep037.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep037.jpg" width="95%" alt="BROOKLYN BRIDGE AND FULTON FERRY." /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em; font-size: 80%;">BROOKLYN BRIDGE AND FULTON FERRY.</p> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span>A ferry from New York to Long Island is still called by his name, +Fulton Ferry.</p> + +<p>Do you suppose the thousands of people who cross by it, ever think +of patient, industrious, hard-working, Robert Fulton?</p> + +<p>In January, 1815, Mr. Fulton went to Trenton, New Jersey, as witness +in a lawsuit.</p> + +<p>The weather was very severe.</p> + +<p>Mr. Fulton became much chilled.</p> + +<p>In coming back his boat was caught in the ice.</p> + +<p>It was several hours before it could be moved.</p> + +<p>You remember Mr. Fulton was not very strong.</p> + +<p>He was ill for several days.</p> + +<p>He was very anxious about a boat which he was building.</p> + +<p>He left his bed too soon.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>He was then taken very ill indeed.</p> + +<p>And upon the twenty-fourth of February, 1815, the world lost this +great man.</p> + +<p>Everyone mourned his loss.</p> + +<p>The great city of New York was in mourning.</p> + +<p>He was buried in the Livingston vault in Trinity Churchyard, New +York.</p> + +<p>No monument has ever been raised over this great man.</p> + +<p>But the boats which every year ply back and forth upon lake, river, +and ocean, are constant reminders of his great work for the world.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> + +<div class="img"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +<a href="images/imagep040.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep040.jpg" width="70%" alt="ELI WHITNEY." /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em; font-size: 80%;">ELI WHITNEY.</p> +</div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a name="Eli_Whitney" id="Eli_Whitney"></a><hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span><br /> + +<h2 class="sc">Eli Whitney.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h2> +<br /> + +<p>The war, called the Revolution, was ended.</p> + +<p>The treaty of peace had been signed.</p> + +<p>America had won her freedom.</p> + +<p>Our country then was smaller than now.</p> + +<p>It contained only about four million people.</p> + +<p>These people were widely scattered.</p> + +<p>The world did not think of the United States as an important +country.</p> + +<p>It was thought to be about as important as Denmark or Portugal is +now.</p> + +<p>We call one part of our country the South.</p> + +<p>The South of this time was very different from the South of to-day.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>Fewer cities were to be seen.</p> + +<p>Many forests covered the land.</p> + +<p>The plantations were few.</p> + +<p>Plantation is the southern word for farm.</p> + +<p>There were not many slaves then.</p> + +<p>People hoped slavery would die out.</p> + +<p>They thought it might if it were let alone.</p> + +<p>Many people left the South to find other homes.</p> + +<p>This was because they could not make a good living there.</p> + +<p>Indigo, rice, and cotton were raised.</p> + +<p>But only a little cotton was planted.</p> + +<p>This was because it was such hard work to get it ready to sell.</p> + +<p>Cotton grows upon a small shrub.</p> + +<p>People of olden times called it the "wool of trees."</p> + +<p>The Germans still call it "tree-wool."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>One kind is called "sea-island" cotton.</p> + +<p>This is because it grows well upon the low, sandy islands of the +sea.</p> + +<p>Some such islands are found near South Carolina.</p> + +<p>This cotton likes the salt which it finds in the soil.</p> + +<p>The herb cotton grows to a height of from eighteen to twenty-four +inches.</p> + +<p>The land is made ready for the seed during the winter.</p> + +<p>As soon as the frost is gone Mother Earth is given her baby seeds to +care for.</p> + +<p>Soon the beautiful plantlets appear.</p> + +<p>The leaves are of a dark green.</p> + +<p>Then later come the pale yellow flowers.</p> + +<p>The plants must then be well cared for.</p> + +<p>Toward autumn the fruit is seen.</p> + +<p>This looks like a walnut still in its rough coat.</p> + +<div class="img"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +<a href="images/imagep044.png"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep044.png" width="68%" alt="COTTON BALLS." /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em; font-size: 80%;">COTTON BALLS.</p> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span>Then the pods burst.</p> + +<p>The field is then beautiful.</p> + +<p>It looks as if it were covered with snow.</p> + +<p>Then comes the hard work of the picking.</p> + +<p>All hands upon the plantation must then work in the fields.</p> + +<p>The slaves of long ago were kept very busy during this season.</p> + +<p>The women and children worked.</p> + +<p>They have to be careful that the cotton is quite dry when picked.</p> + +<p>If it were damp the cotton would mould.</p> + +<p>This would spoil it for use.</p> + +<p>Can you imagine a snow-white field dotted with black people?</p> + +<p>Their bright eyes must have shone still more brightly there.</p> + +<p>The cotton does not all ripen at one time.</p> + +<p>But it must be gathered soon after the pods are burst.</p> + +<div class="img"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +<a href="images/imagep046.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep046.jpg" width="95%" alt="Cotton Pickers" /></a><br /> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span>This is because the sun injures the color of the cotton.</p> + +<p>Or the rain and dews injure it.</p> + +<p>Or the winds may blow it away.</p> + +<p>So the cotton pickers were kept busy from August until the frost +came.</p> + +<p>They went over the same fields many times.</p> + +<p>Then, after a busy day in the field, other work remained to be done.</p> + +<p>The cotton pickers sat upon the ground in a circle.</p> + +<p>From the midst of the cotton they took the black seeds.</p> + +<p>These seeds were very troublesome.</p> + +<p>They are covered with hairs.</p> + +<p>They cling fast to the cotton.</p> + +<p>These naughty children of the plant love their mother.</p> + +<p>So fast do they cling to her, that a person <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>could clean but one +pound of cotton in a whole day.</p> + +<p>So you may understand why so little was raised.</p> + +<p>In 1784, eight bags of cotton were taken from the United States to +England.</p> + +<p>These were seized by the custom officers.</p> + +<p>These officers are those who look after goods sent in or out of a +country.</p> + +<p>If money is to be paid upon the goods, it is called a duty.</p> + +<p>The custom officers must see that the duty is paid.</p> + +<p>These men said that this cotton could not have come from America.</p> + +<p>During the next two years less than one hundred-twenty bags were +sent there from our country.</p> + +<p>The treaty of peace with England was made in 1794.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span>None of the treaty-makers then knew that any cotton was raised in +America.</p> + +<p>Would you like to know why, fifty years later, a million bales were +sent from America?</p> + +<p>This is the story:</p> + +<p>In the war with England, America had some brave generals.</p> + +<p>One of these was General Nathaniel Greene.</p> + +<p>He had helped to win victories in the South.</p> + +<p>The State of Georgia gave him a tract of land.</p> + +<p>General Greene lived with his family upon this land.</p> + +<p>He at last died there.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Greene was very lonely.</p> + +<p>She went to the North to visit her friends.</p> + +<p>On her voyage home she met a pleasant gentleman.</p> + +<p>He was a young man, only twenty-seven years of age.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span>He, too, was going to Georgia.</p> + +<p>His name was Eli Whitney.</p> + +<p>And now you must know something of his story.</p> + +<p>Eli Whitney was born in Massachusetts in 1765.</p> + +<p>His people were farmers.</p> + +<p>They were not rich people.</p> + +<p>Eli's father had a workshop.</p> + +<p>In this shop he worked upon rainy days.</p> + +<p>He made wheels and chairs.</p> + +<p>Eli grew up like other farm boys.</p> + +<p>He helped on the farm.</p> + +<p>He attended the district school.</p> + +<p>He took care of the cattle and horses.</p> + +<p>But very early in his life he became fond of tools.</p> + +<p>He used to creep into his father's shop.</p> + +<p>He could scarcely wait to be old enough to use the tools there.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>One of the interesting tools was a lathe for turning chair posts.</p> + +<p>His father allowed him the use of all these as soon as he was large +enough to take care of them.</p> + +<p>After that, he was always at work at something.</p> + +<p>He liked work in the shop much more than work upon the farm.</p> + +<p>Eli's mother died when he was a little boy.</p> + +<p>This is a sad event in any boy's life.</p> + +<p>When Eli was about twelve years old, his father took a journey from +home.</p> + +<p>He was gone two or three days.</p> + +<p>When he returned, he called the housekeeper.</p> + +<p>He asked her what the boys had been doing.</p> + +<p>She told him what the elder boys had done.</p> + +<p>"But what has Eli been doing?" said he.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span>"He has been making a fiddle," was the answer.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said the father, "I fear Eli will take his portion in +fiddles."</p> + +<p>The fiddle was finished like a common violin.</p> + +<p>It made pretty good music.</p> + +<p>Many people came to see it.</p> + +<p>They said it was a fine piece of work for a boy.</p> + +<p>Afterwards people brought him their violins to mend.</p> + +<p>He did the mending nicely.</p> + +<p>Every one was surprised.</p> + +<p>They brought him other work to do.</p> + +<p>Eli's father had a nice watch.</p> + +<p>Eli loved to look at it.</p> + +<p>It was a great wonder to him.</p> + +<p>He wished to see the inside of it.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span>His father would not allow this.</p> + +<p>One Sunday the family were getting ready for church.</p> + +<p>Eli noticed that his father intended leaving his watch at home.</p> + +<p>He could not lose such a good chance.</p> + +<p>So he pretended to be quite sick.</p> + +<p>His father allowed him to stay at home.</p> + +<p>Soon he was alone with the wonderful little watch.</p> + +<p>He hurried to the room where it hung.</p> + +<p>He took it down carefully.</p> + +<p>His hands shook, but he managed to open it.</p> + +<p>How delightful was the motion of those wheels!</p> + +<p>It seemed a living thing.</p> + +<p>Eli forgot his father.</p> + +<p>He thought only of the wonderful machinery.</p> + +<p>He must know just how it went.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span>He took the watch all to pieces before he remembered how wrong it +was to do so.</p> + +<p>Then he began to be frightened.</p> + +<p>What if he couldn't put it together!</p> + +<p>He knew his father was a very stern man.</p> + +<p>Slowly and carefully the boy went to work.</p> + +<p>And so bright was he that he succeeded in getting it together all +right.</p> + +<p>His father did not find out the mischief.</p> + +<p>Several years afterward Eli told him about it.</p> + +<p>When Eli was thirteen years old his father married a second time.</p> + +<p>Eli's stepmother had a handsome set of table knives.</p> + +<p>She valued them highly.</p> + +<p>One day Eli said, "I could make as good knives as those if I had +tools.</p> + +<p>"And I could make the tools if I had common tools to begin with."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span>His mother laughed at him.</p> + +<p>But soon after one of the knives was broken.</p> + +<p>Eli made a blade exactly like the broken one, except its stamp.</p> + +<p>Soon Eli was fifteen years of age.</p> + +<p>He wished to go into the nail-making business.</p> + +<p>It was during the Revolution.</p> + +<p>Nails were made almost entirely by hand.</p> + +<p>They were in great demand.</p> + +<p>They brought good prices.</p> + +<p>Eli asked his father to bring him a few tools.</p> + +<p>His father consented.</p> + +<p>The work was begun.</p> + +<p>Eli was very industrious.</p> + +<p>He made good nails.</p> + +<p>He also found time to make more tools for his own use.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>He put in knife blades.</p> + +<p>He repaired broken machinery.</p> + +<p>He did many other things beyond the skill of country workmen.</p> + +<p>Eli worked in this way two winters.</p> + +<p>He made money.</p> + +<p>He worked on the farm in the summer.</p> + +<p>At one time Eli took a journey of forty miles.</p> + +<p>He visited every workshop on the way.</p> + +<p>These visits taught him much.</p> + +<p>He found a man who could go back with him and help him in his +business.</p> + +<p>At the close of the war it did not pay to go on with the +nail-making.</p> + +<p>The ladies began a new fashion about that time.</p> + +<p>This was the use of long pins for fastening on their bonnets.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span>He made very nearly all the pins used.</p> + +<p>Eli made these pins with great skill.</p> + +<p>This work was done in the time spared from his farm work.</p> + +<p>He also made excellent walking canes.</p> + +<p>During all these years Eli's schooling had been received at +different times at the district school.</p> + +<p>He was very fond of arithmetic.</p> + +<p>During his nineteenth year he made up his mind to have a college +education.</p> + +<p>His step-mother did not wish him to do this.</p> + +<p>But he worked hard and saved his money.</p> + +<p>A part of the time he taught school.</p> + +<p>He was twenty-three when he entered Yale College.</p> + +<p>He borrowed some money, for which he gave his note.</p> + +<p>At one time one of the college teachers <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span>wished to show his pupils +some experiments. But some of the things to be used were broken.</p> + +<p>Eli offered to mend them.</p> + +<p>This he did, and succeeded in surprising every one.</p> + +<p>A carpenter lived near his boarding place.</p> + +<p>Eli asked for the loan of some of his tools.</p> + +<p>The careful carpenter did not wish to lend them.</p> + +<p>He at last gave his consent in this way:—</p> + +<p>The gentleman with whom Mr. Whitney boarded must promise to pay all +the damages.</p> + +<p>But he soon saw how skilful Mr. Whitney was.</p> + +<p>He was surprised and said:</p> + +<p>"There was one good mechanic spoiled when you went to college."</p> + +<p>Mr. Whitney graduated in 1792.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>He was engaged by a gentleman in Georgia to teach his children.</p> + +<p>It was on this journey to his new work that he met Mrs. Greene.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Greene liked Mr. Whitney very much.</p> + +<p>When they reached Savannah, she invited him to her home.</p> + +<p>At this time he had a great disappointment.</p> + +<p>The gentleman who had hired him to come to Georgia coolly told him +his services were not wanted.</p> + +<p>He had no friends.</p> + +<p>He was out of money.</p> + +<p>But Mrs. Greene became his good friend.</p> + +<p>He went to live at her house.</p> + +<p>Here he began the study of law.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Greene was one day doing some embroidery.</p> + +<p>She broke the frame upon which she was working.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span>She did not know how to finish the work without it.</p> + +<p>Mr. Whitney looked at it carefully.</p> + +<p>Then he made her a new frame.</p> + +<p>It was even better than the other one had been.</p> + +<p>Of course Mrs. Greene was much pleased.</p> + +<p>Mr. Whitney also made fine toys for the children.</p> + +<p>Soon after this, a party of gentlemen visited at Mrs. Greene's home.</p> + +<p>They were nearly all men who had been officers during the war.</p> + +<p>Mr. Greene had been their general.</p> + +<p>They began talking of the South.</p> + +<p>They wished something might be done to improve that part of the +country.</p> + +<p>They wished it might be made a better place in which to live.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>They spoke of the fine spinning machines that were coming into use +in England.</p> + +<p>Much land in the South could be used for cotton.</p> + +<p>This could be sent to England for manufacture.</p> + +<p>The South could become a rich country in this way.</p> + +<p>But there was one great difficulty.</p> + +<p>It cost so much to clean the cotton.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Greene said, "I know who can help you.</p> + +<p>"Apply to my young friend, Mr. Whitney. He can make anything."</p> + +<p>She then showed the gentlemen her frame and other things which Mr. +Whitney had made.</p> + +<p>Mr. Whitney said he had never seen cotton or its seed.</p> + +<p>None was raised near the home of the Greene's.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span>Mr. Whitney did not make any promises.</p> + +<p>But the next day he went to work.</p> + +<p>He went first to the city of Savannah.</p> + +<p>There he searched among the warehouses and boats.</p> + +<p>At last he found a small parcel of cotton.</p> + +<p>This he carried home.</p> + +<p>He shut himself up in a small basement room.</p> + +<p>His tools were poor.</p> + +<p>He made better ones.</p> + +<p>No wire could be bought in Savannah.</p> + +<p>So he made his own wire.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Greene and a Mr. Miller were the only persons allowed to come +into his work-shop.</p> + +<p>Day after day the children wondered to hear the queer clinking and +hammering.</p> + +<p>They laughed at Mr. Whitney.</p> + +<p>But that did not trouble him.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span>Before the end of the winter the machine was nearly perfect.</p> + +<p>Its success seemed certain.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Greene was very happy over the work.</p> + +<p>She was eager that people should know about this wonderful +invention.</p> + +<p>She could not wait until a patent was secured.</p> + +<p>A patent is given by the government.</p> + +<p>It is given to prevent others from claiming an invention.</p> + +<p>Often it keeps people from manufacturing the article without the +permission of the owner.</p> + +<p>So Mrs. Green invited a party of gentlemen from all parts of the +state to visit her.</p> + +<p>These gentlemen were taken to see the machine do its work.</p> + +<p>They were greatly astonished.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span>For what did they see?</p> + +<p>This curious little machine cleaned the cotton of its seed.</p> + +<p>And it would clean in a day more than a man could do in months.</p> + +<p>They went to their homes.</p> + +<p>They told everybody about it.</p> + +<p>Great crowds began coming to see it.</p> + +<p>But they were refused permission to do so.</p> + +<p>This was because it had not yet been patented.</p> + +<p>So one night some wicked men broke into the building.</p> + +<p>They stole the cotton-gin.</p> + +<p>You can well imagine how dreadful this was.</p> + +<p>Mr. Whitney had no money.</p> + +<p>So Mr. Miller agreed to be his partner.</p> + +<p>Mr. Miller had come to Georgia from the North.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span>He, too, was a graduate of Yale College.</p> + +<p>He afterward married Mrs. Greene.</p> + +<p>He became Mr. Whitney's partner in May, 1773.</p> + +<p>Perhaps you wonder why the machine was called a gin. It was a short +way of saying engine.</p> + +<p>A gin is a machine that aids the work of a person.</p> + +<p>The cotton-gin was made to work much the same as the hand of a +person.</p> + +<p>It dragged the cotton away from the seed.</p> + +<p>And now begins the sorrowful part of the story.</p> + +<p>Before Mr. Whitney could get his patent, several other gins had been +made.</p> + +<p>Each claimed to be the best.</p> + +<p>The plans were all stolen from Mr. Whitney's.</p> + +<div class="img"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +<a href="images/imagep066.png"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep066.png" width="75%" alt="ROLLER-GIN." /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em; font-size: 80%;">ROLLER-GIN.</p> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span>One was the roller-gin.</p> + +<p>This crushed the seed in the cotton.</p> + +<p>Of course this injured the cotton.</p> + +<p>Another was the saw-gin.</p> + +<p>This was exactly like Mr. Whitney's, except that the saws were set +differently.</p> + +<p>Many lawsuits were begun.</p> + +<p>Mr. Whitney went to Connecticut.</p> + +<p>There he had a shop for making the gins.</p> + +<p>When the suits began he had to return to Georgia.</p> + +<p>In this way two years went by.</p> + +<p>By this time everyone knew the value of the gin.</p> + +<p>Mr. Whitney went to New York.</p> + +<p>There he became ill.</p> + +<p>His illness lasted three weeks.</p> + +<p>Then he was able to go on to New Haven.</p> + +<div class="img"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +<a href="images/imagep068.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep068.jpg" width="95%" alt="SAW-GIN, 1794." /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em; font-size: 80%;">SAW-GIN, 1794.</p> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span>There he found that his shop had been destroyed by fire.</p> + +<p>All his machines and papers were burned.</p> + +<p>He was four thousand dollars in debt.</p> + +<p>But neither Mr. Miller nor Mr. Whitney were the kind of men who give +up easily.</p> + +<p>Mr. Miller wrote that he would give all his time, thought, labor, +and all the money he could borrow to help.</p> + +<p>"It shall never be said that we gave up when a little perseverance +would have carried us through," he said.</p> + +<p>About this time bad news came from England.</p> + +<p>The cotton, you remember, was then all sent there for manufacture.</p> + +<p>English manufacturers now claimed that the cotton was injured by the +gin.</p> + +<p>This was in 1796.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span>Miller and Whitney had thirty gins working in different places in +Georgia.</p> + +<p>Some were worked by cattle and horses.</p> + +<p>Others were run by water.</p> + +<p>Soon, however, the manufacturers found that the Whitney cotton gin +did not injure the cotton.</p> + +<p>The first lawsuit was decided against Miller and Whitney.</p> + +<p>They asked for another trial.</p> + +<p>But this was refused them.</p> + +<p>Everywhere through the South they were cheated and robbed.</p> + +<p>Yet all the time the South was growing richer because of the cotton +gin.</p> + +<p>Slaves grew more and more valuable.</p> + +<p>For negroes can endure the heat of the cotton fields.</p> + +<p>But white men can not.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span>The planters of the South bought more and more slaves.</p> + +<p>So slavery grew stronger because of the cotton gin.</p> + +<p>Several states made contracts with Mr. Whitney.</p> + +<p>They agreed to pay him certain sums of money.</p> + +<p>But South Carolina broke her contract.</p> + +<p>All these things made Mr. Whitney sick at heart.</p> + +<p>He said that he had tried hard to do right by every one.</p> + +<p>And it stung him to the very soul to be treated like a swindler or a +villain.</p> + +<p>The people of Georgia tried to prove that somebody in Switzerland +had invented the cotton gin.</p> + +<p>Tennessee broke its contract.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span>There were high-minded men who tried to help Mr. Whitney.</p> + +<p>They were able to do only a little for him.</p> + +<p>In 1803, Mr. Miller died.</p> + +<p>Mr. Whitney was then left to fight his battles alone.</p> + +<p>Things grew a little brighter as time went on.</p> + +<p>Mr. Whitney received some money on his invention.</p> + +<p>But the greater part of it had to be spent in lawsuits.</p> + +<p>A suit was begun in the United States Court.</p> + +<p>But the time of his patent was almost out.</p> + +<p>He had made six journeys to Georgia.</p> + +<p>One gentleman said that he never knew another man so persevering.</p> + +<p>In 1798, Mr. Whitney made a contract with the government of the +United States.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span>By this contract he was to manufacture fire-arms.</p> + +<p>He established his factory near New Haven.</p> + +<p>The place is now called Whitneyville.</p> + +<p>It is a beautiful place.</p> + +<p>A waterfall furnished the power to run his machinery.</p> + +<p>Here Mr. Whitney worked hard.</p> + +<p>He had machinery to make.</p> + +<p>He had to teach his own workmen.</p> + +<p>For eight years he worked to fill this contract.</p> + +<p>He arose as soon as day appeared.</p> + +<p>Look in any part of the factory you might, you would see something +which he, himself had done.</p> + +<p>He improved many tools.</p> + +<p>He made better guns than had ever been made.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>So that for these things, too, our country is indebted to Mr. +Whitney.</p> + +<p>In 1812, he made new contracts.</p> + +<p>Another war with England began in that year.</p> + +<p>Mr. Whitney's guns never failed to be all right.</p> + +<p>Other men took contracts of the same kind.</p> + +<p>But their guns were failures.</p> + +<p>Mr. Calhoun, the Secretary of War, said to Mr. Whitney, "You are +saving your country seventy-five thousand dollars a year."</p> + +<p>This was by his improvements in fire-arms.</p> + +<p>Mr. Whitney tried to get the government to extend the time of the +patent upon the cotton-gin.</p> + +<p>But this was refused.</p> + +<p>That did not seem very grateful, did it?</p> + +<p>Robert Fulton, the inventor of the first steamboat, was his friend.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span>They had many troubles in common.</p> + +<p>Mr. Whitney's last days were his happiest days.</p> + +<p>Such patience, perseverance, and skill must count in the long run.</p> + +<p>His factory made him quite a rich man.</p> + +<p>Some of the southern states showed their gratitude.</p> + +<p>In 1817, Mr. Whitney married Miss Edwards of Connecticut.</p> + +<p>He had a son and three daughters.</p> + +<p>The people of New Haven respected him.</p> + +<p>They gave him great honor.</p> + +<p>He died on January 8, 1825.</p> + +<p>The little cotton-gin had done a great work.</p> + +<p>The sunny South was covered with beautiful plantations.</p> + +<p>The cotton fields shone in the sunlight.</p> + +<div class="img"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +<a href="images/imagep076.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep076.jpg" width="95%" alt="Steamboat" /></a><br /> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span>Riches were beginning to fill the pockets of the planters.</p> + +<p>Only one blight remained upon the land.</p> + +<p>This was the dreadful system of slavery.</p> + +<p>And that, too, has been destroyed.</p> + +<p>We wish that Mr. Whitney might see the South of to-day.</p> + +<p>He did not live to know how great a curse slavery might be.</p> + +<p>He did not foresee that his cotton-gin might help to cause a great +war.</p> + +<p>Yet the blue and the gray fought and died.</p> + +<p>The blood of many a hero stained a southern field.</p> + +<p>All this that the cotton-pickers might be free!</p> + +<p>All this that our country might be truly "the land of the free and +the home of the brave!"</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> + +<div class="img"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +<a href="images/imagep078.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep078.jpg" width="70%" alt="S.F.B. MORSE." /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em; font-size: 80%;">S.F.B. MORSE.</p> +</div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a name="Samuel_Finley_Breese_Morse" id="Samuel_Finley_Breese_Morse"></a><hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span><br /> + +<h2 class="sc">Samuel Finley Breese Morse.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h2> +<br /> + +<p>If everything were now as it was in 1791, what a queer place this +world of ours would be to us!</p> + +<p>A hundred years ago!</p> + +<p>Suppose we imagine ourselves living in the year 1800.</p> + +<p>The railroads then were very few and poor.</p> + +<p>"Fulton's Folly," the first steamboat, had not yet frightened the +sailors in New York Harbor, with its long line of black smoke.</p> + +<p>Lighting by means of gas was yet unknown.</p> + +<p>Electric lights were not even dreamed of.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>Even kerosene, which we think makes so poor a light, was then +unused.</p> + +<p>So there are many, many things, common and useful to us now, which +were unknown to the world in 1800.</p> + +<p>You have heard of the giant, Steam.</p> + +<p>There is yet another giant which God has placed in the world for +man's use.</p> + +<p>This is Electricity.</p> + +<p>Is it not strange that this great power should have been so long +unused in the world?</p> + +<p>Boys and girls can understand how useful this power now is.</p> + +<p>So you will be interested in knowing something of the man who helped +to introduce to the world this great giant, electricity.</p> + +<p>The baby who was given this long name, Samuel Finley Breese Morse, +was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span>The date of his birth was April 27, 1791.</p> + +<p>He was called Samuel Finley for his great-grandfather.</p> + +<p>His mother's name, as a girl, was Elizabeth Breese.</p> + +<p>You will see that he won fame enough to cover each and every one of +these names.</p> + +<p>Finley Morse had, as he grew older, two brothers younger than +himself.</p> + +<p>Their names were Sidney E. Morse, and Richard Cary Morse.</p> + +<p>Finley was sent first to an old lady's school.</p> + +<p>He was but four years old when he started.</p> + +<p>The school was very near his home.</p> + +<p>The school mistress was known as, "Old Ma'am Rand."</p> + +<p>She was an invalid and unable to leave her chair.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span>So she had a long rattan.</p> + +<p>When the children did not mind, she could, with her long rattan, +reach them at the further side of the room.</p> + +<p>One punishment of Mrs. Rand's was to pin a naughty child to her +dress.</p> + +<p>As early as this part of his life, Finley Morse tried his hand at +drawing.</p> + +<p>He drew Mrs. Rand's picture upon a chest of drawers.</p> + +<p>Instead of a pencil he used a pin.</p> + +<p>So Mrs. Rand pinned him to her dress.</p> + +<p>Of course he did not like that.</p> + +<p>He tried to get away.</p> + +<p>This tore the dress.</p> + +<p>Then Mrs. Rand had to use her rattan.</p> + +<p>When seven years of age Finley was sent to school at Andover.</p> + +<p>He went to Phillip's Academy.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span>While there the father wrote letters to his boy.</p> + +<p>He gave his boy good advice.</p> + +<p>He told him about George Washington.</p> + +<p>He also told him about another great man.</p> + +<p>This man was a statesman of Holland.</p> + +<p>He did all the business for that republic.</p> + +<p>Yet he had time to go to evening amusements.</p> + +<p>Some one asked this statesman how he did this.</p> + +<p>He said there was nothing so easy, for that it was only doing one +thing at a time, and never putting off anything until to-morrow that +could be done to-day.</p> + +<p>Finley's parents were always kind to him.</p> + +<p>He soon became a manly boy.</p> + +<p>He was the kind of boy who seemed to know that he must one day be a +man.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span>So he worked hard at school.</p> + +<p>He began early to think and act for himself.</p> + +<p>When he was but thirteen he wrote a sketch of the "Life of +Demosthenes."</p> + +<p>He sent it to his father.</p> + +<p>This his father kept carefully.</p> + +<p>It showed the genius, learning and taste of his boy.</p> + +<p>This bright boy was ready for college at the age of fourteen.</p> + +<p>But his father thought it best to keep him at home for a year.</p> + +<p>Finley, when a boy, was always fond of drawing.</p> + +<p>When but fifteen, he painted a fairly good picture in water colors.</p> + +<p>This represented a room in his father's house.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span>His father, his two brothers and himself stood by a table.</p> + +<p>His mother sat in a chair.</p> + +<p>On the table was a globe, at which they were all looking.</p> + +<p>His room at college was covered with pictures of his own making.</p> + +<p>One of these was called, "Freshmen Climbing the Hill of Science."</p> + +<p>The poor fellows were scrambling to the top of a hill on their hands +and knees.</p> + +<p>Finley had taken no lessons in art, yet he drew many portraits.</p> + +<p>The other boys were all delighted to have their pictures drawn by +him.</p> + +<p>They paid him a dollar apiece.</p> + +<p>This kept him in spending money.</p> + +<p>He also painted upon ivory.</p> + +<p>For these he had five dollars each.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span>So, when Finley Morse graduated from Yale college, he was more fond +of drawing and painting than of anything else.</p> + +<p>Finley at this time was a fine looking boy.</p> + +<p>He had a pleasant smile.</p> + +<p>He was always courteous.</p> + +<p>Every one liked him.</p> + +<p>He was as fond of a frolic as any one.</p> + +<p>At one time the college cooks did not do their work to suit the +boys.</p> + +<p>So the boys gave them a mock trial.</p> + +<p>They sent a report of the trial to the college president.</p> + +<p>The bad cooks were dismissed.</p> + +<p>Afterwards the boys had better things to eat.</p> + +<p>At another time the boys went to a paper mill near by.</p> + +<p>They bought a great quantity of paper.</p> + +<p>This they made into a baloon.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span>It was eighteen feet in length.</p> + +<p>They filled it with air, and sent it on its journey.</p> + +<p>It sailed finely, and soon was out of sight.</p> + +<p>They tried it again.</p> + +<p>The second time it took fire and was soon nothing but ashes.</p> + +<p>About this time Finley heard his first lecture upon electricity.</p> + +<p>After graduating, he returned to his father's house in Charlestown.</p> + +<p>There he wrote a letter to his brothers with a queer kind of ink.</p> + +<p>The writing did not show at all until heated by fire.</p> + +<p>His brothers had to write to him to find out how to read it.</p> + +<p>About this time Finley made a new friend.</p> + +<p>This friend was Washington Allston.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>Mr. Allston was a great painter.</p> + +<p>He learned to love Finley Morse.</p> + +<p>Mr. Allston spent most of his time in London.</p> + +<p>Finley begged his people to allow him to go to London with Mr. +Allston.</p> + +<p>They finally gave their consent.</p> + +<p>So Mr. Morse made his first voyage across the Atlantic.</p> + +<p>They landed at Liverpool.</p> + +<p>They had to go from there to London in a stage coach.</p> + +<p>As soon as he arrived he wrote to his parents.</p> + +<p>In his letter he said that he wished they could hear from each other +in an instant.</p> + +<p>"But three thousand miles are not passed over in an instant.</p> + +<p>So we must wait four long weeks before we can hear from each other +again."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span>Even then he longed for a telegraph.</p> + +<p>In London he had the help of another great artist.</p> + +<p>This was Benjamin West.</p> + +<p>He, too, was an American.</p> + +<p>Mr. Morse wished to become a student in the Royal Academy.</p> + +<p>He had to make a drawing of Hercules.</p> + +<p>Hercules, you know, was one of the heroes of early Greece.</p> + +<p>The story is that he did very many brave deeds.</p> + +<p>Finley's drawing was to be taken to Mr. West.</p> + +<p>He worked very hard upon it for two weeks.</p> + +<p>Then he went to Mr. West with it.</p> + +<p>Mr. West said, "Very well, sir, very well; go on and finish it."</p> + +<p>"It is finished," replied Finley.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>"Oh, no," said Mr. West. "Look here, and here, and here."</p> + +<p>So, when the mistakes were pointed out, Finley saw them.</p> + +<p>He took the drawing home and worked patiently for another week.</p> + +<p>Then he brought it to Mr. West again.</p> + +<p>Mr. West handed it back to Mr. Morse, saying:</p> + +<p>"Very well indeed, sir. Go on and finish it."</p> + +<p>"Is it not finished?" said Mr. Morse, for he was almost discouraged.</p> + +<p>"See," said Mr. West, "you have not marked this muscle nor that +finger joint."</p> + +<p>So another three days were spent on the drawing.</p> + +<p>Again it was taken back.</p> + +<p>"Very clever indeed," said Mr. West, "very clever. Now go on and +finish it."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span>"I cannot finish it," replied Mr. Morse.</p> + +<p>Then the old man patted him on the shoulder and said:</p> + +<p>"Well, I have tried you long enough.</p> + +<p>"Now, sir, you have learned more by this drawing than you would have +learned in double the time by a dozen half finished drawings.</p> + +<p>"Finish one picture, sir, and you are a painter."</p> + +<p>Mr. Morse took this good advice.</p> + +<p>He went to work upon a large picture.</p> + +<p>It was a picture of the "Dying Hercules."</p> + +<p>He first modeled his picture in clay.</p> + +<p>This he did so well that he received a gold medal for it. This was +on May 13, 1813.</p> + +<p>His picture, too, was given great praise.</p> + +<p>It was counted as one of the twelve best among the two thousand +pictures.</p> + +<p>So Mr. Morse went on patiently and carefully in this work.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span>He made many good friends in London.</p> + +<p>One of these friends was the poet, Coleridge.</p> + +<p>Mr. Morse was a great comfort to his parents.</p> + +<p>He was careful with his money.</p> + +<p>He and a young Mr. Leslie, lived and painted together.</p> + +<p>He spent all his money to get helps in his work.</p> + +<p>He visited all the picture galleries, and spent days in the study of +pictures.</p> + +<p>At this time England and America were at war.</p> + +<p>Americans were sometimes made prisoners and kept in the prisons of +England.</p> + +<p>Mr. Morse tried to help some of them.</p> + +<p>You have heard of the great French general, Napoleon.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span>You know of the many wars he had.</p> + +<p>In 1815, Napoleon met his enemies, the English and Prussians.</p> + +<p>They had a battle at Waterloo.</p> + +<p>Napoleon was defeated.</p> + +<p>The people of England were anxious for news.</p> + +<p>But how slowly news came in those days!</p> + +<p>It took many days to carry the good tidings.</p> + +<p>The battle was fought on the 18th day of June.</p> + +<p>It was not until July that the news came of the victory of the +English general.</p> + +<p>Mr. Morse wrote about it to his parents.</p> + +<p>He told how anxiously the people had waited.</p> + +<p>Finally the people heard the booming of cannon.</p> + +<p>The bells were rung.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span>People laughed and cried for joy.</p> + +<p>Would it not seem strange to us now to wait for our news so long?</p> + +<p>Yet the inventor of the telegraph had to wait often very long.</p> + +<p>But at last the time came for Mr. Morse to return to America.</p> + +<p>He sailed in August, 1815.</p> + +<p>He bore with him the good wishes of his many friends in London.</p> + +<p>He had a stormy voyage.</p> + +<p>A ship signaled his ship for help.</p> + +<p>The captain did not wish to send help.</p> + +<p>He said he had all he could do to attend to his own ship.</p> + +<p>Mr. Morse told him that, if he did not help them, he would publish +the facts when they reached America.</p> + +<p>So the captain thought better of it.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span>He helped to save the ship.</p> + +<p>When he landed on his return Mr. Morse found that the people of +America had heard of him.</p> + +<p>They knew of the fine pictures he had painted.</p> + +<p>He was now but twenty-four years of age.</p> + +<p>He set up a studio in Boston.</p> + +<p>But the people of America were not as interested in art then as now.</p> + +<p>He waited many months for something to do.</p> + +<p>But nobody came for a picture.</p> + +<p>He left Boston almost penniless.</p> + +<p>Then he began painting portraits in different places.</p> + +<p>He received fifteen dollars for each portrait.</p> + +<p>He went to Concord, New Hampshire.</p> + +<p>There he met a beautiful young lady.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>Her name was Lucretia P. Walker.</p> + +<p>She had a very sweet temper.</p> + +<p>She always used good sense.</p> + +<p>Mr. Morse became more and more successful with his portraits.</p> + +<p>He received more money for them.</p> + +<p>He went on a journey to the South.</p> + +<p>There he found much to do.</p> + +<p>He made three thousand dollars.</p> + +<p>Then he came back to Concord.</p> + +<p>There he married Miss Walker.</p> + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Morse lived for a few years in South Carolina.</p> + +<p>Then they came to New Haven, Connecticut.</p> + +<p>His father came to live with them there.</p> + +<p>Mr. Morse began to paint a great picture at Washington.</p> + +<p>It was called "The House of Representatives."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span>Washington is the capital city of the United States.</p> + +<p>The picture, when finished, was very beautiful.</p> + +<p>It was sold at last to an Englishman.</p> + +<p>About this time a great friend of America visited Washington.</p> + +<p>Have you heard of General La Fayette?</p> + +<p>You can read what great things he did for our country.</p> + +<p>Every American loved him then.</p> + +<p>Even the people who live now, love his memory.</p> + +<p>Mr. Morse was engaged to paint the portrait of General La Fayette.</p> + +<p>He began the picture.</p> + +<p>Before he had finished, he received dreadful news from home.</p> + +<p>His loved wife had died very suddenly.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span>He hastened home.</p> + +<p>It seemed too hard to bear.</p> + +<p>Not long afterwards he lost his father.</p> + +<p>He then went to live in New York.</p> + +<p>There he worked hard at his art.</p> + +<p>His artist friends made him president of their society.</p> + +<p>This was the National Academy.</p> + +<p>While in New York he heard some lectures about electricity.</p> + +<p>He thought about it and talked much with his friends.</p> + +<p>He wished to visit beautiful Italy.</p> + +<p>So, in 1829, he sailed for Europe.</p> + +<p>His friends there gave him a hearty welcome.</p> + +<p>He visited many cities.</p> + +<p>He met General La Fayette again.</p> + +<p>He visited him in his home.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span>Mr. Morse had always been fond of inventions.</p> + +<p>He himself invented a pump at one time.</p> + +<p>At another, he tried his hand at making a machine for cutting +marble.</p> + +<p>He was always experimenting with colors, and other things used by +artists.</p> + +<p>The year 1832 had arrived.</p> + +<p>You will see, by and by, that it is a good date to remember.</p> + +<p>People knew almost nothing about speed in traveling.</p> + +<p>In that year the longest railroad was in the southern part of the +United States.</p> + +<p>It was one hundred thirty-five miles long.</p> + +<p>The next longer was in England.</p> + +<p>It was thirty miles long.</p> + +<p>The next was in Massachusetts.</p> + +<p>It was ten miles long.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span>The mails were carried in coaches.</p> + +<p>On the first day of October, 1832, Mr. Morse sailed for America.</p> + +<p>The name of this ship was the "Sully."</p> + +<p>The passengers were much interested in some things which had lately +been found out about electricity.</p> + +<p>People had long known that lightning and electricity were the same.</p> + +<p>Signals had been made with electricity.</p> + +<p>But the thought which came to Mr. Morse had never entered the mind +of man before.</p> + +<p>He could think of nothing but a telegraph.</p> + +<p>He thought night and day.</p> + +<p>He seemed to see the end from the beginning.</p> + +<p>As he sat upon the deck of the ship after dinner, he drew out a +little note book.</p> + +<p>He began his plan in this little book.</p> + +<p>From the beginning he said, "If a message <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>will go ten miles without +dropping, I can make it go around the globe."</p> + +<p>And he said this again and again during the years that came after.</p> + +<p>Sleep forsook him.</p> + +<p>But one morning at the breakfast table he announced his plan.</p> + +<p>He showed it to the passengers.</p> + +<p>And five years after, when the model was built, it was found to be +like the one shown that morning on board the ship "Sully."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"The steed called Lightning (say the Fates)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Was tamed in the United States;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Twas Franklin's hand that caught the horse,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Twas harnessed by Professor Morse."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Upon landing in America a long struggle began.</p> + +<p>For twelve long years, Mr. Morse worked to get people to notice his +invention.</p> + +<div class="img"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +<a href="images/imagep102.png"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep102.png" width="70%" alt="DIAGRAM SHOWING THE MORSE ALPHABET AND ARRANGEMENT OF THE TELEGRAPH LINE." /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em; font-size: 80%;">DIAGRAM SHOWING THE MORSE ALPHABET AND ARRANGEMENT OF THE TELEGRAPH LINE.</p> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span>It would take much money to construct a real telegraph.</p> + +<p>But money Mr. Morse did not have.</p> + +<p>He had three motherless children to provide for.</p> + +<p>He lived in a room in a fifth story of a building belonging to his +brothers.</p> + +<p>This room was his study, studio, bed chamber, parlor, kitchen, +drawing room and work shop.</p> + +<p>On one side of the room was his cot bed.</p> + +<p>On the other were his tools.</p> + +<p>He brought his simple food to his room at night.</p> + +<p>This he did, that no one might see how little he had to eat.</p> + +<p>He often gave lessons in painting.</p> + +<p>One pupil did not pay promptly.</p> + +<p>Mr. Morse asked to be paid.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span>The pupil gave him ten dollars, asking if he would accept it.</p> + +<p>He said it would keep him from starving.</p> + +<p>He had had nothing to eat for twenty-four hours.</p> + +<p>The government, at this time, was giving some work to American +artists.</p> + +<p>Mr. Morse knew he deserved to have a picture to paint.</p> + +<p>But, through a mistake, he was not given one.</p> + +<p>He felt much hurt by this.</p> + +<p>But perhaps he would not have pushed his telegraph through, if he +had been given plenty of painting to do.</p> + +<p>As it was, Morse, the painter, became Morse, the inventor.</p> + +<p>It was not until 1837 that Mr. Morse had his wonderful invention +ready to exhibit.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span>During that year many people saw it.</p> + +<p>Many thought it a silly toy.</p> + +<p>Few dreamed of its importance.</p> + +<p>Mr. Alfred Vail, whose father and brother had large brass and iron +works, was one of those who believed in it.</p> + +<p>Mr. Vail decided to assist Mr. Morse.</p> + +<p>He was young and liked machinery.</p> + +<p>Long after, Mr. Morse said that much of the success of the telegraph +was due to Mr. Vail.</p> + +<p>In 1838, Mr. Morse asked Congress to give him aid.</p> + +<p>He wished to build a telegraph between Baltimore and Washington.</p> + +<p>The President and others saw the telegraph exhibited.</p> + +<p>A gentleman, named Mr. F.O.J. Smith, helped Mr. Morse with money.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span>But many Congressmen laughed at the idea.</p> + +<p>Do you not think they felt ashamed when they found how great a thing +they had been laughing at?</p> + +<p>While waiting for Congress to decide, Mr. Morse went to Europe +again.</p> + +<p>He tried to get a patent in London, but it was refused him.</p> + +<p>The French people gave him a paper which didn't mean much.</p> + +<p>He met some great men, however, who did all they could for him.</p> + +<p>Did you ever see a daguerreotype?</p> + +<p>It is an old fashioned portrait.</p> + +<p>Perhaps you can find some at home.</p> + +<p>Mr. Morse met in Paris the man who first took these pictures.</p> + +<p>His name was Mr. Daguerre.</p> + +<p>You see how the pictures were named.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span>He was exhibiting his pictures at this time.</p> + +<p>So the two greatest things in Paris in those days were the +electro-magnetic telegraph and daguerreotypes.</p> + +<p>Mr. Daguerre and Mr. Morse became fast friends.</p> + +<p>Mr. Daguerre taught Mr. Morse how to take daguerreotypes.</p> + +<p>When Mr. Morse returned to America, he took some portraits of this +kind.</p> + +<p>He also taught others how to do so.</p> + +<p>Having returned to America, he found plenty to do.</p> + +<p>He wished to try the telegraph under water.</p> + +<p>He arranged about two miles of wire.</p> + +<p>He put it into New York Harbor.</p> + +<p>A row boat was used in placing it.</p> + +<p>It was a beautiful moonlight night.</p> + +<p>People walking along the shore might well <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span>wonder what kind of fish +were to be caught with such a long line.</p> + +<p>At day break Professor Morse was ready for his experiment.</p> + +<p>Two or three characters were sent on the line.</p> + +<p>Then no more could be sent.</p> + +<p>Some sailors, in pulling up their anchor, had caught the wire.</p> + +<p>They pulled in about two hundred feet.</p> + +<p>Then they cut the wire.</p> + +<p>So ended the first cable.</p> + +<p>The Vails had been good friends to Mr. Morse.</p> + +<p>But they became afraid to spend any more money.</p> + +<p>Then, indeed, Mr. Morse was in despair.</p> + +<p>A bill had been brought before Congress, asking for thirty thousand +dollars.</p> + +<p>This was to build the trial telegraph line.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span>Oh, how anxiously Mr. Morse waited!</p> + +<p>Delay after delay came.</p> + +<p>Many Congressmen in their speeches, made all manner of fun of the +bill.</p> + +<p>Twilight came upon the evening of March 3rd, 1842.</p> + +<p>It was the last day of the session of Congress.</p> + +<p>There were still one hundred and nineteen bills to dispose of.</p> + +<p>It seemed impossible that the telegraph bill could be reached.</p> + +<p>Mr. Morse had patiently waited all day.</p> + +<p>At last he gave up all hope.</p> + +<p>He left the building and went to his hotel.</p> + +<p>He planned to leave for New York on an early train.</p> + +<p>As he came down to breakfast next morning, a young lady met him.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span>"I have come to congratulate you," she exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Upon what?" inquired the professor.</p> + +<p>"Upon the passage of your bill," she replied.</p> + +<p>"Impossible! Its fate was sealed last evening.</p> + +<p>You must be mistaken."</p> + +<p>"Not at all," said the young lady; "father sent me to tell you that +your bill was passed. It was passed just five minutes before the +close of the session."</p> + +<p>Mr. Morse was almost overcome with the news.</p> + +<p>He promised the young lady that she should send the first message +over the new line.</p> + +<p>Mr. Morse received a sad message in the midst of his joy.</p> + +<p>This was the news of the death of his dearest friend, Mr. Allston.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span>He hastened to the home of his friend in Cambridge.</p> + +<p>The brush with which Mr. Allston had been painting was still moist.</p> + +<p>Mr. Morse begged this as a memorial of his friend.</p> + +<p>He afterwards gave it to the National Academy.</p> + +<p>Now that the bill was passed, how hard he and his friend worked to +build the line!</p> + +<p>They tried putting the wires underground.</p> + +<p>But this proved very expensive.</p> + +<p>Then they tried the poles as we have them now.</p> + +<p>This succeeded nicely.</p> + +<p>1844 was the year for the appointing of a new President.</p> + +<p>The Whig party were to hold their convention at Baltimore, in May.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span>The managers of the telegraph worked hard to get the line done +before the meeting.</p> + +<p>And, although the line was not finished, signals were arranged by +which the message could be given.</p> + +<p>At last the day came.</p> + +<p>Henry Clay was nominated for President.</p> + +<p>The news was sent by the wires to Washington.</p> + +<p>Passengers arrived from Baltimore an hour later.</p> + +<p>They were astonished to find the news already known.</p> + +<p>On the 24th of May the line was ready for its test.</p> + +<p>Every one was anxious.</p> + +<p>Mr. Vail was at the Baltimore end of the line.</p> + +<p>Miss Ellsworth, the young lady who had <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span>the promise of sending the +first message, was with Mr. Morse.</p> + +<p>Remember the twelve long, weary, anxious years, during which Mr. +Morse had worked and waited.</p> + +<p>It was an anxious moment.</p> + +<p>Miss Ellsworth chose her message from the Bible.</p> + +<p>It is found in Numbers, 23rd chapter, 23rd verse.</p> + +<p>The words are: "What hath God wrought!"</p> + +<p>This was received at once by Mr. Vail.</p> + +<p>Professor Morse said this of the words of the message:—</p> + +<p>"It baptized the American Telegraph with the name of the author."</p> + +<p>He meant by this, that God was the author of the telegraph.</p> + +<p>What a glad, happy time followed!</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>Everybody congratulated Mr. Morse.</p> + +<p>The democratic convention took place two days later.</p> + +<p>There was much excitement.</p> + +<p>James K. Polk was nominated for President.</p> + +<p>All sorts of messages were sent over the new telegraph line.</p> + +<p>Mr. Morse loved his country.</p> + +<p>And through his whole life worked for its interests.</p> + +<p>He rejoiced in having his invention called an American invention.</p> + +<p>He was at one time in Europe.</p> + +<p>His friend, Mr. F.O.J. Smith, was embarking on his voyage for home.</p> + +<p>Mr. Morse said to him:—</p> + +<p>"When you arrive in sight of dear America, bless it for me.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>"And when you land, kiss the very ground for me.</p> + +<p>"Land of lands! Oh, that all our country-men would but know their +blessings!</p> + +<p>"God hath not dealt so with any nation.</p> + +<p>"We ought to be the best, as well as the happiest and most +prosperous of all nations.</p> + +<p>"Nor should we forget to whom we are in debt for all these +blessings.</p> + +<p>"'Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any +nation.'"</p> + +<br /> +<hr style='width: 15%;' /> +<br /> + +<p>There were still many hard things for Mr. Morse to endure.</p> + +<p>Wicked men tried to steal his invention from him.</p> + +<p>They pretended to have invented telegraphs.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span>The nations of Europe did not treat him justly.</p> + +<p>But, little by little, the telegraph lines were built over the +country.</p> + +<p>Little, by little, the world came to know and love the name of +Samuel F.B. Morse.</p> + +<p>Honors of all sorts were given him.</p> + +<p>But, through all, he was the same kind, patient man.</p> + +<p>The Sultan of Turkey was the first foreign prince to honor Mr. +Morse.</p> + +<p>But he was followed by many others.</p> + +<p>You have noticed that Mr. Morse never had a chance to enjoy a home.</p> + +<p>In 1847, he bought a beautiful home upon the Hudson.</p> + +<p>In the following year he married Miss Griswold, a lady born at Sault +Ste. Marie.</p> + +<p>They called their new home Locust Grove.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span>There they enjoyed life greatly.</p> + +<p>Professor Morse had a telegraph instrument in his study.</p> + +<p>He afterwards bought a beautiful home in New York City.</p> + +<p>There they spent their winters.</p> + +<p>These words were written by a friend to Mrs. Morse, alluding to her +husband:—</p> + +<p>"Though he did not 'snatch the thunder from the heaven,' he gave the +electric current thought, and bound the earth in light."</p> + +<p>To Mr. Morse belongs also the honor of the submarine telegraph.</p> + +<p>A successful telegraph of this kind was laid near New York City.</p> + +<p>Other gentlemen became interested in this.</p> + +<p>Chief among these were Mr. Cyrus W. Field and his brother David +Dudley Field.</p> + +<p>The story of the cable laid across the Atlantic is a long one.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span>But Mr. Morse lived to see this, too, a success.</p> + +<p>When Mr. Morse was eighty years of age, his statue was erected in +Central Park, New York.</p> + +<p>This was done by the telegraph operators of the country.</p> + +<p>It represented Mr. Morse as sending the first message of the +telegraph, "What hath God wrought."</p> + +<p>Mr. Morse was present when the statue was unveiled.</p> + +<p>In 1872 he became very ill.</p> + +<p>His busy life was at an end.</p> + +<p>The whole country mourned, as news flashed over the wires that +Professor Morse was dying.</p> + +<p>The light was going out of those bright, kind eyes.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span>The fingers that harnessed the steed, Lightning were powerless.</p> + +<p>The great brain, that had worked so hard for the world, was ready +for rest.</p> + +<p>The great heart, that never kept an unkind thought, ceased to beat.</p> + +<p>All America mourned for him.</p> + +<p>Messages were received from Europe, Asia and Africa, paying tribute +to the dead.</p> + +<p>Few men have lived such lives as did Samuel Finley Breese Morse.</p> + +<br /> + +<div class="img"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep119.png" width="45%" alt="deco" /> +</div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> + +<div class="img"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +<a href="images/imagep120.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep120.jpg" width="70%" alt="PETER COOPER." /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em; font-size: 80%;">PETER COOPER.</p> +</div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a name="Peter_Cooper" id="Peter_Cooper"></a><hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span><br /> + +<h2 class="sc">Peter Cooper.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h2> +<br /> + +<p>On the seventh of April, in 1883, the great city of New York was in +mourning. Flags were at half-mast. The bells tolled.</p> + +<p>Shops were closed, but in the windows were pictures of a kind-faced, +white-haired man.</p> + +<p>These pictures were draped in black.</p> + +<p>All day long tens of thousands of people passed by an open coffin in +one of the churches.</p> + +<p>Some of these people were governors, some millionaires.</p> + +<p>There were poor women, too, with little children in their arms.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span>There were workmen in their common clothes.</p> + +<p>There were ragged newsboys.</p> + +<p>And all these people had aching hearts.</p> + +<p>The great daily papers printed many columns about the sad event.</p> + +<p>People in England sent messages by the Atlantic cable that they, +too, had sad hearts.</p> + +<p>Who was this man for whom the world mourned on that April day?</p> + +<p>Was he a president? Oh, no.</p> + +<p>A great general? Far from it.</p> + +<p>Did he live magnificently and have splendid carriages and fine +diamonds?</p> + +<p>No, he was simply Peter Cooper, a man ninety-two years old, and the +best loved man in America.</p> + +<p>Had he given money?</p> + +<p>Yes, but other men in our country do that</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span>Had he traveled abroad, and so become widely known?</p> + +<p>No, he would never go to Europe because he wished to use his money +in a different way.</p> + +<p>Why, then, was he loved by so many?</p> + +<p>One of the New York papers gave this truthful answer:</p> + +<p>"Peter Cooper went through his long life as gentle as a sweet woman, +as kind as a good mother, as honest as a man could live, and remain +human."</p> + +<p>Some boys would be ashamed to be thought as gentle as a girl, but +not so Peter Cooper.</p> + +<p>He was born poor, and was always willing that everyone should know +it.</p> + +<p>He despised pride.</p> + +<p>When his old horse and chaise came down Broadway, every cartman and +omnibus driver turned aside for him.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span>Though a millionaire, he was their friend and brother, and they were +proud and fond of him.</p> + +<p>He gave away more than he kept.</p> + +<p>He found places for the poor to work if possible.</p> + +<p>He gave money to those he found were worthy.</p> + +<p>And though he was one of the busiest men in America, he always took +time to be kind.</p> + +<p>His pastor, Mr. Collyer, said this of him:—</p> + +<p>"His presence, wherever he went, lay like a bar of sunshine across a +dark and troubled day. I have seen it light up the careworn faces of +thousands of people. It seemed as if those who looked at him were +saying to themselves; 'It cannot be so bad a world as we thought, +since Peter Cooper lives in it and blesses us.'"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>But how did this poor boy become a millionaire? And how did he get +people to love him so?</p> + +<p>He did it, boys and girls, by making up his mind to do it at first, +and then sticking to it.</p> + +<p>Nobody could have had more hard things to overcome than Peter +Cooper.</p> + +<p>His parents were poor and had nine children.</p> + +<p>His father moved from town to town, always hoping to do better.</p> + +<p>He forgot the old saying, "A rolling stone gathers no moss."</p> + +<p>When the fifth baby was born, he was named after the Apostle Peter, +because his father said, "This boy will come to something."</p> + +<p>But he was not a strong boy.</p> + +<p>He was able to go to school but one year of his life, and then only +every other day.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span>His father was a hatter, and when Peter was eight years old he +pulled hair from rabbit skins for hat pulp.</p> + +<p>Year after year he worked harder than he was able, but he was +determined to win.</p> + +<p>When his eight little brothers and sisters needed shoes, he ripped +up an old one to see how it was made. Always after that he made the +shoes for the family.</p> + +<p>Do you think a lazy boy would have done that?</p> + +<p>When he was seventeen, he bade his anxious mother good-bye, and +started for New York to make his fortune.</p> + +<p>Do you know what a lottery is?</p> + +<p>It is a way dishonest people have of making money.</p> + +<p>Tickets are sold for prizes, and of course only one person can get +the prize, while all the rest must lose their money.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span>Soon after Peter Cooper reached New York he saw an advertisement of +a lottery.</p> + +<p>He might draw a prize by buying a ticket.</p> + +<p>Each ticket cost ten dollars.</p> + +<p>Peter had just that much money.</p> + +<p>He thought the matter over carefully.</p> + +<p>He wished very much to have some money, for then he could help his +mother.</p> + +<p>So he bought a ticket, and drew—nothing.</p> + +<p>Poor boy! he was now penniless.</p> + +<p>But he never touched games of chance again.</p> + +<p>Years afterward he used to say, "It was the cheapest piece of +knowledge I ever bought."</p> + +<p>Day after day the tall, slender boy walked the streets of New York +looking for work.</p> + +<p>At last he found a place.</p> + +<p>It was in a carriage shop.</p> + +<p>Here he bound himself as apprentice for five years at two dollars a +month and board.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span>You see he could buy no good clothes.</p> + +<p>He had no money for cigars or pleasures of any kind.</p> + +<p>He helped to bring carriages for rich men's sons to ride in.</p> + +<p>There is an old saying, that "everybody has to walk at one end of +life," and they are fortunate who walk at the beginning and ride at +the close.</p> + +<p>When his day's work was over he liked to read.</p> + +<p>His companions made fun of him because he would not join them.</p> + +<p>He made a little money by extra work.</p> + +<p>He hired a teacher, to whom he recited evenings.</p> + +<p>He was often very tired, but he never complained.</p> + +<p>He had many friends because he was always good-natured.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span>He used often to say to himself, "If ever I get rich I will build a +place where the poor girls and boys of New York may have an +education free."</p> + +<p>Wasn't that a queer thought for a boy who earned only fifty cents a +week?</p> + +<p>Yet perhaps his even dreaming such dreams helped him to do the great +things of which I shall tell you.</p> + +<p>Now, Peter noticed that the tools which they worked with in the +carriage shop were not very good.</p> + +<p>So he began to try to make better ones.</p> + +<p>He succeeded in doing so, but Mr. Woodward, the man for whom he +worked, had all the benefit of his work.</p> + +<p>But at last Peter's apprenticeship was over.</p> + +<p>Much to his surprise Mr. Woodward one day called him into his +office.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>"You have been very faithful," he said, "and I will set you up in a +carriage manufactory of your own.</p> + +<p>"You could pay me back the money borrowed in a few years."</p> + +<p>This was a remarkable offer for a poor young man.</p> + +<p>But Peter had made it a solemn rule of his life never to go in debt.</p> + +<p>So he thanked Mr. Woodward very earnestly, but declined his offer.</p> + +<p>It was then Mr. Woodward's turn to be astonished.</p> + +<p>But he knew Peter was right, and respected his good judgment in the +matter.</p> + +<p>We may now call Peter Cooper a mechanic.</p> + +<p>A mechanic is one who has skill in using tools in shaping wood, +metals, etc.</p> + +<p>Peter now found a situation in a woolen mill at Hempstead, Long +Island.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span>Here he received nine dollars a week.</p> + +<p>Still he kept trying to find better ways of doing things.</p> + +<p>He invented a machine for shearing cloth, and from that earned five +hundred dollars in two years.</p> + +<p>With so much money as this he could not rest until he had visited +his mother.</p> + +<p>He found his parents deeply in debt.</p> + +<p>He gave them the whole of his money, and promised to do more than +that.</p> + +<p>His father had not made a mistake in naming him after the Apostle +Peter.</p> + +<p>During this time Mr. Cooper had learned to know a beautiful girl +named Sarah Bedell. This girl became his wife.</p> + +<p>They moved to New York.</p> + +<p>Here Mr. Cooper had a grocery-store.</p> + +<p>A friend advised him to buy a glue factory which was for sale.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span>He knew nothing of the business, but he thought he could learn it.</p> + +<p>He soon made not only the best glue, but the cheapest in the +country.</p> + +<p>For thirty years he carried on this business almost alone, with no +salesman and no book-keeper.</p> + +<p>He rose every morning at daylight, kindled his factory fires, and +worked all the forenoon making glue.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon he sold it.</p> + +<p>In the evenings he kept his accounts, wrote his letters, and read +with his wife and children.</p> + +<p>He worked this way long after he had an income of thirty thousand +dollars a year.</p> + +<p>This was not because he wanted to have so much more money for +himself.</p> + +<p>You remember he had a plan to carry out which would take much +money.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span>That was to build his free school for the poor.</p> + +<p>He had no time for parties or pleasures.</p> + +<p>But the people of New York knew he was both honest and intelligent.</p> + +<p>They asked him to be a member of the City Council, and President of +their Board of Education.</p> + +<p>Peter Cooper never refused to do anything which might help others.</p> + +<p>So he did not refuse these offices.</p> + +<p>I must tell you now about Mr. Cooper's first child, and how fine a +thing it was to have an inventor for a papa.</p> + +<p>Mr. Cooper made for this baby a self-rocking cradle, with a fan +attached to keep off the flies, and with a musical instrument to +soothe the dear baby into dreamland.</p> + +<p>Mr. Cooper's business prospered.</p> + +<div class="img"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +<a href="images/imagep134.png"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep134.png" width="80%" alt="THE "BEST FRIEND," FIRST LOCOMOTIVE BUILT IN +AMERICA. BUILT BY PETER COOPER." /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em; font-size: 80%;">THE "BEST FRIEND,"—FIRST LOCOMOTIVE BUILT IN +AMERICA. BUILT BY PETER COOPER.</p> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span>Once the glue factory burned, with a loss of forty thousand dollars.</p> + +<p>But at nine o'clock the next morning there was lumber on the ground +for a factory three times as large as the one burned.</p> + +<p>He then built a rolling mill and furnace in Baltimore.</p> + +<p>They were then trying to build the Baltimore and Ohio railroad.</p> + +<p>Only thirteen miles of the road had been finished.</p> + +<p>The directors were about to give up the work.</p> + +<p>There were many sharp turns in the track.</p> + +<p>The directors were discouraged because they thought no engine could +be made to make those turns.</p> + +<p>Mr. Cooper knew that this road would help his rolling mill.</p> + +<p>Nothing could discourage him.</p> + +<div class="img"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> +<a href="images/imagep136.png"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep136.png" width="95%" alt="FIRST TRAIN IN AMERICA." /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em; font-size: 80%;">FIRST TRAIN IN AMERICA.</p> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span>He went to work and made the first locomotive made in America.</p> + +<p>He attached a box-car to it.</p> + +<p>Then he invited the directors to take a ride.</p> + +<p>He took the place of engineer himself.</p> + +<p>Away they flew over the thirteen miles in an hour.</p> + +<p>The directors took courage, and the road was soon finished.</p> + +<p>Years after, when Mr. Cooper had become a great man, he was invited +to visit Baltimore.</p> + +<p>The old engine was brought out, much to the delight of the people, +who cheered again and again at sight of it.</p> + +<p>Mr. Cooper soon built at Trenton, N.J., the largest rolling mill in +the United States.</p> + +<p>He also built a large blast furnace, and steel and wire works in +different parts of Pennsylvania.</p> + +<div class="img"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +<a href="images/imagep138.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep138.jpg" width="95%" alt="NEW YORK CENTRAL EMPIRE STATE EXPRESS. FASTEST LOCOMOTIVE IN THE WORLD. "ENGINE 999."" /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em; font-size: 80%;">NEW YORK CENTRAL EMPIRE STATE EXPRESS. <br /> +FASTEST LOCOMOTIVE IN THE WORLD. "ENGINE 999."<br />Copyrighted by A.P. Yates, by permission of New York Central R.R.</p> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span>He bought the Andover iron mines.</p> + +<p>He built eight miles of railroad in this rough country.</p> + +<p>Over this road he carried forty thousand tons a year.</p> + +<p>The poor boy, who once earned but twenty-five dollars a year, had +become a millionaire.</p> + +<p>No good luck accomplished this.</p> + +<p>But these are the things that did it:</p> + +<div class="block"> +<p class="hang">Hard work.</p> +<p class="hang">Living within his means.</p> +<p class="hang">Saving his time.</p> +<p class="hang">Common sense, which helped him to look carefully before he + invested his money.</p> +<p class="hang">Promptness.</p> +<p class="hang">Keeping his word.</p> +</div> + +<p>Mr. Cooper was honorable in all his business.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span>Once he said to a friend who had an interest in the Trenton works:</p> + +<p>"I do not feel quite easy about the amount we are making. We are +making too much money. It is not right."</p> + +<p>The price was made lower at once.</p> + +<p>Do you not think Peter Cooper was an unusual kind of a man to lower +the price of an article just because the world needed it so much?</p> + +<p>He was now sixty-four years of age.</p> + +<p>He had worked day and night for forty years to build his Free +College.</p> + +<p>He had bought the ground for it.</p> + +<p>And now for five whole years he watched his great, six-story, +brown-stone building as it grew.</p> + +<p>The man who was once a penniless lad should teach many through these +great stones some of the lessons he knew so well.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span>Some of these are industry, economy and perseverance.</p> + +<p>The words which he wrote and placed in a box in the corner stone are +not too hard for you to read.</p> + +<p>"The great object that I desire to accomplish by the erection of +this Institution is to open the avenues of scientific knowledge to +the youth of our city and country, and so unfold the volume of +Nature that the young may see the beauties of creation, enjoy its +blessings, and learn to love the Author from whom cometh every good +and perfect gift."</p> + +<p>But would the poor young men and women of New York who worked hard +all day care for an education?</p> + +<p>Some people said no.</p> + +<p>But Mr. Cooper thought of his own boyhood, and believed that young +people loved books, and would be glad of a chance to study them.</p> + +<div class="img"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +<a href="images/imagep142.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep142.jpg" width="75%" alt="COOPER INSTITUTE, NEW YORK CITY." /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em; font-size: 80%;">COOPER INSTITUTE, NEW YORK CITY.</p> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span>And when the grand building was opened students crowded in from the +shops and factories.</p> + +<p>Some were worn and tired, as Peter Cooper had often been in his +youth.</p> + +<p>But they studied eagerly in spite of that.</p> + +<p>Every Saturday night two thousand came together in the great hall.</p> + +<p>There the most famous people in the world lectured before them.</p> + +<p>Every year nearly five hundred thousand read in the free library and +reading rooms.</p> + +<p>Four thousand pupils came to the night school to study science and +art.</p> + +<p>The white-haired, kindly-faced man went daily to see the students.</p> + +<p>They loved him as a father.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span>His last act was to buy ten type-writers for the girls in that +department.</p> + +<p>Has the work paid?</p> + +<p>Ask any of those young men and women who have gone out from Cooper +Institute to earn their own living.</p> + +<p>Not one of them had to pay a cent for his education.</p> + +<p>No one is admitted who does not expect to earn his living.</p> + +<p>Mr. Cooper did not love weak, idle young people, who are willing +their parents shall take care of them.</p> + +<p>The work has grown so large that more money is needed—perhaps +another million.</p> + +<p>Mr. Cooper gave it two millions of dollars.</p> + +<p>Many are turned from the doors because there is no more room.</p> + +<p>Some of the pupils from the Institute have become teachers.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span>One receives two dollars an hour for teaching.</p> + +<p>Several engrave on wood.</p> + +<p>One receives one hundred and fifty dollars a month.</p> + +<p>Another, a lady, married a gentleman of wealth, and to show her +gratitude to Mr. Cooper has opened another "Free School of Art."</p> + +<p>Is it any wonder that when Peter Cooper died thirty-five hundred +came up from the Institution to lay roses upon his coffin.</p> + +<p>His last words to his son and daughter were not to forget Cooper +Union.</p> + +<p>They have just given one hundred thousand dollars to it.</p> + +<p>Mr. Cooper had many friends among the great and good of the land.</p> + +<p>He died as unselfishly as he had lived, and who can measure the good +he did in the world?</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> + +<div class="img"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> +<a href="images/imagep146.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep146.jpg" width="70%" alt="EDISON." /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em; font-size: 80%;">EDISON.</p> +</div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a name="A_Great_Inventor" id="A_Great_Inventor"></a><hr /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span><br /> + +<h2 class="sc">A Great Inventor.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h2> +<br /> + +<p>Thomas A. Edison was born in Milan, Ohio, February 11, 1847.</p> + +<p>There was nothing in Milan to make a boy wish to do great deeds.</p> + +<p>There was a canal there.</p> + +<p>Thomas had one great help—his mother.</p> + +<p>She had been a teacher.</p> + +<p>Her greatest wish for her son was that he should love knowledge.</p> + +<p>Thomas had a quick mind.</p> + +<p>He inquired into everything.</p> + +<p>He was fond of getting every little thing well learned.</p> + +<p>He never did things by halves.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span>He loved to try experiments.</p> + +<p>When Thomas was a very little boy, only six years old, and still +wearing dresses, he did a very funny thing.</p> + +<p>He was one day found missing.</p> + +<p>His frightened parents searched for him long and anxiously.</p> + +<p>Where do you think he was found?</p> + +<p>They found him in the barn, sitting on a nest of goose eggs, with +his dress spread out to keep them warm.</p> + +<p>He thought he could hatch some goslings as well as the mother-goose.</p> + +<p>He had placed some food near by so that he might stay as long as +necessary.</p> + +<p>He went to a regular school only two months.</p> + +<p>His father and mother were his teachers.</p> + +<p>His father, to encourage him to read, paid him for every book which +he read.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span>But Thomas did not need to be paid to read, for he read with +pleasure every volume he could get hold of.</p> + +<p>When he was ten years old, he was reading such books as Gibbon's +"History of Rome," Hume's "History of England," and Sear's "History +of the World."</p> + +<p>Besides these, he had read several books about chemistry.</p> + +<p>He loved to read about great men and their deeds.</p> + +<p>When he played, it was at building plank roads, digging caves, and +exploring the banks of the canal.</p> + +<p>When only twelve years of age, he was obliged to go out into the +world and earn his own living.</p> + +<p>He obtained a place as train-boy on the Grand Trunk Railroad, in +Eastern Michigan.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span>He sold apples, peanuts, song-books, and papers.</p> + +<p>He had such a pleasant, sunny face that everyone liked to buy of +him.</p> + +<p>He succeeded so well that soon he had four boys working under him.</p> + +<p>This was not enough to keep him busy.</p> + +<p>He had never lost his liking for chemistry.</p> + +<p>He managed to trade some of his papers for things with which to try +experiments.</p> + +<p>He found a book which helped him.</p> + +<p>He fitted up an old baggage car as a room for his experiments.</p> + +<p>He was afraid some one would touch his chemicals; so he labelled +every bottle, "Poison."</p> + +<p>Soon this busy boy had another business.</p> + +<p>He bought three hundred pounds of old type from the "Detroit Free +Press."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span>He had gained a little knowledge of printing by keeping his eyes +open when buying papers.</p> + +<p>Soon a paper, called the "Grand Trunk Herald," was printed by Master +Tom.</p> + +<p>This paper was twelve by sixteen inches in size.</p> + +<p>It was filled with railway gossip and many other things of interest +to travelers.</p> + +<p>Baggagemen and brakemen wrote articles for it.</p> + +<p>George Stephenson, who built a great bridge at Montreal, liked it so +well that he ordered an extra edition for his own use.</p> + +<p>Everybody liked it.</p> + +<p>The "London Times" spoke of it as the only paper in the world +published on a railway train.</p> + +<p>But the "Grand Trunk Herald" had a sad ending.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span>Do you know what phosphorus is?</p> + +<p>It is a substance which will take fire of itself if not kept under +water.</p> + +<p>Tom's bottle of phosphorus was thrown to the floor by the jolting of +the car.</p> + +<p>Soon everything was on fire.</p> + +<p>The conductor rushed in and threw all the type and chemicals out of +the car.</p> + +<p>He also gave the young chemist a thrashing.</p> + +<p>Poor Thomas gathered up what was left.</p> + +<p>He put his things in the basement of his father's house.</p> + +<p>Thomas's father now lived at Port Huron.</p> + +<p>Thomas always slept at home.</p> + +<p>He now printed another and a larger journal.</p> + +<p>This was called the "Paul Pry."</p> + +<p>In this he published an article which one of his subscribers did not +like.</p> + +<p>The angry man, meeting Thomas on the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span>banks of the St. Clair River, +picked him up and threw him in.</p> + +<p>Thomas was a good swimmer and reached the shore in safety.</p> + +<p>But he did not care for the printing business any more.</p> + +<p>During the four years in which Thomas Edison was a train-boy, he had +earned two thousand dollars and given it all to his parents.</p> + +<p>When in Detroit, he read as much as possible from the public +library.</p> + +<p>Once he thought he would begin with number one and read each of the +thousand volumes.</p> + +<p>He read until he had finished a long row of hard books on a shelf +fifteen feet long.</p> + +<p>Then he made up his mind that anyone would have to live as long as +Methuselah to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span>read a library through, and gave up the plan.</p> + +<p>Thomas became interested in telegraphy during the Civil War.</p> + +<p>He used to telegraph the headings in his paper ahead one station.</p> + +<p>He thought this a good way to advertise.</p> + +<p>He finally bought a good book about electricity.</p> + +<p>Soon the basement of the house at Port Huron was filled with many +things beside printing presses.</p> + +<p>He used stove-pipe wire, and soon had a telegraph wire between the +basement and the home of a boy friend.</p> + +<p>Perhaps it was a good thing that all the children in the Edison +family were not like Thomas.</p> + +<p>Had they been, the poor old house would scarcely have held them.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span>But the mother was proud of all that Thomas did.</p> + +<p>She did not worry over the bottles, wires, strings, and printing +presses.</p> + +<p>About this time Thomas did a brave thing.</p> + +<p>The station agent at Mt. Clemens had a baby boy two years old.</p> + +<p>This baby crept on to the track in front of a train just coming in.</p> + +<p>Quick as thought, young Edison rushed to the track and saved the +child at the risk of his own life.</p> + +<p>The baby's father was very grateful and offered to teach Thomas +telegraphy.</p> + +<p>Of course, Thomas was very happy, and accepted the offer.</p> + +<p>He came to Mt. Clemens every evening, after working hard all day.</p> + +<p>He did so well that, in five months, he was given a position at Port +Huron.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span>He earned six and one-quarter dollars a week.</p> + +<p>He worked almost night and day, so that he might learn all he could +about it.</p> + +<p>His mother said that the world would hear from her boy some day.</p> + +<p>Afterwards he worked in several places.</p> + +<p>In Indianapolis, though not yet seventeen, he invented his first +telegraph instrument.</p> + +<p>This was thought to be a great thing for so young a boy to do.</p> + +<p>He lost several places because he tried new ways.</p> + +<p>At last, he was obliged to walk nearly all the way to Louisville +because he had no money.</p> + +<p>Here he was given a good position.</p> + +<p>He stayed several years.</p> + +<p>Under the telegraph rooms was an elegant bank.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span>One day, while experimenting, he spilled a great bottle of acid.</p> + +<p>This acid went through the floor into the bank below.</p> + +<p>Of course it spoiled the ceiling, handsome carpets, and furniture.</p> + +<p>So the unfortunate inventor had to leave Louisville.</p> + +<p>He finally gave up trying to be a telegraph operator.</p> + +<p>He opened a little shop.</p> + +<p>He invented many things, and kept on thinking.</p> + +<p>He could not make his inventions successful, for he had little +money.</p> + +<p>He thought so hard that he forgot everything else.</p> + +<p>Once he was asked to speak before a company.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span>He forgot all about it.</p> + +<p>They sent for him, and found him at the top of a house putting up a +telegraph line.</p> + +<p>He went in his working clothes to make his speech.</p> + +<p>He felt queer when he found a room full of elegant ladies.</p> + +<p>But he made a good speech.</p> + +<p>Then he went to New York.</p> + +<p>There he walked the streets three weeks, looking for work.</p> + +<p>Nobody wanted a man who experimented.</p> + +<p>By chance, he one day went into an office where the telegraph +instrument was out of repair.</p> + +<p>He offered to fix it.</p> + +<p>They laughed at him, but let him try.</p> + +<p>He succeeded in fixing it.</p> + +<p>They gave him a good position.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span>From this time on there were better times for him.</p> + +<p>After this the world soon sang his praises; and, in the next ten +years, Fortune poured into his lap half a million dollars.</p> + +<p>This was the result of his thinking.</p> + +<p>The man who was in charge of the United States Patent Office called +him "the young man who keeps the pathway to the Patent Office hot +with his footsteps."</p> + +<p>Mr. Edison believed that two messages could be sent over the same +wire at the same time.</p> + +<p>Of course the world laughed at the idea.</p> + +<p>But soon our inventor managed to send four messages over the same +wire at the same time.</p> + +<p>Then the world stopped laughing.</p> + +<p>People said, "This young man is the greatest <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span>inventor of his age, +and a discoverer as well."</p> + +<p>The Grand Trunk train-boy had proved a genius.</p> + +<p>When twenty-six years of age, he married a young lady of Newark, +Miss Mary Stillwell.</p> + +<p>Three years later he moved to Menlo Park.</p> + +<p>This was twenty-four miles from New York.</p> + +<p>It was not a pleasant place, but he hoped to work there in quiet.</p> + +<p>He had so many visitors that he could not work.</p> + +<p>He said, "I think I shall fix a wire to my gate, and connect it with +a battery so that it will knock everybody over that touches it."</p> + +<p>But he was really kind.</p> + +<p>He would smile pleasantly, and explain patiently to anyone who +wished to know about his inventions.</p> + +<p>At Menlo Park he built a great laboratory.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span>This was filled with batteries and machinery.</p> + +<p>Here all the world came to see his wonderful talking machine.</p> + +<p>It is called a phonograph.</p> + +<p>What do you think Mr. Edison called this machine?</p> + +<p>He said, "I have invented a great many machines, but this is my +baby, and I expect it to grow up and support me in my old age."</p> + +<p>Would you like to know the names of some of his inventions.</p> + +<p>One is the carbon telephone.</p> + +<p>The tasimeter measures the heat even of the far away stars.</p> + +<p>The electric pen multiplies copies of letters and drawings.</p> + +<p>Over sixty thousand are now in use in this country.</p> + +<p>The automatic telegraph permits the sending of several thousand +words over the same wire in one minute.</p> + +<div class="img"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> +<a href="images/imagep162.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep162.jpg" width="95%" alt="Edison at a school" /></a><br /> +</div> + +<p>There are many others.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p> + +<p>Do you wonder that he is called "The Wizard of Menlo Park?"</p> + +<p>But his crowning discovery is the electric light.</p> + +<p>Some gentlemen of New York put one hundred thousand dollars into Mr. +Edison's hands.</p> + +<p>They told him to experiment until he could make a light which every +one would be glad to use.</p> + +<p>Many had tried to do this and had not succeeded.</p> + +<p>It is said that he tried two thousand substances for the arch in his +glass globe before he found one which suited him.</p> + +<p>Do you know what he chose at last?</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span>Do you remember the plant which the boys and girls of India, China, +and Japan know so well?</p> + +<p>It is the bamboo.</p> + +<p>And it was bamboo which Mr. Edison chose.</p> + +<p>Oh, how glad this light made many people!</p> + +<p>In ten cotton factories in one town were men, women, and children +working.</p> + +<p>They worked in rooms where gas was used.</p> + +<p>The gas injured their eyes and health.</p> + +<p>Now in those same factories there are sixty thousand electric +lights.</p> + +<p>The bamboo burns six hundred hours before it has to be replaced.</p> + +<p>Would you like a picture of Mr. Edison?</p> + +<p>Close your eyes then and think of him like this.</p> + +<p>He is five feet ten inches high.</p> + +<p>His face is boyish, but earnest.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span>He has light gray eyes.</p> + +<p>His hair is dark, slightly gray, and falls over his forehead.</p> + +<p>He is a pleasant man to see.</p> + +<p>He loves his work.</p> + +<p>For ten years he has averaged eighteen hour's work a day.</p> + +<p>You have seen that he is not a man to give up easily.</p> + +<p>Once an invention of his—a printing press—failed.</p> + +<p>He took five men into the upper part of his factory.</p> + +<p>He declared he would never come down until it worked satisfactorily.</p> + +<p>For two days and nights, and for twelve hours more, he worked +without sleep.</p> + +<p>He conquered the difficulty.</p> + +<p>Then he slept thirty hours.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span>He often works all night.</p> + +<p>He says he can work best when the rest of the world sleeps.</p> + +<p>But he likes fun, too.</p> + +<p>One day he said to his old friend, of whom he learned telegraphing,</p> + +<p>"Look here—I am able to send a message from New York to Boston +without any wire at all."</p> + +<p>"That is impossible," said his friend.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, it's a new invention."</p> + +<p>"Well, how is it done?" said Mr. McKensie.</p> + +<p>"By sealing it up and sending by mail," was the comical answer.</p> + +<p>He has two children.</p> + +<p>One, a girl, Mary, is nicknamed "Dot."</p> + +<p>The other, a son, Thomas, is called "Dash."</p> + +<p>Mr. Edison doesn't like to have great dinners given in his honor.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span>But the world gives him great honors.</p> + +<p>At the Paris Exposition in 1881, two great rooms were filled with +his inventions.</p> + +<p>The rooms were lighted with his lights.</p> + +<p>He receives letters daily in French, German, Italian, Spanish, +Russian, and Turkish.</p> + +<p>Mr. Edison says, "Anything is possible with electricity."</p> + +<p>That he is a genius, nobody can deny.</p> + +<p>But do you suppose he could have done all these things without his +great reading, or if he had been a lazy person?</p> + + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<div class="tr"> +<p class="cen"><a name="TN" id="TN"></a>Typographical errors corrected in text:</p> +<br /> +Page 141: perserverance replaced with perseverance<br /> +Page 154: betwen replaced with between<br /> +Page 155: Clemans replaced with Clemens<br /> +</div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Stories of Great Inventors, by Hattie E. Macomber + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORIES OF GREAT INVENTORS *** + +***** This file should be named 19533-h.htm or 19533-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/5/3/19533/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Jeannie Howse and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/19533-h/images/imagep006.jpg b/19533-h/images/imagep006.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5951796 --- /dev/null +++ b/19533-h/images/imagep006.jpg diff --git a/19533-h/images/imagep010.png b/19533-h/images/imagep010.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ac125aa --- /dev/null +++ b/19533-h/images/imagep010.png diff --git a/19533-h/images/imagep022.jpg b/19533-h/images/imagep022.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4dac50b --- /dev/null +++ b/19533-h/images/imagep022.jpg diff --git a/19533-h/images/imagep032a.png b/19533-h/images/imagep032a.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7e0b01d --- /dev/null +++ b/19533-h/images/imagep032a.png diff --git a/19533-h/images/imagep032b.png b/19533-h/images/imagep032b.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8450d77 --- /dev/null +++ b/19533-h/images/imagep032b.png diff --git a/19533-h/images/imagep034.png b/19533-h/images/imagep034.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0822888 --- /dev/null +++ b/19533-h/images/imagep034.png diff --git a/19533-h/images/imagep037.jpg b/19533-h/images/imagep037.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6114974 --- /dev/null +++ b/19533-h/images/imagep037.jpg diff --git a/19533-h/images/imagep040.jpg b/19533-h/images/imagep040.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..daf61fe --- /dev/null +++ b/19533-h/images/imagep040.jpg diff --git a/19533-h/images/imagep044.png b/19533-h/images/imagep044.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d55e6bc --- /dev/null +++ b/19533-h/images/imagep044.png diff --git a/19533-h/images/imagep046.jpg b/19533-h/images/imagep046.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e5d1c6f --- /dev/null +++ b/19533-h/images/imagep046.jpg diff --git a/19533-h/images/imagep066.png b/19533-h/images/imagep066.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9635cb1 --- /dev/null +++ b/19533-h/images/imagep066.png diff --git a/19533-h/images/imagep068.jpg b/19533-h/images/imagep068.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..83781dd --- /dev/null +++ b/19533-h/images/imagep068.jpg diff --git a/19533-h/images/imagep076.jpg b/19533-h/images/imagep076.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..76e3e97 --- /dev/null +++ b/19533-h/images/imagep076.jpg diff --git a/19533-h/images/imagep078.jpg b/19533-h/images/imagep078.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0a278f9 --- /dev/null +++ b/19533-h/images/imagep078.jpg diff --git a/19533-h/images/imagep102.png b/19533-h/images/imagep102.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9dd9e95 --- /dev/null +++ b/19533-h/images/imagep102.png diff --git a/19533-h/images/imagep119.png b/19533-h/images/imagep119.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..732092b --- /dev/null +++ b/19533-h/images/imagep119.png diff --git a/19533-h/images/imagep120.jpg b/19533-h/images/imagep120.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ee22bcc --- /dev/null +++ b/19533-h/images/imagep120.jpg diff --git a/19533-h/images/imagep134.png b/19533-h/images/imagep134.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2a348d2 --- /dev/null +++ b/19533-h/images/imagep134.png diff --git a/19533-h/images/imagep136.png b/19533-h/images/imagep136.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ff94f34 --- /dev/null +++ b/19533-h/images/imagep136.png diff --git a/19533-h/images/imagep138.jpg b/19533-h/images/imagep138.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3f8e18b --- /dev/null +++ b/19533-h/images/imagep138.jpg diff --git a/19533-h/images/imagep142.jpg b/19533-h/images/imagep142.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f206247 --- /dev/null +++ b/19533-h/images/imagep142.jpg diff --git a/19533-h/images/imagep146.jpg b/19533-h/images/imagep146.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9c99b6f --- /dev/null +++ b/19533-h/images/imagep146.jpg diff --git a/19533-h/images/imagep162.jpg b/19533-h/images/imagep162.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..92ec6bd --- /dev/null +++ b/19533-h/images/imagep162.jpg diff --git a/19533.txt b/19533.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..183dc40 --- /dev/null +++ b/19533.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4118 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Stories of Great Inventors, by Hattie E. Macomber + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Stories of Great Inventors + Fulton, Whitney, Morse, Cooper, Edison + +Author: Hattie E. Macomber + +Release Date: October 13, 2006 [EBook #19533] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORIES OF GREAT INVENTORS *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Jeannie Howse and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + * * * * * + + +--------------------------------------------------------------+ + | Transcriber's Note: | + | | + | This children's book has a new paragraph for every sentence, | + | and other unusual formatting. | + | | + | Inconsistent hyphenation and quotation marks in the original | + | document have been preserved. | + | | + | A number of obvious typographical errors have been corrected | + | in this text. For a complete list, please see the end of | + | this document. | + | | + +--------------------------------------------------------------+ + + * * * * * + + + + + _Young Folk's Library of Choice Literature_ + + STORIES OF + + GREAT INVENTORS + + FULTON + WHITNEY + MORSE + COOPER + EDISON + + BY + + HATTIE E. MACOMBER + + EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHING COMPANY + BOSTON + NEW YORK CHICAGO SAN FRANCISCO + + + + + COPYRIGHTED + By EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHING COMPANY + 1897 + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + PAGE +Robert Fulton 7 + +Eli Whitney 41 + +Samuel Morse 79 + +Peter Cooper 121 + +Thomas A. Edison 147 + + + + + [Illustration: FULTON.] + + + + +ROBERT FULTON. + + +This story is about a giant. + +Do you believe in them? + +He peeps out of your coffee cup in the morning. + +He cheers you upon a cold day in winter. + +But the boys and girls were not so well acquainted with him a +hundred years ago. + +About that long ago, far to the north and east, a queer boy lived. + +He sat in his grandmother's kitchen many an hour, watching the +tea-kettle. + +He seemed to be idle. + +But he was really very busy. + +He was talking very earnestly to the giant. + +The giant was a prisoner. + +No one knew how to free him. + +Many had often tried to do this and failed. + +He was almost always invisible. + +But when he did appear, it was in the form of a very old man. + +This old man had long, white hair, and a beard which seemed to +enwrap him like a cloak--a cloak as white as snow. + +So his name is The White Giant. + +The boy's name was James Watt. + +He lived in far-away Scotland. + +He sat long, listening to the White Giant as he told him many +wonderful things. + +The way in which the giant first showed himself to James was very +strange. + +James noticed that the lid of the tea-kettle was acting very +strangely. + +It rose and fell, fluttered and danced. + +Now, James had lived all his life among people who believed in +witches and fairies. + +So he was watching for them. + +And he thought there was somebody in the kettle trying to get out. + +So he said, "Who are you and what do you want?" + +"Space, freedom, and something to do," cried the giant. + +"If you will only let me out, I'll work hard for you. + +I'll draw your carriages and ships. + +I'll lift all your weights. + +I'll turn all the wheels of your factories. + +I'll be your servant always, in a thousand other ways." + + [Illustration: JOHN FITCH'S STEAMBOAT, 1788. + By permission of Providence & Stonington Steamship Co.] + +If you have now guessed the common name of this giant, we will call +him Steam. + +At the time James Watt lived, there were no steam boats, steam +mills, nor railways. + +And this boy, though his grandmother scolded, thought much about the +giant in the tea-kettle. + +And he became the inventor of the first steam engine that was of any +use to the world. + +So, little by little, people came to know that steam is a great, +good giant. + +They tried in many different ways to make him useful. + +They wished very much to make him run a boat. + +One man tried to run his boat in a queer way. + +He made something like a duck's foot to push it through the water. + +Another moved his boat by forcing a stream of water in at the bow +and out at the stern. + +Then came a man named John Fitch. + +He made his engine run a number of oars so as to paddle the boat +forward. + +He grew very poor. + +People laughed at him. + +But he said, "When I shall be forgotten, steam boats will run up the +rivers and across the seas." + +Then people laughed the harder and called him "a crank." + +Mr. Fitch's boat was tried in 1787. + +Now, in 1765, there happened a good thing for this old world. + +A little baby boy was born in that year. + +Perhaps you wonder why it was such a good thing for the world. + +Some of you will know why when you read that this baby's name was +Robert Fulton. + +His father was poor. + +His father was a farmer in Pennsylvania. + +Mr. Fulton had two little girls older than baby Robert. + +When Robert was grown larger he had three sisters and one brother. + +But their father died when they were all small. + +Robert did not go to school till he was eight years old. + +His mother taught him at home. + +He knew how to read and write, and a very little arithmetic. + +His first teacher was a Mr. Johnson. + +Mr. Johnson was a Quaker. + +He thought Robert a dull pupil. + +Robert did not learn his lessons very well. + +But Mr. Johnson soon found that he was never idle. + +He did not care to play at recess. + +He stayed in and used his pencil in drawing. + +He often spent hours in this way. + +Robert soon became fond of going into the machine shops. + +He understood machinery very quickly. + +The men always gave him a welcome. + +He didn't get into mischief. + +He often helped the men with his neat drawings. + +One day Robert was late in getting to school. + +The master asked the reason. + +Robert answered that he had been in Mr. Miller's shop pounding out +lead for a lead pencil. + +Mr. Johnson then encouraged him in doing such useful things. + +In a few days, all the pupils in the school had pencils made in that +way. + +Mr. Johnson urged Robert to give more attention to his studies. + +Robert said, "My head is so full of thoughts of my own that I +haven't room there for the thoughts from dusty books." + +As he was not idle, no doubt this was true. + +When Robert was thirteen, the boys in the town had a great +disappointment. + +It was nearly July. + +Of course the boys expected to celebrate the Fourth. + +But a notice was put up. + +This notice urged the people not to illuminate their homes. + +It was very warm weather. + +The people then had only candles with which to light their homes. + +Candles were very scarce. + +But Robert had some. + +He took them to a shop and exchanged them for powder. + +The owner of the store asked him why he gave up the candles, which +were so scarce and dear. + +Robert said, "I am a good citizen, and if our officers do not wish +us to illuminate the town, I shall respect their wishes." + +He found some pieces of paste-board. + +He rolled these himself. + +In this way he made some rockets. + +The store-keeper told him he would find it impossible to do this. + +"No, sir," Robert answered, "there is nothing impossible." + +His rockets were a success, and the people were astonished. + +Robert bought at different times small quantities of quicksilver. + +The men in the machine shops were curious to know what he did with +it. + +But they could not find out. + +For this reason they called him "Quicksilver Bob." + +Robert was interested in guns. + +Sometimes he would tell the workmen how to improve them. + +The men liked him so well that they were always willing to try +whatever he advised. + +Robert was fond of fishing. + +One of the workmen often went fishing with his father. + +This man sometimes took Robert. + +They had only an old flat boat. + +The boys had to pole the boat from place to place. + +It was hard work. + +They were sometimes very tired. + +Robert, soon after one fishing excursion, went away to visit an +aunt. + +He was gone a week. + +While away he made a complete model of a little fishing boat. + +This boat had paddle wheels. + +The model was placed in the garret. + +Many years afterward his aunt was proud to have it as an ornament on +her parlor table. + +Of course the boys arranged a set of paddle wheels for their fishing +boat. + +After this they enjoyed their fishing much more than before. + +Robert Fulton's boyhood was during the Revolutionary War. + +He made many queer pictures of the Hessian soldiers. + +These Hessians were Germans, who had been hired by the British to +help them fight the Americans. + +The people who wished our country to belong to England were called +Tories. + +Those who wished America to be free were called Whigs. + +The Whig boys often fought the Tory boys on the soldiers' camp +ground. + +The soldiers grew tired of this. + +They stretched a rope to keep the boys out. + +Robert drew a picture in which the Whigs crossed the rope and +whipped the Tories. + +The boys all thought it a good picture. + +So they tried to make it real. + +They became so troublesome that the town officers had to interfere. + +But Robert was all this time fast growing up. + +He had to choose some way of taking care of himself. + +He was more fond of his pencil and brush than of anything else. + +Near his home, had lived a celebrated painter. + +His name was Benjamin West. + +Benjamin West's father and Robert's father had been great friends. + +Mr. West had become famous. + +He now lived in England. + +Robert thought he would like to be an artist, too. + +So he left his home and went to the city of Philadelphia. + +He knew that it meant hard work. + +He was industrious and pains-taking. + +He had many friends. + +Benjamin Franklin was one of his friends. + +Soon he did very nice work. + +In the four years after he was seventeen, he not only took care of +himself, but sent money to his mother and sisters. + +He spent his twenty-first birthday at home. + +He had then earned enough money to buy a small farm for his mother. + +For this farm he paid four hundred dollars. + +He helped his family to get nicely settled in their new home. + +Then he went back to Philadelphia. + +At this time Mr. Fulton, as we must now call him, was not well. + +Partly for this reason he decided to take a voyage to Europe. + +He carried letters from many well-known Americans. + +He found friends in Europe. + +Benjamin West was kind to him there. + + [Illustration: A CANAL SCENE.] + +He soon had plenty of work to do. + +One of his friends was an English gentleman, who was called the Earl +of Stanhope. + +The Earl was much interested in canals. + +Canals, you probably know, are artificial rivers. + +Boats are drawn on them by horses, which walk along a path on the +shore. + +The path is called the tow-path. + +Railways were almost unknown then. + +So canals were very useful in carrying goods across the country. + +They had been in use in Europe and Asia for hundreds of years. + +Mr. Fulton invented a double inclined-plane. + +This could be used in raising and lowering canal boats without +disturbing their cargoes. + +The British government gave Mr. Fulton a patent upon it. + +Mr. Fulton wrote a book about canals and the ways in which they help +a country. + +He sent copies of this book to the President of the United States, +and other men in high offices. + +He thought canals would help America. + +But it was ten years before he could get people to think much about +it. + +Then Mr. Fulton helped in planning the Erie Canal. + +This was very successful. + +You can see this canal now. + +It is in the State of New York and is still used. + +Mr. Fulton planned a cast-iron aqueduct which was built in Scotland. + +An aqueduct is often made to carry water to cities. + +He invented a mill for sawing marble, a machine for spinning flax, +another for scooping out earth, called a dredging machine, and +several kinds of canal boats. + +You will wonder before reaching the end of this story how one man +could do so many things. + +But you must remember that he was never lazy as a boy, and so +learned to make good use of every moment. + +In 1797, Mr. Fulton went to the greatest city in France, called +Paris. + +There he made a new friend. + +This was Joel Barlow, an American and a poet. + +Mr. Fulton thought that all ships should have the freedom of the +ocean. + +He thought it would take hundreds of years to get all nations to +consent to this. + +He believed that he could find a quicker way. + +He thought it would be best to blow up all warships. + +He made a little sub-marine boat. + +Sub-marine means under the sea. + +This boat could be lowered below the surface of the water. + +He found a way to supply it with air. + +But he could not get it to run swiftly. + +It took much money to build such boats. + +He tried to get the French government to help him. + +He was often tired and disappointed. + +But he never stopped trying. + +He tried to destroy some large boats. + +This was to be done with torpedoes. + +But he was not very successful. + +He succeeded in destroying one boat. + +But since then others have carried out his plan, and torpedoes are +often used in war. + +This little story is told of Mr. Fulton:-- + +He was once in New York working upon his torpedoes. + +He invited the Mayor and many others to hear him lecture. + +They came and were all much interested. + +He showed them the copper cylinders which were to hold the powder. + +Then he showed them the clockwork, which, when it was set running, +would cause the cylinders to explode. + +He turned to a case and drew out a peg. + +He then said, "Gentlemen, this torpedo is all ready to blow up a +vessel. + +It contains one hundred and seventy pounds of powder. + +The clockwork is now running. + +If I should allow it to run fifteen minutes it would blow us all to +atoms." + +His audience was much frightened. + +They all ran away. + +Mr. Fulton put the peg back in its place. + +He told them it was then safe. + +Not until then did they dare come back. + +But now our giant, Steam, became the friend of Mr. Fulton. + +Many had tried to put this giant to work. + +But at first he seemed rather hard to teach. + +Long before, a poet had written these lines, which show how much +people hoped to make the giant do:-- + + "Soon shall thy arm, unconquered Steam, afar + Drag the slow barge, or drive the rapid car." + +It was a true prophecy. + +Mr. Fulton married the daughter of a Mr. Walter Livingston. + +This Mr. Livingston had a relative who was a great man, and a rich +man. + +He was much interested in all inventions. + +He often helped inventors with his money. + +He had long believed that boats could be moved by steam. + +At one time the state of New York gave him the right of all steam +boats for twenty years. + +He was given the right if he would get one steam boat running within +a year. + +But the year passed and the boat was not built. + +Everybody made fun of his "grand rights." + +At this time our government made him our minister to France. + +There he met Robert Fulton for the first time. + +And in Paris Mr. Livingston and Mr. Fulton made a steam boat. + +When it was finished they invited their friends to come and see it +tried. + +Early upon the morning when they hoped to succeed, a messenger came. + +He bore sad news. + +The new boat had broken in two. + +The machinery was too heavy for it. + +It had sunk to the bottom of the river Seine. + +Mr. Fulton had not had his breakfast. + +He hurried to the river. + +He worked standing in the cold water. + +In twenty-four hours he had saved the machinery, and some other +parts of the boat. + +But it made him ill. + +He never was so strong again. + +Of course he felt greatly discouraged. + +They went to work again. + +They built another boat. + +This was a success. + +It was sixty-six feet long, and moved by wheels on the side. + +Mr. Livingston and Mr. Fulton decided to try again in America upon +the Hudson River. + +Mr. Livingston was given again the same privileges by the State of +New York. + +But this time Mr. Fulton was his partner. + +They were given two years in which to make their boat. + +They were to make one which could go four miles an hour. + +It took much money. + +Mr. Fulton promised to ask only a certain sum of Mr. Livingston. + +But this sum proved to be too small. + +He went to see a friend. + +He talked long and earnestly to him. + +But the friend grew tired and told him he must go home or go to bed. + +Mr. Fulton wanted one thousand dollars. + +His friend said he would see him again. + + [Illustration: THE ERUCTOR AMPHIBOLIS. + A COMBINED STEAMBOAT AND LOCOMOTIVE CONSTRUCTED BY OLIVER EVANS + A NATIVE OF NEWPORT, DELAWARE, IN 1804.] + + [Illustration: PERSPECTIVE VIEW OF MACHINERY IN FULTON'S + CLERMONT. + By permission of Providence & Stonington Steamship Co.] + +Mr. Fulton came again before the poor man had had any breakfast. + +He gave him no peace. + +But he got his money at last. + +Mr. Fulton was much laughed at for trying to make such a boat. + +The boat was called by people, "Fulton's Folly." + +His friends would listen politely to him. + +But he said he knew they did not believe in him. + +He often, as he walked about, heard people laugh and sneer at him. + +But at last the boat was done. + +The sun rose smiling on that August morning. + +The world was enjoying its morning nap. + +Only a few people were on the shores. + +Gracefully the boat was moved from the Jersey shore. + + [Illustration: THE CLERMONT, 1807 + By permission of Providence & Stonington Steamship Co.] + +Those who saw were amazed. + +Old sailors were frightened. + +When they saw a boat with no sails, they thought it an evil spirit. + +But the long line of black smoke which they saw was only the breath +of the dear old giant, Steam. + +At last he had something to do. + +This boat was called the Clermont. + +It passed the city of New York. + +It passed the beautiful Highlands of the Hudson. + +It puffed patiently on until it reached Albany. + +All along the shores people watched it breathlessly. + +Everybody stopped sneering and cheered. + +The Clermont had gone one hundred and fifty miles in thirty-two +hours. + +Except that the ocean steamships are larger, handsomer, and more +finely finished, they are much like Mr. Fulton's Clermont. + +Who can doubt Mr. Fulton's joy at his success. + +At last he had found a way to make all nations know each other. + +Mr. Fulton had other troubles after this. + +Wicked people tried to steal his invention from him. + +But no one else has ever been given credit for it. + +Everyone who tried a ride upon the boat found it much nicer than +jolting along in a stage coach. + +In two years a regular line of boats was running between the great +city of New York and its capital city. + +Mr. Fulton built other boats. + +Some of them were ferry-boats. + + [Illustration: BROOKLYN BRIDGE AND FULTON FERRY.] + +A ferry from New York to Long Island is still called by his name, +Fulton Ferry. + +Do you suppose the thousands of people who cross by it, ever think +of patient, industrious, hard-working, Robert Fulton? + +In January, 1815, Mr. Fulton went to Trenton, New Jersey, as witness +in a lawsuit. + +The weather was very severe. + +Mr. Fulton became much chilled. + +In coming back his boat was caught in the ice. + +It was several hours before it could be moved. + +You remember Mr. Fulton was not very strong. + +He was ill for several days. + +He was very anxious about a boat which he was building. + +He left his bed too soon. + +He was then taken very ill indeed. + +And upon the twenty-fourth of February, 1815, the world lost this +great man. + +Everyone mourned his loss. + +The great city of New York was in mourning. + +He was buried in the Livingston vault in Trinity Churchyard, New +York. + +No monument has ever been raised over this great man. + +But the boats which every year ply back and forth upon lake, river, +and ocean, are constant reminders of his great work for the world. + + + + + [Illustration: ELI WHITNEY.] + + + + +ELI WHITNEY. + + +The war, called the Revolution, was ended. + +The treaty of peace had been signed. + +America had won her freedom. + +Our country then was smaller than now. + +It contained only about four million people. + +These people were widely scattered. + +The world did not think of the United States as an important +country. + +It was thought to be about as important as Denmark or Portugal is +now. + +We call one part of our country the South. + +The South of this time was very different from the South of to-day. + +Fewer cities were to be seen. + +Many forests covered the land. + +The plantations were few. + +Plantation is the southern word for farm. + +There were not many slaves then. + +People hoped slavery would die out. + +They thought it might if it were let alone. + +Many people left the South to find other homes. + +This was because they could not make a good living there. + +Indigo, rice, and cotton were raised. + +But only a little cotton was planted. + +This was because it was such hard work to get it ready to sell. + +Cotton grows upon a small shrub. + +People of olden times called it the "wool of trees." + +The Germans still call it "tree-wool." + +One kind is called "sea-island" cotton. + +This is because it grows well upon the low, sandy islands of the +sea. + +Some such islands are found near South Carolina. + +This cotton likes the salt which it finds in the soil. + +The herb cotton grows to a height of from eighteen to twenty-four +inches. + +The land is made ready for the seed during the winter. + +As soon as the frost is gone Mother Earth is given her baby seeds to +care for. + +Soon the beautiful plantlets appear. + +The leaves are of a dark green. + +Then later come the pale yellow flowers. + +The plants must then be well cared for. + +Toward autumn the fruit is seen. + +This looks like a walnut still in its rough coat. + + [Illustration: COTTON BALLS.] + +Then the pods burst. + +The field is then beautiful. + +It looks as if it were covered with snow. + +Then comes the hard work of the picking. + +All hands upon the plantation must then work in the fields. + +The slaves of long ago were kept very busy during this season. + +The women and children worked. + +They have to be careful that the cotton is quite dry when picked. + +If it were damp the cotton would mould. + +This would spoil it for use. + +Can you imagine a snow-white field dotted with black people? + +Their bright eyes must have shone still more brightly there. + +The cotton does not all ripen at one time. + +But it must be gathered soon after the pods are burst. + + [Illustration] + +This is because the sun injures the color of the cotton. + +Or the rain and dews injure it. + +Or the winds may blow it away. + +So the cotton pickers were kept busy from August until the frost +came. + +They went over the same fields many times. + +Then, after a busy day in the field, other work remained to be done. + +The cotton pickers sat upon the ground in a circle. + +From the midst of the cotton they took the black seeds. + +These seeds were very troublesome. + +They are covered with hairs. + +They cling fast to the cotton. + +These naughty children of the plant love their mother. + +So fast do they cling to her, that a person could clean but one +pound of cotton in a whole day. + +So you may understand why so little was raised. + +In 1784, eight bags of cotton were taken from the United States to +England. + +These were seized by the custom officers. + +These officers are those who look after goods sent in or out of a +country. + +If money is to be paid upon the goods, it is called a duty. + +The custom officers must see that the duty is paid. + +These men said that this cotton could not have come from America. + +During the next two years less than one hundred-twenty bags were +sent there from our country. + +The treaty of peace with England was made in 1794. + +None of the treaty-makers then knew that any cotton was raised in +America. + +Would you like to know why, fifty years later, a million bales were +sent from America? + +This is the story: + +In the war with England, America had some brave generals. + +One of these was General Nathaniel Greene. + +He had helped to win victories in the South. + +The State of Georgia gave him a tract of land. + +General Greene lived with his family upon this land. + +He at last died there. + +Mrs. Greene was very lonely. + +She went to the North to visit her friends. + +On her voyage home she met a pleasant gentleman. + +He was a young man, only twenty-seven years of age. + +He, too, was going to Georgia. + +His name was Eli Whitney. + +And now you must know something of his story. + +Eli Whitney was born in Massachusetts in 1765. + +His people were farmers. + +They were not rich people. + +Eli's father had a workshop. + +In this shop he worked upon rainy days. + +He made wheels and chairs. + +Eli grew up like other farm boys. + +He helped on the farm. + +He attended the district school. + +He took care of the cattle and horses. + +But very early in his life he became fond of tools. + +He used to creep into his father's shop. + +He could scarcely wait to be old enough to use the tools there. + +One of the interesting tools was a lathe for turning chair posts. + +His father allowed him the use of all these as soon as he was large +enough to take care of them. + +After that, he was always at work at something. + +He liked work in the shop much more than work upon the farm. + +Eli's mother died when he was a little boy. + +This is a sad event in any boy's life. + +When Eli was about twelve years old, his father took a journey from +home. + +He was gone two or three days. + +When he returned, he called the housekeeper. + +He asked her what the boys had been doing. + +She told him what the elder boys had done. + +"But what has Eli been doing?" said he. + +"He has been making a fiddle," was the answer. + +"Ah!" said the father, "I fear Eli will take his portion in +fiddles." + +The fiddle was finished like a common violin. + +It made pretty good music. + +Many people came to see it. + +They said it was a fine piece of work for a boy. + +Afterwards people brought him their violins to mend. + +He did the mending nicely. + +Every one was surprised. + +They brought him other work to do. + +Eli's father had a nice watch. + +Eli loved to look at it. + +It was a great wonder to him. + +He wished to see the inside of it. + +His father would not allow this. + +One Sunday the family were getting ready for church. + +Eli noticed that his father intended leaving his watch at home. + +He could not lose such a good chance. + +So he pretended to be quite sick. + +His father allowed him to stay at home. + +Soon he was alone with the wonderful little watch. + +He hurried to the room where it hung. + +He took it down carefully. + +His hands shook, but he managed to open it. + +How delightful was the motion of those wheels! + +It seemed a living thing. + +Eli forgot his father. + +He thought only of the wonderful machinery. + +He must know just how it went. + +He took the watch all to pieces before he remembered how wrong it +was to do so. + +Then he began to be frightened. + +What if he couldn't put it together! + +He knew his father was a very stern man. + +Slowly and carefully the boy went to work. + +And so bright was he that he succeeded in getting it together all +right. + +His father did not find out the mischief. + +Several years afterward Eli told him about it. + +When Eli was thirteen years old his father married a second time. + +Eli's stepmother had a handsome set of table knives. + +She valued them highly. + +One day Eli said, "I could make as good knives as those if I had +tools. + +"And I could make the tools if I had common tools to begin with." + +His mother laughed at him. + +But soon after one of the knives was broken. + +Eli made a blade exactly like the broken one, except its stamp. + +Soon Eli was fifteen years of age. + +He wished to go into the nail-making business. + +It was during the Revolution. + +Nails were made almost entirely by hand. + +They were in great demand. + +They brought good prices. + +Eli asked his father to bring him a few tools. + +His father consented. + +The work was begun. + +Eli was very industrious. + +He made good nails. + +He also found time to make more tools for his own use. + +He put in knife blades. + +He repaired broken machinery. + +He did many other things beyond the skill of country workmen. + +Eli worked in this way two winters. + +He made money. + +He worked on the farm in the summer. + +At one time Eli took a journey of forty miles. + +He visited every workshop on the way. + +These visits taught him much. + +He found a man who could go back with him and help him in his +business. + +At the close of the war it did not pay to go on with the +nail-making. + +The ladies began a new fashion about that time. + +This was the use of long pins for fastening on their bonnets. + +He made very nearly all the pins used. + +Eli made these pins with great skill. + +This work was done in the time spared from his farm work. + +He also made excellent walking canes. + +During all these years Eli's schooling had been received at +different times at the district school. + +He was very fond of arithmetic. + +During his nineteenth year he made up his mind to have a college +education. + +His step-mother did not wish him to do this. + +But he worked hard and saved his money. + +A part of the time he taught school. + +He was twenty-three when he entered Yale College. + +He borrowed some money, for which he gave his note. + +At one time one of the college teachers wished to show his pupils +some experiments. But some of the things to be used were broken. + +Eli offered to mend them. + +This he did, and succeeded in surprising every one. + +A carpenter lived near his boarding place. + +Eli asked for the loan of some of his tools. + +The careful carpenter did not wish to lend them. + +He at last gave his consent in this way:-- + +The gentleman with whom Mr. Whitney boarded must promise to pay all +the damages. + +But he soon saw how skilful Mr. Whitney was. + +He was surprised and said: + +"There was one good mechanic spoiled when you went to college." + +Mr. Whitney graduated in 1792. + +He was engaged by a gentleman in Georgia to teach his children. + +It was on this journey to his new work that he met Mrs. Greene. + +Mrs. Greene liked Mr. Whitney very much. + +When they reached Savannah, she invited him to her home. + +At this time he had a great disappointment. + +The gentleman who had hired him to come to Georgia coolly told him +his services were not wanted. + +He had no friends. + +He was out of money. + +But Mrs. Greene became his good friend. + +He went to live at her house. + +Here he began the study of law. + +Mrs. Greene was one day doing some embroidery. + +She broke the frame upon which she was working. + +She did not know how to finish the work without it. + +Mr. Whitney looked at it carefully. + +Then he made her a new frame. + +It was even better than the other one had been. + +Of course Mrs. Greene was much pleased. + +Mr. Whitney also made fine toys for the children. + +Soon after this, a party of gentlemen visited at Mrs. Greene's home. + +They were nearly all men who had been officers during the war. + +Mr. Greene had been their general. + +They began talking of the South. + +They wished something might be done to improve that part of the +country. + +They wished it might be made a better place in which to live. + +They spoke of the fine spinning machines that were coming into use +in England. + +Much land in the South could be used for cotton. + +This could be sent to England for manufacture. + +The South could become a rich country in this way. + +But there was one great difficulty. + +It cost so much to clean the cotton. + +Mrs. Greene said, "I know who can help you. + +"Apply to my young friend, Mr. Whitney. He can make anything." + +She then showed the gentlemen her frame and other things which Mr. +Whitney had made. + +Mr. Whitney said he had never seen cotton or its seed. + +None was raised near the home of the Greene's. + +Mr. Whitney did not make any promises. + +But the next day he went to work. + +He went first to the city of Savannah. + +There he searched among the warehouses and boats. + +At last he found a small parcel of cotton. + +This he carried home. + +He shut himself up in a small basement room. + +His tools were poor. + +He made better ones. + +No wire could be bought in Savannah. + +So he made his own wire. + +Mrs. Greene and a Mr. Miller were the only persons allowed to come +into his work-shop. + +Day after day the children wondered to hear the queer clinking and +hammering. + +They laughed at Mr. Whitney. + +But that did not trouble him. + +Before the end of the winter the machine was nearly perfect. + +Its success seemed certain. + +Mrs. Greene was very happy over the work. + +She was eager that people should know about this wonderful +invention. + +She could not wait until a patent was secured. + +A patent is given by the government. + +It is given to prevent others from claiming an invention. + +Often it keeps people from manufacturing the article without the +permission of the owner. + +So Mrs. Green invited a party of gentlemen from all parts of the +state to visit her. + +These gentlemen were taken to see the machine do its work. + +They were greatly astonished. + +For what did they see? + +This curious little machine cleaned the cotton of its seed. + +And it would clean in a day more than a man could do in months. + +They went to their homes. + +They told everybody about it. + +Great crowds began coming to see it. + +But they were refused permission to do so. + +This was because it had not yet been patented. + +So one night some wicked men broke into the building. + +They stole the cotton-gin. + +You can well imagine how dreadful this was. + +Mr. Whitney had no money. + +So Mr. Miller agreed to be his partner. + +Mr. Miller had come to Georgia from the North. + +He, too, was a graduate of Yale College. + +He afterward married Mrs. Greene. + +He became Mr. Whitney's partner in May, 1773. + +Perhaps you wonder why the machine was called a gin. It was a short +way of saying engine. + +A gin is a machine that aids the work of a person. + +The cotton-gin was made to work much the same as the hand of a +person. + +It dragged the cotton away from the seed. + +And now begins the sorrowful part of the story. + +Before Mr. Whitney could get his patent, several other gins had been +made. + +Each claimed to be the best. + +The plans were all stolen from Mr. Whitney's. + + [Illustration: ROLLER-GIN.] + +One was the roller-gin. + +This crushed the seed in the cotton. + +Of course this injured the cotton. + +Another was the saw-gin. + +This was exactly like Mr. Whitney's, except that the saws were set +differently. + +Many lawsuits were begun. + +Mr. Whitney went to Connecticut. + +There he had a shop for making the gins. + +When the suits began he had to return to Georgia. + +In this way two years went by. + +By this time everyone knew the value of the gin. + +Mr. Whitney went to New York. + +There he became ill. + +His illness lasted three weeks. + +Then he was able to go on to New Haven. + + [Illustration: SAW-GIN, 1794.] + +There he found that his shop had been destroyed by fire. + +All his machines and papers were burned. + +He was four thousand dollars in debt. + +But neither Mr. Miller nor Mr. Whitney were the kind of men who give +up easily. + +Mr. Miller wrote that he would give all his time, thought, labor, +and all the money he could borrow to help. + +"It shall never be said that we gave up when a little perseverance +would have carried us through," he said. + +About this time bad news came from England. + +The cotton, you remember, was then all sent there for manufacture. + +English manufacturers now claimed that the cotton was injured by the +gin. + +This was in 1796. + +Miller and Whitney had thirty gins working in different places in +Georgia. + +Some were worked by cattle and horses. + +Others were run by water. + +Soon, however, the manufacturers found that the Whitney cotton gin +did not injure the cotton. + +The first lawsuit was decided against Miller and Whitney. + +They asked for another trial. + +But this was refused them. + +Everywhere through the South they were cheated and robbed. + +Yet all the time the South was growing richer because of the cotton +gin. + +Slaves grew more and more valuable. + +For negroes can endure the heat of the cotton fields. + +But white men can not. + +The planters of the South bought more and more slaves. + +So slavery grew stronger because of the cotton gin. + +Several states made contracts with Mr. Whitney. + +They agreed to pay him certain sums of money. + +But South Carolina broke her contract. + +All these things made Mr. Whitney sick at heart. + +He said that he had tried hard to do right by every one. + +And it stung him to the very soul to be treated like a swindler or a +villain. + +The people of Georgia tried to prove that somebody in Switzerland +had invented the cotton gin. + +Tennessee broke its contract. + +There were high-minded men who tried to help Mr. Whitney. + +They were able to do only a little for him. + +In 1803, Mr. Miller died. + +Mr. Whitney was then left to fight his battles alone. + +Things grew a little brighter as time went on. + +Mr. Whitney received some money on his invention. + +But the greater part of it had to be spent in lawsuits. + +A suit was begun in the United States Court. + +But the time of his patent was almost out. + +He had made six journeys to Georgia. + +One gentleman said that he never knew another man so persevering. + +In 1798, Mr. Whitney made a contract with the government of the +United States. + +By this contract he was to manufacture fire-arms. + +He established his factory near New Haven. + +The place is now called Whitneyville. + +It is a beautiful place. + +A waterfall furnished the power to run his machinery. + +Here Mr. Whitney worked hard. + +He had machinery to make. + +He had to teach his own workmen. + +For eight years he worked to fill this contract. + +He arose as soon as day appeared. + +Look in any part of the factory you might, you would see something +which he, himself had done. + +He improved many tools. + +He made better guns than had ever been made. + +So that for these things, too, our country is indebted to Mr. +Whitney. + +In 1812, he made new contracts. + +Another war with England began in that year. + +Mr. Whitney's guns never failed to be all right. + +Other men took contracts of the same kind. + +But their guns were failures. + +Mr. Calhoun, the Secretary of War, said to Mr. Whitney, "You are +saving your country seventy-five thousand dollars a year." + +This was by his improvements in fire-arms. + +Mr. Whitney tried to get the government to extend the time of the +patent upon the cotton-gin. + +But this was refused. + +That did not seem very grateful, did it? + +Robert Fulton, the inventor of the first steamboat, was his friend. + +They had many troubles in common. + +Mr. Whitney's last days were his happiest days. + +Such patience, perseverance, and skill must count in the long run. + +His factory made him quite a rich man. + +Some of the southern states showed their gratitude. + +In 1817, Mr. Whitney married Miss Edwards of Connecticut. + +He had a son and three daughters. + +The people of New Haven respected him. + +They gave him great honor. + +He died on January 8, 1825. + +The little cotton-gin had done a great work. + +The sunny South was covered with beautiful plantations. + +The cotton fields shone in the sunlight. + + [Illustration] + +Riches were beginning to fill the pockets of the planters. + +Only one blight remained upon the land. + +This was the dreadful system of slavery. + +And that, too, has been destroyed. + +We wish that Mr. Whitney might see the South of to-day. + +He did not live to know how great a curse slavery might be. + +He did not foresee that his cotton-gin might help to cause a great +war. + +Yet the blue and the gray fought and died. + +The blood of many a hero stained a southern field. + +All this that the cotton-pickers might be free! + +All this that our country might be truly "the land of the free and +the home of the brave!" + + + + + [Illustration: S.F.B. MORSE.] + + + + +SAMUEL FINLEY BREESE MORSE. + + +If everything were now as it was in 1791, what a queer place this +world of ours would be to us! + +A hundred years ago! + +Suppose we imagine ourselves living in the year 1800. + +The railroads then were very few and poor. + +"Fulton's Folly," the first steamboat, had not yet frightened the +sailors in New York Harbor, with its long line of black smoke. + +Lighting by means of gas was yet unknown. + +Electric lights were not even dreamed of. + +Even kerosene, which we think makes so poor a light, was then +unused. + +So there are many, many things, common and useful to us now, which +were unknown to the world in 1800. + +You have heard of the giant, Steam. + +There is yet another giant which God has placed in the world for +man's use. + +This is Electricity. + +Is it not strange that this great power should have been so long +unused in the world? + +Boys and girls can understand how useful this power now is. + +So you will be interested in knowing something of the man who helped +to introduce to the world this great giant, electricity. + +The baby who was given this long name, Samuel Finley Breese Morse, +was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts. + +The date of his birth was April 27, 1791. + +He was called Samuel Finley for his great-grandfather. + +His mother's name, as a girl, was Elizabeth Breese. + +You will see that he won fame enough to cover each and every one of +these names. + +Finley Morse had, as he grew older, two brothers younger than +himself. + +Their names were Sidney E. Morse, and Richard Cary Morse. + +Finley was sent first to an old lady's school. + +He was but four years old when he started. + +The school was very near his home. + +The school mistress was known as, "Old Ma'am Rand." + +She was an invalid and unable to leave her chair. + +So she had a long rattan. + +When the children did not mind, she could, with her long rattan, +reach them at the further side of the room. + +One punishment of Mrs. Rand's was to pin a naughty child to her +dress. + +As early as this part of his life, Finley Morse tried his hand at +drawing. + +He drew Mrs. Rand's picture upon a chest of drawers. + +Instead of a pencil he used a pin. + +So Mrs. Rand pinned him to her dress. + +Of course he did not like that. + +He tried to get away. + +This tore the dress. + +Then Mrs. Rand had to use her rattan. + +When seven years of age Finley was sent to school at Andover. + +He went to Phillip's Academy. + +While there the father wrote letters to his boy. + +He gave his boy good advice. + +He told him about George Washington. + +He also told him about another great man. + +This man was a statesman of Holland. + +He did all the business for that republic. + +Yet he had time to go to evening amusements. + +Some one asked this statesman how he did this. + +He said there was nothing so easy, for that it was only doing one +thing at a time, and never putting off anything until to-morrow that +could be done to-day. + +Finley's parents were always kind to him. + +He soon became a manly boy. + +He was the kind of boy who seemed to know that he must one day be a +man. + +So he worked hard at school. + +He began early to think and act for himself. + +When he was but thirteen he wrote a sketch of the "Life of +Demosthenes." + +He sent it to his father. + +This his father kept carefully. + +It showed the genius, learning and taste of his boy. + +This bright boy was ready for college at the age of fourteen. + +But his father thought it best to keep him at home for a year. + +Finley, when a boy, was always fond of drawing. + +When but fifteen, he painted a fairly good picture in water colors. + +This represented a room in his father's house. + +His father, his two brothers and himself stood by a table. + +His mother sat in a chair. + +On the table was a globe, at which they were all looking. + +His room at college was covered with pictures of his own making. + +One of these was called, "Freshmen Climbing the Hill of Science." + +The poor fellows were scrambling to the top of a hill on their hands +and knees. + +Finley had taken no lessons in art, yet he drew many portraits. + +The other boys were all delighted to have their pictures drawn by +him. + +They paid him a dollar apiece. + +This kept him in spending money. + +He also painted upon ivory. + +For these he had five dollars each. + +So, when Finley Morse graduated from Yale college, he was more fond +of drawing and painting than of anything else. + +Finley at this time was a fine looking boy. + +He had a pleasant smile. + +He was always courteous. + +Every one liked him. + +He was as fond of a frolic as any one. + +At one time the college cooks did not do their work to suit the +boys. + +So the boys gave them a mock trial. + +They sent a report of the trial to the college president. + +The bad cooks were dismissed. + +Afterwards the boys had better things to eat. + +At another time the boys went to a paper mill near by. + +They bought a great quantity of paper. + +This they made into a baloon. + +It was eighteen feet in length. + +They filled it with air, and sent it on its journey. + +It sailed finely, and soon was out of sight. + +They tried it again. + +The second time it took fire and was soon nothing but ashes. + +About this time Finley heard his first lecture upon electricity. + +After graduating, he returned to his father's house in Charlestown. + +There he wrote a letter to his brothers with a queer kind of ink. + +The writing did not show at all until heated by fire. + +His brothers had to write to him to find out how to read it. + +About this time Finley made a new friend. + +This friend was Washington Allston. + +Mr. Allston was a great painter. + +He learned to love Finley Morse. + +Mr. Allston spent most of his time in London. + +Finley begged his people to allow him to go to London with Mr. +Allston. + +They finally gave their consent. + +So Mr. Morse made his first voyage across the Atlantic. + +They landed at Liverpool. + +They had to go from there to London in a stage coach. + +As soon as he arrived he wrote to his parents. + +In his letter he said that he wished they could hear from each other +in an instant. + +"But three thousand miles are not passed over in an instant. + +So we must wait four long weeks before we can hear from each other +again." + +Even then he longed for a telegraph. + +In London he had the help of another great artist. + +This was Benjamin West. + +He, too, was an American. + +Mr. Morse wished to become a student in the Royal Academy. + +He had to make a drawing of Hercules. + +Hercules, you know, was one of the heroes of early Greece. + +The story is that he did very many brave deeds. + +Finley's drawing was to be taken to Mr. West. + +He worked very hard upon it for two weeks. + +Then he went to Mr. West with it. + +Mr. West said, "Very well, sir, very well; go on and finish it." + +"It is finished," replied Finley. + +"Oh, no," said Mr. West. "Look here, and here, and here." + +So, when the mistakes were pointed out, Finley saw them. + +He took the drawing home and worked patiently for another week. + +Then he brought it to Mr. West again. + +Mr. West handed it back to Mr. Morse, saying: + +"Very well indeed, sir. Go on and finish it." + +"Is it not finished?" said Mr. Morse, for he was almost discouraged. + +"See," said Mr. West, "you have not marked this muscle nor that +finger joint." + +So another three days were spent on the drawing. + +Again it was taken back. + +"Very clever indeed," said Mr. West, "very clever. Now go on and +finish it." + +"I cannot finish it," replied Mr. Morse. + +Then the old man patted him on the shoulder and said: + +"Well, I have tried you long enough. + +"Now, sir, you have learned more by this drawing than you would have +learned in double the time by a dozen half finished drawings. + +"Finish one picture, sir, and you are a painter." + +Mr. Morse took this good advice. + +He went to work upon a large picture. + +It was a picture of the "Dying Hercules." + +He first modeled his picture in clay. + +This he did so well that he received a gold medal for it. This was +on May 13, 1813. + +His picture, too, was given great praise. + +It was counted as one of the twelve best among the two thousand +pictures. + +So Mr. Morse went on patiently and carefully in this work. + +He made many good friends in London. + +One of these friends was the poet, Coleridge. + +Mr. Morse was a great comfort to his parents. + +He was careful with his money. + +He and a young Mr. Leslie, lived and painted together. + +He spent all his money to get helps in his work. + +He visited all the picture galleries, and spent days in the study of +pictures. + +At this time England and America were at war. + +Americans were sometimes made prisoners and kept in the prisons of +England. + +Mr. Morse tried to help some of them. + +You have heard of the great French general, Napoleon. + +You know of the many wars he had. + +In 1815, Napoleon met his enemies, the English and Prussians. + +They had a battle at Waterloo. + +Napoleon was defeated. + +The people of England were anxious for news. + +But how slowly news came in those days! + +It took many days to carry the good tidings. + +The battle was fought on the 18th day of June. + +It was not until July that the news came of the victory of the +English general. + +Mr. Morse wrote about it to his parents. + +He told how anxiously the people had waited. + +Finally the people heard the booming of cannon. + +The bells were rung. + +People laughed and cried for joy. + +Would it not seem strange to us now to wait for our news so long? + +Yet the inventor of the telegraph had to wait often very long. + +But at last the time came for Mr. Morse to return to America. + +He sailed in August, 1815. + +He bore with him the good wishes of his many friends in London. + +He had a stormy voyage. + +A ship signaled his ship for help. + +The captain did not wish to send help. + +He said he had all he could do to attend to his own ship. + +Mr. Morse told him that, if he did not help them, he would publish +the facts when they reached America. + +So the captain thought better of it. + +He helped to save the ship. + +When he landed on his return Mr. Morse found that the people of +America had heard of him. + +They knew of the fine pictures he had painted. + +He was now but twenty-four years of age. + +He set up a studio in Boston. + +But the people of America were not as interested in art then as now. + +He waited many months for something to do. + +But nobody came for a picture. + +He left Boston almost penniless. + +Then he began painting portraits in different places. + +He received fifteen dollars for each portrait. + +He went to Concord, New Hampshire. + +There he met a beautiful young lady. + +Her name was Lucretia P. Walker. + +She had a very sweet temper. + +She always used good sense. + +Mr. Morse became more and more successful with his portraits. + +He received more money for them. + +He went on a journey to the South. + +There he found much to do. + +He made three thousand dollars. + +Then he came back to Concord. + +There he married Miss Walker. + +Mr. and Mrs. Morse lived for a few years in South Carolina. + +Then they came to New Haven, Connecticut. + +His father came to live with them there. + +Mr. Morse began to paint a great picture at Washington. + +It was called "The House of Representatives." + +Washington is the capital city of the United States. + +The picture, when finished, was very beautiful. + +It was sold at last to an Englishman. + +About this time a great friend of America visited Washington. + +Have you heard of General La Fayette? + +You can read what great things he did for our country. + +Every American loved him then. + +Even the people who live now, love his memory. + +Mr. Morse was engaged to paint the portrait of General La Fayette. + +He began the picture. + +Before he had finished, he received dreadful news from home. + +His loved wife had died very suddenly. + +He hastened home. + +It seemed too hard to bear. + +Not long afterwards he lost his father. + +He then went to live in New York. + +There he worked hard at his art. + +His artist friends made him president of their society. + +This was the National Academy. + +While in New York he heard some lectures about electricity. + +He thought about it and talked much with his friends. + +He wished to visit beautiful Italy. + +So, in 1829, he sailed for Europe. + +His friends there gave him a hearty welcome. + +He visited many cities. + +He met General La Fayette again. + +He visited him in his home. + +Mr. Morse had always been fond of inventions. + +He himself invented a pump at one time. + +At another, he tried his hand at making a machine for cutting +marble. + +He was always experimenting with colors, and other things used by +artists. + +The year 1832 had arrived. + +You will see, by and by, that it is a good date to remember. + +People knew almost nothing about speed in traveling. + +In that year the longest railroad was in the southern part of the +United States. + +It was one hundred thirty-five miles long. + +The next longer was in England. + +It was thirty miles long. + +The next was in Massachusetts. + +It was ten miles long. + +The mails were carried in coaches. + +On the first day of October, 1832, Mr. Morse sailed for America. + +The name of this ship was the "Sully." + +The passengers were much interested in some things which had lately +been found out about electricity. + +People had long known that lightning and electricity were the same. + +Signals had been made with electricity. + +But the thought which came to Mr. Morse had never entered the mind +of man before. + +He could think of nothing but a telegraph. + +He thought night and day. + +He seemed to see the end from the beginning. + +As he sat upon the deck of the ship after dinner, he drew out a +little note book. + +He began his plan in this little book. + +From the beginning he said, "If a message will go ten miles without +dropping, I can make it go around the globe." + +And he said this again and again during the years that came after. + +Sleep forsook him. + +But one morning at the breakfast table he announced his plan. + +He showed it to the passengers. + +And five years after, when the model was built, it was found to be +like the one shown that morning on board the ship "Sully." + + "The steed called Lightning (say the Fates) + Was tamed in the United States; + 'Twas Franklin's hand that caught the horse, + 'Twas harnessed by Professor Morse." + +Upon landing in America a long struggle began. + +For twelve long years, Mr. Morse worked to get people to notice his +invention. + + [Illustration: DIAGRAM SHOWING THE MORSE ALPHABET AND + ARRANGEMENT OF THE TELEGRAPH LINE.] + +It would take much money to construct a real telegraph. + +But money Mr. Morse did not have. + +He had three motherless children to provide for. + +He lived in a room in a fifth story of a building belonging to his +brothers. + +This room was his study, studio, bed chamber, parlor, kitchen, +drawing room and work shop. + +On one side of the room was his cot bed. + +On the other were his tools. + +He brought his simple food to his room at night. + +This he did, that no one might see how little he had to eat. + +He often gave lessons in painting. + +One pupil did not pay promptly. + +Mr. Morse asked to be paid. + +The pupil gave him ten dollars, asking if he would accept it. + +He said it would keep him from starving. + +He had had nothing to eat for twenty-four hours. + +The government, at this time, was giving some work to American +artists. + +Mr. Morse knew he deserved to have a picture to paint. + +But, through a mistake, he was not given one. + +He felt much hurt by this. + +But perhaps he would not have pushed his telegraph through, if he +had been given plenty of painting to do. + +As it was, Morse, the painter, became Morse, the inventor. + +It was not until 1837 that Mr. Morse had his wonderful invention +ready to exhibit. + +During that year many people saw it. + +Many thought it a silly toy. + +Few dreamed of its importance. + +Mr. Alfred Vail, whose father and brother had large brass and iron +works, was one of those who believed in it. + +Mr. Vail decided to assist Mr. Morse. + +He was young and liked machinery. + +Long after, Mr. Morse said that much of the success of the telegraph +was due to Mr. Vail. + +In 1838, Mr. Morse asked Congress to give him aid. + +He wished to build a telegraph between Baltimore and Washington. + +The President and others saw the telegraph exhibited. + +A gentleman, named Mr. F.O.J. Smith, helped Mr. Morse with money. + +But many Congressmen laughed at the idea. + +Do you not think they felt ashamed when they found how great a thing +they had been laughing at? + +While waiting for Congress to decide, Mr. Morse went to Europe +again. + +He tried to get a patent in London, but it was refused him. + +The French people gave him a paper which didn't mean much. + +He met some great men, however, who did all they could for him. + +Did you ever see a daguerreotype? + +It is an old fashioned portrait. + +Perhaps you can find some at home. + +Mr. Morse met in Paris the man who first took these pictures. + +His name was Mr. Daguerre. + +You see how the pictures were named. + +He was exhibiting his pictures at this time. + +So the two greatest things in Paris in those days were the +electro-magnetic telegraph and daguerreotypes. + +Mr. Daguerre and Mr. Morse became fast friends. + +Mr. Daguerre taught Mr. Morse how to take daguerreotypes. + +When Mr. Morse returned to America, he took some portraits of this +kind. + +He also taught others how to do so. + +Having returned to America, he found plenty to do. + +He wished to try the telegraph under water. + +He arranged about two miles of wire. + +He put it into New York Harbor. + +A row boat was used in placing it. + +It was a beautiful moonlight night. + +People walking along the shore might well wonder what kind of fish +were to be caught with such a long line. + +At day break Professor Morse was ready for his experiment. + +Two or three characters were sent on the line. + +Then no more could be sent. + +Some sailors, in pulling up their anchor, had caught the wire. + +They pulled in about two hundred feet. + +Then they cut the wire. + +So ended the first cable. + +The Vails had been good friends to Mr. Morse. + +But they became afraid to spend any more money. + +Then, indeed, Mr. Morse was in despair. + +A bill had been brought before Congress, asking for thirty thousand +dollars. + +This was to build the trial telegraph line. + +Oh, how anxiously Mr. Morse waited! + +Delay after delay came. + +Many Congressmen in their speeches, made all manner of fun of the +bill. + +Twilight came upon the evening of March 3rd, 1842. + +It was the last day of the session of Congress. + +There were still one hundred and nineteen bills to dispose of. + +It seemed impossible that the telegraph bill could be reached. + +Mr. Morse had patiently waited all day. + +At last he gave up all hope. + +He left the building and went to his hotel. + +He planned to leave for New York on an early train. + +As he came down to breakfast next morning, a young lady met him. + +"I have come to congratulate you," she exclaimed. + +"Upon what?" inquired the professor. + +"Upon the passage of your bill," she replied. + +"Impossible! Its fate was sealed last evening. + +You must be mistaken." + +"Not at all," said the young lady; "father sent me to tell you that +your bill was passed. It was passed just five minutes before the +close of the session." + +Mr. Morse was almost overcome with the news. + +He promised the young lady that she should send the first message +over the new line. + +Mr. Morse received a sad message in the midst of his joy. + +This was the news of the death of his dearest friend, Mr. Allston. + +He hastened to the home of his friend in Cambridge. + +The brush with which Mr. Allston had been painting was still moist. + +Mr. Morse begged this as a memorial of his friend. + +He afterwards gave it to the National Academy. + +Now that the bill was passed, how hard he and his friend worked to +build the line! + +They tried putting the wires underground. + +But this proved very expensive. + +Then they tried the poles as we have them now. + +This succeeded nicely. + +1844 was the year for the appointing of a new President. + +The Whig party were to hold their convention at Baltimore, in May. + +The managers of the telegraph worked hard to get the line done +before the meeting. + +And, although the line was not finished, signals were arranged by +which the message could be given. + +At last the day came. + +Henry Clay was nominated for President. + +The news was sent by the wires to Washington. + +Passengers arrived from Baltimore an hour later. + +They were astonished to find the news already known. + +On the 24th of May the line was ready for its test. + +Every one was anxious. + +Mr. Vail was at the Baltimore end of the line. + +Miss Ellsworth, the young lady who had the promise of sending the +first message, was with Mr. Morse. + +Remember the twelve long, weary, anxious years, during which Mr. +Morse had worked and waited. + +It was an anxious moment. + +Miss Ellsworth chose her message from the Bible. + +It is found in Numbers, 23rd chapter, 23rd verse. + +The words are: "What hath God wrought!" + +This was received at once by Mr. Vail. + +Professor Morse said this of the words of the message:-- + +"It baptized the American Telegraph with the name of the author." + +He meant by this, that God was the author of the telegraph. + +What a glad, happy time followed! + +Everybody congratulated Mr. Morse. + +The democratic convention took place two days later. + +There was much excitement. + +James K. Polk was nominated for President. + +All sorts of messages were sent over the new telegraph line. + +Mr. Morse loved his country. + +And through his whole life worked for its interests. + +He rejoiced in having his invention called an American invention. + +He was at one time in Europe. + +His friend, Mr. F.O.J. Smith, was embarking on his voyage for home. + +Mr. Morse said to him:-- + +"When you arrive in sight of dear America, bless it for me. + +"And when you land, kiss the very ground for me. + +"Land of lands! Oh, that all our country-men would but know their +blessings! + +"God hath not dealt so with any nation. + +"We ought to be the best, as well as the happiest and most +prosperous of all nations. + +"Nor should we forget to whom we are in debt for all these +blessings. + +"'Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any +nation.'" + + * * * * * + +There were still many hard things for Mr. Morse to endure. + +Wicked men tried to steal his invention from him. + +They pretended to have invented telegraphs. + +The nations of Europe did not treat him justly. + +But, little by little, the telegraph lines were built over the +country. + +Little, by little, the world came to know and love the name of +Samuel F.B. Morse. + +Honors of all sorts were given him. + +But, through all, he was the same kind, patient man. + +The Sultan of Turkey was the first foreign prince to honor Mr. +Morse. + +But he was followed by many others. + +You have noticed that Mr. Morse never had a chance to enjoy a home. + +In 1847, he bought a beautiful home upon the Hudson. + +In the following year he married Miss Griswold, a lady born at Sault +Ste. Marie. + +They called their new home Locust Grove. + +There they enjoyed life greatly. + +Professor Morse had a telegraph instrument in his study. + +He afterwards bought a beautiful home in New York City. + +There they spent their winters. + +These words were written by a friend to Mrs. Morse, alluding to her +husband:-- + +"Though he did not 'snatch the thunder from the heaven,' he gave the +electric current thought, and bound the earth in light." + +To Mr. Morse belongs also the honor of the submarine telegraph. + +A successful telegraph of this kind was laid near New York City. + +Other gentlemen became interested in this. + +Chief among these were Mr. Cyrus W. Field and his brother David +Dudley Field. + +The story of the cable laid across the Atlantic is a long one. + +But Mr. Morse lived to see this, too, a success. + +When Mr. Morse was eighty years of age, his statue was erected in +Central Park, New York. + +This was done by the telegraph operators of the country. + +It represented Mr. Morse as sending the first message of the +telegraph, "What hath God wrought." + +Mr. Morse was present when the statue was unveiled. + +In 1872 he became very ill. + +His busy life was at an end. + +The whole country mourned, as news flashed over the wires that +Professor Morse was dying. + +The light was going out of those bright, kind eyes. + +The fingers that harnessed the steed, Lightning were powerless. + +The great brain, that had worked so hard for the world, was ready +for rest. + +The great heart, that never kept an unkind thought, ceased to beat. + +All America mourned for him. + +Messages were received from Europe, Asia and Africa, paying tribute +to the dead. + +Few men have lived such lives as did Samuel Finley Breese Morse. + + [Illustration] + + + + + [Illustration: PETER COOPER.] + + + + +PETER COOPER. + + +On the seventh of April, in 1883, the great city of New York was in +mourning. Flags were at half-mast. The bells tolled. + +Shops were closed, but in the windows were pictures of a kind-faced, +white-haired man. + +These pictures were draped in black. + +All day long tens of thousands of people passed by an open coffin in +one of the churches. + +Some of these people were governors, some millionaires. + +There were poor women, too, with little children in their arms. + +There were workmen in their common clothes. + +There were ragged newsboys. + +And all these people had aching hearts. + +The great daily papers printed many columns about the sad event. + +People in England sent messages by the Atlantic cable that they, +too, had sad hearts. + +Who was this man for whom the world mourned on that April day? + +Was he a president? Oh, no. + +A great general? Far from it. + +Did he live magnificently and have splendid carriages and fine +diamonds? + +No, he was simply Peter Cooper, a man ninety-two years old, and the +best loved man in America. + +Had he given money? + +Yes, but other men in our country do that + +Had he traveled abroad, and so become widely known? + +No, he would never go to Europe because he wished to use his money +in a different way. + +Why, then, was he loved by so many? + +One of the New York papers gave this truthful answer: + +"Peter Cooper went through his long life as gentle as a sweet woman, +as kind as a good mother, as honest as a man could live, and remain +human." + +Some boys would be ashamed to be thought as gentle as a girl, but +not so Peter Cooper. + +He was born poor, and was always willing that everyone should know +it. + +He despised pride. + +When his old horse and chaise came down Broadway, every cartman and +omnibus driver turned aside for him. + +Though a millionaire, he was their friend and brother, and they were +proud and fond of him. + +He gave away more than he kept. + +He found places for the poor to work if possible. + +He gave money to those he found were worthy. + +And though he was one of the busiest men in America, he always took +time to be kind. + +His pastor, Mr. Collyer, said this of him:-- + +"His presence, wherever he went, lay like a bar of sunshine across a +dark and troubled day. I have seen it light up the careworn faces of +thousands of people. It seemed as if those who looked at him were +saying to themselves; 'It cannot be so bad a world as we thought, +since Peter Cooper lives in it and blesses us.'" + +But how did this poor boy become a millionaire? And how did he get +people to love him so? + +He did it, boys and girls, by making up his mind to do it at first, +and then sticking to it. + +Nobody could have had more hard things to overcome than Peter +Cooper. + +His parents were poor and had nine children. + +His father moved from town to town, always hoping to do better. + +He forgot the old saying, "A rolling stone gathers no moss." + +When the fifth baby was born, he was named after the Apostle Peter, +because his father said, "This boy will come to something." + +But he was not a strong boy. + +He was able to go to school but one year of his life, and then only +every other day. + +His father was a hatter, and when Peter was eight years old he +pulled hair from rabbit skins for hat pulp. + +Year after year he worked harder than he was able, but he was +determined to win. + +When his eight little brothers and sisters needed shoes, he ripped +up an old one to see how it was made. Always after that he made the +shoes for the family. + +Do you think a lazy boy would have done that? + +When he was seventeen, he bade his anxious mother good-bye, and +started for New York to make his fortune. + +Do you know what a lottery is? + +It is a way dishonest people have of making money. + +Tickets are sold for prizes, and of course only one person can get +the prize, while all the rest must lose their money. + +Soon after Peter Cooper reached New York he saw an advertisement of +a lottery. + +He might draw a prize by buying a ticket. + +Each ticket cost ten dollars. + +Peter had just that much money. + +He thought the matter over carefully. + +He wished very much to have some money, for then he could help his +mother. + +So he bought a ticket, and drew--nothing. + +Poor boy! he was now penniless. + +But he never touched games of chance again. + +Years afterward he used to say, "It was the cheapest piece of +knowledge I ever bought." + +Day after day the tall, slender boy walked the streets of New York +looking for work. + +At last he found a place. + +It was in a carriage shop. + +Here he bound himself as apprentice for five years at two dollars a +month and board. + +You see he could buy no good clothes. + +He had no money for cigars or pleasures of any kind. + +He helped to bring carriages for rich men's sons to ride in. + +There is an old saying, that "everybody has to walk at one end of +life," and they are fortunate who walk at the beginning and ride at +the close. + +When his day's work was over he liked to read. + +His companions made fun of him because he would not join them. + +He made a little money by extra work. + +He hired a teacher, to whom he recited evenings. + +He was often very tired, but he never complained. + +He had many friends because he was always good-natured. + +He used often to say to himself, "If ever I get rich I will build a +place where the poor girls and boys of New York may have an +education free." + +Wasn't that a queer thought for a boy who earned only fifty cents a +week? + +Yet perhaps his even dreaming such dreams helped him to do the great +things of which I shall tell you. + +Now, Peter noticed that the tools which they worked with in the +carriage shop were not very good. + +So he began to try to make better ones. + +He succeeded in doing so, but Mr. Woodward, the man for whom he +worked, had all the benefit of his work. + +But at last Peter's apprenticeship was over. + +Much to his surprise Mr. Woodward one day called him into his +office. + +"You have been very faithful," he said, "and I will set you up in a +carriage manufactory of your own. + +"You could pay me back the money borrowed in a few years." + +This was a remarkable offer for a poor young man. + +But Peter had made it a solemn rule of his life never to go in debt. + +So he thanked Mr. Woodward very earnestly, but declined his offer. + +It was then Mr. Woodward's turn to be astonished. + +But he knew Peter was right, and respected his good judgment in the +matter. + +We may now call Peter Cooper a mechanic. + +A mechanic is one who has skill in using tools in shaping wood, +metals, etc. + +Peter now found a situation in a woolen mill at Hempstead, Long +Island. + +Here he received nine dollars a week. + +Still he kept trying to find better ways of doing things. + +He invented a machine for shearing cloth, and from that earned five +hundred dollars in two years. + +With so much money as this he could not rest until he had visited +his mother. + +He found his parents deeply in debt. + +He gave them the whole of his money, and promised to do more than +that. + +His father had not made a mistake in naming him after the Apostle +Peter. + +During this time Mr. Cooper had learned to know a beautiful girl +named Sarah Bedell. This girl became his wife. + +They moved to New York. + +Here Mr. Cooper had a grocery-store. + +A friend advised him to buy a glue factory which was for sale. + +He knew nothing of the business, but he thought he could learn it. + +He soon made not only the best glue, but the cheapest in the +country. + +For thirty years he carried on this business almost alone, with no +salesman and no book-keeper. + +He rose every morning at daylight, kindled his factory fires, and +worked all the forenoon making glue. + +In the afternoon he sold it. + +In the evenings he kept his accounts, wrote his letters, and read +with his wife and children. + +He worked this way long after he had an income of thirty thousand +dollars a year. + +This was not because he wanted to have so much more money for +himself. + +You remember he had a plan to carry out which would take much +money. + +That was to build his free school for the poor. + +He had no time for parties or pleasures. + +But the people of New York knew he was both honest and intelligent. + +They asked him to be a member of the City Council, and President of +their Board of Education. + +Peter Cooper never refused to do anything which might help others. + +So he did not refuse these offices. + +I must tell you now about Mr. Cooper's first child, and how fine a +thing it was to have an inventor for a papa. + +Mr. Cooper made for this baby a self-rocking cradle, with a fan +attached to keep off the flies, and with a musical instrument to +soothe the dear baby into dreamland. + +Mr. Cooper's business prospered. + + [Illustration: THE "BEST FRIEND,"--FIRST LOCOMOTIVE BUILT IN + AMERICA. BUILT BY PETER COOPER.] + +Once the glue factory burned, with a loss of forty thousand dollars. + +But at nine o'clock the next morning there was lumber on the ground +for a factory three times as large as the one burned. + +He then built a rolling mill and furnace in Baltimore. + +They were then trying to build the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. + +Only thirteen miles of the road had been finished. + +The directors were about to give up the work. + +There were many sharp turns in the track. + +The directors were discouraged because they thought no engine could +be made to make those turns. + +Mr. Cooper knew that this road would help his rolling mill. + +Nothing could discourage him. + + [Illustration: FIRST TRAIN IN AMERICA.] + +He went to work and made the first locomotive made in America. + +He attached a box-car to it. + +Then he invited the directors to take a ride. + +He took the place of engineer himself. + +Away they flew over the thirteen miles in an hour. + +The directors took courage, and the road was soon finished. + +Years after, when Mr. Cooper had become a great man, he was invited +to visit Baltimore. + +The old engine was brought out, much to the delight of the people, +who cheered again and again at sight of it. + +Mr. Cooper soon built at Trenton, N.J., the largest rolling mill in +the United States. + +He also built a large blast furnace, and steel and wire works in +different parts of Pennsylvania. + + [Illustration: NEW YORK CENTRAL EMPIRE STATE EXPRESS. FASTEST + LOCOMOTIVE IN THE WORLD. "ENGINE 999." + Copyrighted by A.P. Yates, by permission of New York Central R.R.] + +He bought the Andover iron mines. + +He built eight miles of railroad in this rough country. + +Over this road he carried forty thousand tons a year. + +The poor boy, who once earned but twenty-five dollars a year, had +become a millionaire. + +No good luck accomplished this. + +But these are the things that did it: + + Hard work. + Living within his means. + Saving his time. + Common sense, which helped him to look carefully before he + invested his money. + Promptness. + Keeping his word. + +Mr. Cooper was honorable in all his business. + +Once he said to a friend who had an interest in the Trenton works: + +"I do not feel quite easy about the amount we are making. We are +making too much money. It is not right." + +The price was made lower at once. + +Do you not think Peter Cooper was an unusual kind of a man to lower +the price of an article just because the world needed it so much? + +He was now sixty-four years of age. + +He had worked day and night for forty years to build his Free +College. + +He had bought the ground for it. + +And now for five whole years he watched his great, six-story, +brown-stone building as it grew. + +The man who was once a penniless lad should teach many through these +great stones some of the lessons he knew so well. + +Some of these are industry, economy and perseverance. + +The words which he wrote and placed in a box in the corner stone are +not too hard for you to read. + +"The great object that I desire to accomplish by the erection of +this Institution is to open the avenues of scientific knowledge to +the youth of our city and country, and so unfold the volume of +Nature that the young may see the beauties of creation, enjoy its +blessings, and learn to love the Author from whom cometh every good +and perfect gift." + +But would the poor young men and women of New York who worked hard +all day care for an education? + +Some people said no. + +But Mr. Cooper thought of his own boyhood, and believed that young +people loved books, and would be glad of a chance to study them. + + [Illustration: COOPER INSTITUTE, NEW YORK CITY.] + +And when the grand building was opened students crowded in from the +shops and factories. + +Some were worn and tired, as Peter Cooper had often been in his +youth. + +But they studied eagerly in spite of that. + +Every Saturday night two thousand came together in the great hall. + +There the most famous people in the world lectured before them. + +Every year nearly five hundred thousand read in the free library and +reading rooms. + +Four thousand pupils came to the night school to study science and +art. + +The white-haired, kindly-faced man went daily to see the students. + +They loved him as a father. + +His last act was to buy ten type-writers for the girls in that +department. + +Has the work paid? + +Ask any of those young men and women who have gone out from Cooper +Institute to earn their own living. + +Not one of them had to pay a cent for his education. + +No one is admitted who does not expect to earn his living. + +Mr. Cooper did not love weak, idle young people, who are willing +their parents shall take care of them. + +The work has grown so large that more money is needed--perhaps +another million. + +Mr. Cooper gave it two millions of dollars. + +Many are turned from the doors because there is no more room. + +Some of the pupils from the Institute have become teachers. + +One receives two dollars an hour for teaching. + +Several engrave on wood. + +One receives one hundred and fifty dollars a month. + +Another, a lady, married a gentleman of wealth, and to show her +gratitude to Mr. Cooper has opened another "Free School of Art." + +Is it any wonder that when Peter Cooper died thirty-five hundred +came up from the Institution to lay roses upon his coffin. + +His last words to his son and daughter were not to forget Cooper +Union. + +They have just given one hundred thousand dollars to it. + +Mr. Cooper had many friends among the great and good of the land. + +He died as unselfishly as he had lived, and who can measure the good +he did in the world? + + + + + [Illustration: EDISON.] + + + + +A GREAT INVENTOR. + + +Thomas A. Edison was born in Milan, Ohio, February 11, 1847. + +There was nothing in Milan to make a boy wish to do great deeds. + +There was a canal there. + +Thomas had one great help--his mother. + +She had been a teacher. + +Her greatest wish for her son was that he should love knowledge. + +Thomas had a quick mind. + +He inquired into everything. + +He was fond of getting every little thing well learned. + +He never did things by halves. + +He loved to try experiments. + +When Thomas was a very little boy, only six years old, and still +wearing dresses, he did a very funny thing. + +He was one day found missing. + +His frightened parents searched for him long and anxiously. + +Where do you think he was found? + +They found him in the barn, sitting on a nest of goose eggs, with +his dress spread out to keep them warm. + +He thought he could hatch some goslings as well as the mother-goose. + +He had placed some food near by so that he might stay as long as +necessary. + +He went to a regular school only two months. + +His father and mother were his teachers. + +His father, to encourage him to read, paid him for every book which +he read. + +But Thomas did not need to be paid to read, for he read with +pleasure every volume he could get hold of. + +When he was ten years old, he was reading such books as Gibbon's +"History of Rome," Hume's "History of England," and Sear's "History +of the World." + +Besides these, he had read several books about chemistry. + +He loved to read about great men and their deeds. + +When he played, it was at building plank roads, digging caves, and +exploring the banks of the canal. + +When only twelve years of age, he was obliged to go out into the +world and earn his own living. + +He obtained a place as train-boy on the Grand Trunk Railroad, in +Eastern Michigan. + +He sold apples, peanuts, song-books, and papers. + +He had such a pleasant, sunny face that everyone liked to buy of +him. + +He succeeded so well that soon he had four boys working under him. + +This was not enough to keep him busy. + +He had never lost his liking for chemistry. + +He managed to trade some of his papers for things with which to try +experiments. + +He found a book which helped him. + +He fitted up an old baggage car as a room for his experiments. + +He was afraid some one would touch his chemicals; so he labelled +every bottle, "Poison." + +Soon this busy boy had another business. + +He bought three hundred pounds of old type from the "Detroit Free +Press." + +He had gained a little knowledge of printing by keeping his eyes +open when buying papers. + +Soon a paper, called the "Grand Trunk Herald," was printed by Master +Tom. + +This paper was twelve by sixteen inches in size. + +It was filled with railway gossip and many other things of interest +to travelers. + +Baggagemen and brakemen wrote articles for it. + +George Stephenson, who built a great bridge at Montreal, liked it so +well that he ordered an extra edition for his own use. + +Everybody liked it. + +The "London Times" spoke of it as the only paper in the world +published on a railway train. + +But the "Grand Trunk Herald" had a sad ending. + +Do you know what phosphorus is? + +It is a substance which will take fire of itself if not kept under +water. + +Tom's bottle of phosphorus was thrown to the floor by the jolting of +the car. + +Soon everything was on fire. + +The conductor rushed in and threw all the type and chemicals out of +the car. + +He also gave the young chemist a thrashing. + +Poor Thomas gathered up what was left. + +He put his things in the basement of his father's house. + +Thomas's father now lived at Port Huron. + +Thomas always slept at home. + +He now printed another and a larger journal. + +This was called the "Paul Pry." + +In this he published an article which one of his subscribers did not +like. + +The angry man, meeting Thomas on the banks of the St. Clair River, +picked him up and threw him in. + +Thomas was a good swimmer and reached the shore in safety. + +But he did not care for the printing business any more. + +During the four years in which Thomas Edison was a train-boy, he had +earned two thousand dollars and given it all to his parents. + +When in Detroit, he read as much as possible from the public +library. + +Once he thought he would begin with number one and read each of the +thousand volumes. + +He read until he had finished a long row of hard books on a shelf +fifteen feet long. + +Then he made up his mind that anyone would have to live as long as +Methuselah to read a library through, and gave up the plan. + +Thomas became interested in telegraphy during the Civil War. + +He used to telegraph the headings in his paper ahead one station. + +He thought this a good way to advertise. + +He finally bought a good book about electricity. + +Soon the basement of the house at Port Huron was filled with many +things beside printing presses. + +He used stove-pipe wire, and soon had a telegraph wire between the +basement and the home of a boy friend. + +Perhaps it was a good thing that all the children in the Edison +family were not like Thomas. + +Had they been, the poor old house would scarcely have held them. + +But the mother was proud of all that Thomas did. + +She did not worry over the bottles, wires, strings, and printing +presses. + +About this time Thomas did a brave thing. + +The station agent at Mt. Clemens had a baby boy two years old. + +This baby crept on to the track in front of a train just coming in. + +Quick as thought, young Edison rushed to the track and saved the +child at the risk of his own life. + +The baby's father was very grateful and offered to teach Thomas +telegraphy. + +Of course, Thomas was very happy, and accepted the offer. + +He came to Mt. Clemens every evening, after working hard all day. + +He did so well that, in five months, he was given a position at Port +Huron. + +He earned six and one-quarter dollars a week. + +He worked almost night and day, so that he might learn all he could +about it. + +His mother said that the world would hear from her boy some day. + +Afterwards he worked in several places. + +In Indianapolis, though not yet seventeen, he invented his first +telegraph instrument. + +This was thought to be a great thing for so young a boy to do. + +He lost several places because he tried new ways. + +At last, he was obliged to walk nearly all the way to Louisville +because he had no money. + +Here he was given a good position. + +He stayed several years. + +Under the telegraph rooms was an elegant bank. + +One day, while experimenting, he spilled a great bottle of acid. + +This acid went through the floor into the bank below. + +Of course it spoiled the ceiling, handsome carpets, and furniture. + +So the unfortunate inventor had to leave Louisville. + +He finally gave up trying to be a telegraph operator. + +He opened a little shop. + +He invented many things, and kept on thinking. + +He could not make his inventions successful, for he had little +money. + +He thought so hard that he forgot everything else. + +Once he was asked to speak before a company. + +He forgot all about it. + +They sent for him, and found him at the top of a house putting up a +telegraph line. + +He went in his working clothes to make his speech. + +He felt queer when he found a room full of elegant ladies. + +But he made a good speech. + +Then he went to New York. + +There he walked the streets three weeks, looking for work. + +Nobody wanted a man who experimented. + +By chance, he one day went into an office where the telegraph +instrument was out of repair. + +He offered to fix it. + +They laughed at him, but let him try. + +He succeeded in fixing it. + +They gave him a good position. + +From this time on there were better times for him. + +After this the world soon sang his praises; and, in the next ten +years, Fortune poured into his lap half a million dollars. + +This was the result of his thinking. + +The man who was in charge of the United States Patent Office called +him "the young man who keeps the pathway to the Patent Office hot +with his footsteps." + +Mr. Edison believed that two messages could be sent over the same +wire at the same time. + +Of course the world laughed at the idea. + +But soon our inventor managed to send four messages over the same +wire at the same time. + +Then the world stopped laughing. + +People said, "This young man is the greatest inventor of his age, +and a discoverer as well." + +The Grand Trunk train-boy had proved a genius. + +When twenty-six years of age, he married a young lady of Newark, +Miss Mary Stillwell. + +Three years later he moved to Menlo Park. + +This was twenty-four miles from New York. + +It was not a pleasant place, but he hoped to work there in quiet. + +He had so many visitors that he could not work. + +He said, "I think I shall fix a wire to my gate, and connect it with +a battery so that it will knock everybody over that touches it." + +But he was really kind. + +He would smile pleasantly, and explain patiently to anyone who +wished to know about his inventions. + +At Menlo Park he built a great laboratory. + +This was filled with batteries and machinery. + +Here all the world came to see his wonderful talking machine. + +It is called a phonograph. + +What do you think Mr. Edison called this machine? + +He said, "I have invented a great many machines, but this is my +baby, and I expect it to grow up and support me in my old age." + +Would you like to know the names of some of his inventions. + +One is the carbon telephone. + +The tasimeter measures the heat even of the far away stars. + +The electric pen multiplies copies of letters and drawings. + +Over sixty thousand are now in use in this country. + +The automatic telegraph permits the sending of several thousand +words over the same wire in one minute. + + [Illustration] + +There are many others. + +Do you wonder that he is called "The Wizard of Menlo Park?" + +But his crowning discovery is the electric light. + +Some gentlemen of New York put one hundred thousand dollars into Mr. +Edison's hands. + +They told him to experiment until he could make a light which every +one would be glad to use. + +Many had tried to do this and had not succeeded. + +It is said that he tried two thousand substances for the arch in his +glass globe before he found one which suited him. + +Do you know what he chose at last? + +Do you remember the plant which the boys and girls of India, China, +and Japan know so well? + +It is the bamboo. + +And it was bamboo which Mr. Edison chose. + +Oh, how glad this light made many people! + +In ten cotton factories in one town were men, women, and children +working. + +They worked in rooms where gas was used. + +The gas injured their eyes and health. + +Now in those same factories there are sixty thousand electric +lights. + +The bamboo burns six hundred hours before it has to be replaced. + +Would you like a picture of Mr. Edison? + +Close your eyes then and think of him like this. + +He is five feet ten inches high. + +His face is boyish, but earnest. + +He has light gray eyes. + +His hair is dark, slightly gray, and falls over his forehead. + +He is a pleasant man to see. + +He loves his work. + +For ten years he has averaged eighteen hour's work a day. + +You have seen that he is not a man to give up easily. + +Once an invention of his--a printing press--failed. + +He took five men into the upper part of his factory. + +He declared he would never come down until it worked satisfactorily. + +For two days and nights, and for twelve hours more, he worked +without sleep. + +He conquered the difficulty. + +Then he slept thirty hours. + +He often works all night. + +He says he can work best when the rest of the world sleeps. + +But he likes fun, too. + +One day he said to his old friend, of whom he learned telegraphing, + +"Look here--I am able to send a message from New York to Boston +without any wire at all." + +"That is impossible," said his friend. + +"Oh, no, it's a new invention." + +"Well, how is it done?" said Mr. McKensie. + +"By sealing it up and sending by mail," was the comical answer. + +He has two children. + +One, a girl, Mary, is nicknamed "Dot." + +The other, a son, Thomas, is called "Dash." + +Mr. Edison doesn't like to have great dinners given in his honor. + +But the world gives him great honors. + +At the Paris Exposition in 1881, two great rooms were filled with +his inventions. + +The rooms were lighted with his lights. + +He receives letters daily in French, German, Italian, Spanish, +Russian, and Turkish. + +Mr. Edison says, "Anything is possible with electricity." + +That he is a genius, nobody can deny. + +But do you suppose he could have done all these things without his +great reading, or if he had been a lazy person? + + + * * * * * + + +--------------------------------------------------------------+ + | Typographical errors corrected in text: | + | | + | Page 141: perserverance replaced with perseverance | + | Page 154: betwen replaced with between | + | Page 155: Clemans replaced with Clemens | + | | + +--------------------------------------------------------------+ + + * * * * * + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Stories of Great Inventors, by Hattie E. Macomber + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORIES OF GREAT INVENTORS *** + +***** This file should be named 19533.txt or 19533.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/5/3/19533/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Jeannie Howse and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/19533.zip b/19533.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7685a33 --- /dev/null +++ b/19533.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f2cb876 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #19533 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/19533) |
