LITTLE BIOGRAPHIES.—HOW SUCCESS IS WON. 305

the head lines of his papers to the next station, that
by thus whetting the appetite, passengers would
“be led to buy. It was not only a good business
scheme, but it served to develop more and more
his interest in the wonders of the telegraph.
He finally bought a standard work on electricity,
and presently the basement of the Port Huron
house had other attractions and recreations than
a printing press. Common stove pipe wire was
strung across and out of the room, connecting with
the residence of a boy friend. This wire was in-
sulated with bottles placed on nails driven into
trees. The magnets used were old wire wound
with rags, with a piece of brass serving as key.
If the other children had been like the irrepressi-
ble Thomas, the Port Huron house would not have
held them, but the mother, proud of anything that
looked toward knowledge in action, counted neither
old bottles, lines of wire, nor presses as nuisances.

And now an act of heroism made a turning
point in his life. The station agent who was also
the operator, at Mount Clemens, near Port Huron,
had a little boy two years old, who one day crept
on the track before the incoming train. Quick
as thought, young Edison rushed on_ the scene,
and, periling his own life, of course, saved that of
the child. In gratitude, the father offered to teach
the boy the art of telegraphy. This seemed a great
boon, and after laboring all day each night on
reaching home, Edison would return on the freight
train to Mount Clemens to study at his new work.
In five months, though hardly sixteen, he became
operator at Port Huron at six dollars and a quarter
a week. Here he worked almost night and day,
perfecting himself in his delightful employment.
He took hold of each detail with a will, and labored
so patiently and constantly, that his devoted and
encouraged mother might well dare to say that the
world would hear from her boy sometime. All in
six months, he worked in Canada, in Adrian, in
Fort Wayne, in Indianapolis; at the latter place,
though not yet seventeen, he invented his first tel-
egraph instrument, and automatic repeater, which
always has been considered an important achieve-
ment for one so young. We next find him at Cin-
cinnati, and at Memphis, caring little for dress,
hiked by his associates, but dubbed “ luny,” be-
cause absorbed in experiments which were con-
sidered impracticable. His services were finally
dispensed with, as they had been several times be-
fore, on account of his having “such a thinking
mind!”

Without money, and scantily clad, he took his
way to Louisville, walking much of the journey,
probably with no very cheerful thoughts about the
encouragement given to inventors. Here he re-
mained two or three years, till an unfortunate acci-
dent ended his connection with the firm. Under
the new telegraph rooms was an elegant bank.
One night, in his experimenting, he tipped over a

whole carboy of sulphuric acid, which ran through
the floor, spoiling the ceiling, the brussels carpet,
and the handsome furniture. At once another
man was engaged, one who would try no experi-
ments !

Wending his way again to Cincinnati, he soon
lost the place he there obtained, because he spent
too much time in the Mechanics’ Library, poring
over books on electricity. At twenty-one, being
really a skilful operator, he secured a position in
Boston; but he presently abandoned it thinking he
could make more money in inventions, and opened
a little shop. He was always hoping for good
things, but, for along time, the good things did not
come. He made a chemical vote-recording appa-
ratus, but the Massachusetts Legislature did not
adopt it. He developed various inventions and
improvements, but for lack of money, they were
not successful. Still he kept on thinking. In-
vited to speak before a company, he forgot the ap-
pointment, and when called for, was at the top of
a house putting up a telegraph line. He went
directly from his work, and was abashed to find
himself in the presence of a room full of elegant
ladies, but he was familiar with his subject, and
spoke impressively. This shifting life, the con-
stant struggle to make of use the thoughts within
him,was wearing. He was restless, too. He resolved
to try New York. Here for three weeks, he walked
the streets looking for work, penniless and de-
spondent. Nobody wanted an experimenting op-
erator! Many would have given up in despair, but
only those win who persevere. By chance, he
stepped into the office of the Gold Reporting ‘Tel-
egraph Company. Their instrument was out of
order. His offer to repair it was received with
incredulity, but he was permitted to try. He suc-
ceeded, and was at once given an excellent posi-
tion. Shakespeare says: “There is a tide in the
affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on
to fortune;” and this tide had come to our in-
ventor at twenty-three. Henceforward there were
to be no discharges for “luny” experiments. Hence-
forward the world was to sing his praises, and
fortune was to pour into his lap a half million dol-
lars in the next ten years ; the results of his “ think-
ings.”

The Western Union Telegraph and the Gold and
Stock Companies paid him a handsome salary,
with the provision that they might have the first
opportunity to buy any of his inventions. A large
electrical manufacturing establishment was opened
with this in view at Newark, N. J. With his force
of three hundred men, he soon had forty-five in-
ventions and improvements in hand, and was de-
scribed by the United States Patent Commissioner
as “the young man who kept the pathway to the
Patent Office hot with his footsteps.”

For some time, it had been a dream of his to
perfect the duplex system of telegraphing. He be-