AnamusingincidentofthisperiodistoldbyEdison。

“WhenIwasaboy，“hesays，“thePrinceofWales，thelateKingEdward，cametoCanada(1860)。GreatpreparationsweremadeatSarnia，theCanadiantownoppositePortHuron。Abouteveryboy，includingmyself，wentovertoseetheaffair。Thetownwasdrapedinflagsmostprofusely，andcarpetswerelaidonthecross-walksfortheprincetowalkon。Therewerearches，etc。Astandwasbuiltraisedabovethegenerallevel，wheretheprincewastobereceivedbythemayor。Seeingallthesepreparations，myideaofaprincewasveryhigh；butwhenhedidarriveI

mistooktheDukeofNewcastleforhim，thedukebeingafine-lookingman。IsoonsawthatIwasmistaken：

thattheprincewasayoungstripling，anddidnotmeetexpectations。Severalofusexpressedourbeliefthataprincewasn'tmuch，afterall，andsaidthatwewerethoroughlydisappointed。Forthisoneboywaswhipped。SoontheCanuckboysattackedtheYankeeboys，andwewereallbadlylicked。I，myself，gotablackeye。Thathasalwaysprejudicedmeagainstthatkindofceremonialandfolly。“ItiscertainlyinterestingtonotethatinlateryearstheprinceforwhomEdisonenduredtheignominyofablackeyemadegenerouscompensationinagracefulletteraccompanyingthegoldAlbertMedalawardedbytheRoyalSocietyofArts。

Anotherincidentoftheperiodisasfollows：“AftersellingpapersinPortHuron，whichwasoftennotreacheduntilabout9。30atnight，Iseldomgothomebefore11。00or11。30。Abouthalf-wayhomefromthestationandthetown，andwithintwenty-fivefeetoftheroadinadensewood，wasasoldiers'graveyardwherethreehundredsoldierswereburied，duetoacholeraepidemicwhichtookplaceatFortGratiot，nearby，manyyearspreviously。Atfirstweusedtoshutoureyesandrunthehorsepastthisgraveyard，andifthehorsesteppedonatwigmyheartwouldgiveaviolentmovement，anditisawonderthatIhaven'tsomevalvulardiseaseofthatorgan。

Butsoonthisrunningofthehorsebecamemonotonous，andafterawhileallfearsofgraveyardsabsolutelydisappearedfrommysystem。IwasintheconditionofSamHouston，thepioneerandfounderofTexas，who，itwassaid，knewnofear。Houstonlivedsomedistancefromthetownandgenerallywenthomelateatnight，havingtopassthroughadarkcypressswampoveracorduroyroad。Onenight，totesthisallegedfearlessness，amanstationedhimselfbehindatreeandenvelopedhimselfinasheet。HeconfrontedHoustonsuddenly，andSamstoppedandsaid：`Ifyouareaman，youcan'thurtme。Ifyouareaghost，youdon'twanttohurtme。Andifyouarethedevil，comehomewithme；Imarriedyoursister！'“

Itisnottobeinferred，however，fromsomeoftheprecedingstatementsthattheboywasofanexclusivelystudiousbentofmind。Hehadthen，asnow，thekeenenjoymentofajoke，andnoparticularaversiontothepracticalform。Anincidentofthetimeisinpoint。“AfterthebreakingoutofthewartherewasaregimentofvolunteersoldiersquarteredatFortGratiot，thereservationextendingtotheboundarylineofourhouse。Nearlyeverynightwewouldhearacall，suchas`CorporaloftheGuard，No。1。'

Thiswouldberepeatedfromsentrytosentryuntilitreachedthebarracks，whenCorporaloftheGuard，No。1，wouldcomeandseewhatwaswanted。IandthelittleDutchboy，afterreturningfromthetownaftersellingourpapers，thoughtwewouldtakeahandatmilitaryaffairs。Soonenight，whenitwasverydark，IshoutedforCorporaloftheGuard，No。1。

Thesecondsentry，thinkingitwastheterminalsentrywhoshouted，repeatedittothethird，andsoon。Thisbroughtthecorporalalongthehalfmile，onlytofindthathewasfooled。Wetriedhimthreenights；butthethirdnighttheywerewatching，andcaughtthelittleDutchboy，tookhimtothelock-upatthefort，andshuthimup。Theychasedmetothehouse。Irushedforthecellar。Inonesmallapartmentthereweretwobarrelsofpotatoesandathirdonenearlyempty。Ipouredtheseremnantsintotheotherbarrels，satdown，andpulledthebarrelovermyhead，bottomup。Thesoldiershadawakenedmyfather，andtheyweresearchingformewithcandlesandlanterns。ThecorporalwasabsolutelycertainIcameintothecellar，andcouldn'tseehowI

couldhavegottenout，andwantedtoknowfrommyfatheriftherewasnosecrethiding-place。Onassuranceofmyfather，whosaidthattherewasnot，hesaiditwasmostextraordinary。Iwasgladwhentheyleft，asIwascramped，andthepotatoeswererottenthathadbeeninthebarrelandviolentlyoffensive。ThenextmorningIwasfoundinbed，andreceivedagoodswitchingonthelegsfrommyfather，thefirstandonlyoneIeverreceivedfromhim，althoughmymotherkeptaswitchbehindtheoldSethThomasclockthathadthebarkwornoff。

Mymother'sideasandminedifferedattimes，especiallywhenIgotexperimentingandmussedupthings。TheDutchboywasreleasednextmorning。“

CHAPTERIV

THEYOUNGTELEGRAPHOPERATOR

“WHILEanewsboyontherailroad，“saysEdison，“Igotverymuchinterestedinelectricity，probablyfromvisitingtelegraphofficeswithachumwhohadtastessimilartomine。“Itwillalsohavebeennotedthatheusedthetelegraphtogetitemsforhislittlejournal，andtobulletinhisspecialnewsoftheCivilWaralongtheline。Thenextstepwasnatural，andhavingwithhisknowledgeofchemistrynotroubleabout“settingup“hisbatteries，thedifficultiesofsecuringapparatuswerechieflythoseconnectedwiththecircuitsandtheinstruments。

Americanyouthsto-dayaregiven，ifofamechanicalturnofmind，toamateurtelegraphyortelephony，butseldom，ifever，havetomakeanypartofthesystemconstructed。InEdison'sboyishdaysitwasquitedifferent，andtelegraphicsupplieswerehardtoobtain。Butheandhis“chum“hadalinebetweentheirhomes，builtofcommonstove-pipewire。Theinsulatorswerebottlessetonnailsdrivenintotreesandshortpoles。Themagnetwirewaswoundwithragsforinsulation，andpiecesofspringbrasswereusedforkeys。Withanideaofsecuringcurrentcheaply，Edisonappliedthelittlethatheknewaboutstaticelectricity，andactuallyexperimentedwithcats，whichhetreatedvigorouslyasfrictionalmachinesuntiltheanimalsfledindismay，andEdisonhadlearnedhisfirstgreatlessonintherelativevalueofsourcesofelectricalenergy。Thelinewasmadetowork，however，andadditionaltothemessagesthattheboysinterchanged，Edisonsecuredpracticeinaningeniousmanner。Hisfatherinsistedon11。30asproperbedtime，whichleftbutashortintervalafterthelongdayonthetrain。Buteachevening，whentheboywenthomewithabundleofpapersthathadnotbeensoldinthetown，hisfatherwouldsitupreadingthe“returnables。“Edison，therefore，onsomeexcuse，leftthepaperswithhisfriend，butsuggestedthathecouldgetthenewsfromhimbytelegraph，bitbybit。Theschemeinterestedhisfather，andwasputintoeffect，themessagesbeingwrittendownandhandedoverforperusal。Thisyieldedgoodpracticenightly，lastinguntil12and1

o'clock，andwasmaintainedforsometimeuntilMr。

Edisonbecamewillingthathissonshouldstayupforareasonabletime。Thepaperswerethenbroughthomeagain，andtheboysamusedthemselvestotheirhearts'contentuntilthelinewaspulleddownbyastraycowwanderingthroughtheorchard。Meantimebetterinstrumentshadbeensecured，andtherudimentsoftelegraphyhadbeenfairlymastered。

ThemixedtrainonwhichEdisonwasemployedasnewsboydidtheway-freightworkandshuntingattheMountClemensstation，abouthalfanhourbeingusuallyspentinthework。OneAugustmorning，in1862，whiletheshuntingwasinprogress，andaladenbox-carhadbeenpushedoutofasiding，Edison，whowasloiteringabouttheplatform，sawthelittlesonofthestationagent，Mr。J。U。Mackenzie，playingwiththegravelonthemaintrackalongwhichthecarwithoutabrakemanwasrapidlyapproaching。

Edisondroppedhispapersandhisglazedcap，andmadeadashforthechild，whomhepickedupandliftedtosafetywithoutasecondtospare，asthewheelofthecarstruckhisheel；andbothwerecutaboutthefaceandhandsbythegravelballastonwhichtheyfell。Thetwoboyswerepickedupbythetrain-handsandcarriedtotheplatform，andthegratefulfatheratonceofferedtoteachtherescuer，whomheknewandliked，theartoftraintelegraphyandtomakeanoperatorofhim。Itisneedlesstosaythattheproposalwaseagerlyaccepted。

Edisonfoundtimeforhisnewstudiesbylettingoneofhisfriendslookafterthenewsboyworkonthetrainforpartofthetrip，reservingtohimselftherunbetweenPortHuronandMountClemens。ThathewasalreadywellqualifiedasabeginnerisevidentfromthefactthathehadmasteredtheMorsecodeofthetelegraphicalphabet，andwasabletotaketothestationaneatlittlesetofinstrumentshehadjustfinishedwithhisownhandsatagun-shopinDetroit。Thiswasprobablyauniqueachievementinitselfamongrailwayoperatorsofthatdayoroflatertimes。Thedrillofthestudentinvolvedchieflytheacquisitionofthespecialsignalsemployedinrailwaywork，includingthenumeralsandabbreviationsappliedtosavetime。Someofthesehavepassedintotheslangoftheday，“73“beingwellknownasatelegrapher'sexpressionofcomplimentsorgoodwishes，while“23“isanaccidentordeathmessage，andhasbeengivenbroaderpopularsignificanceasageneralsynonymfor“hoodoo。“AllofthiscameeasilytoEdison，whohad，moreover，ashisHeraldshowed，anunusualfamiliaritywithtrainmovementalongthatportionoftheGrandTrunkroad。

Threeorfourmonthswerespentpleasantlyandprofitablybytheyouthinthiscourseofstudy，andEdisontooktoitenthusiastically，givingitnolessthaneighteenhoursaday。Hethenputupalittletelegraphlinefromthestationtothevillage，adistanceofaboutamile，andopenedanofficeinadrugstore；butthebusinesswasnaturallyverysmall。

ThetelegraphoperatoratPortHuronknowingofhisproficiency，andwantingtogetintotheUnitedStatesMilitaryTelegraphCorps，wherethepayinthosedaysoftheCivilWarwashigh，succeededinconvincinghisbrother-in-law，Mr。M。Walker，thatyoungEdisoncouldfilltheposition。Edisonwas，ofcourse，wellacquaintedwiththeoperatorsalongtheroadandatthesouthernterminal，andtookuphisnewdutiesveryeasily。Theofficewaslocatedinajewelrystore，wherenewspapersandperiodicalswerealsosold。

Edisonwastobefoundattheofficebothdayandnight，sleepingthere。“IbecamequitevaluabletoMr。Walker。AfterworkingalldayIworkedattheofficenightsaswell，forthereasonthat`pressreport'

cameoveroneofthewiresuntil3A。M。，andIwouldcutinandcopyitaswellasIcould，tobecomemorerapidlyproficient。Thegoaloftheruraltelegraphoperatorwastobeabletotakepress。Mr。Walkertriedtogetmyfathertoapprenticemeat$20permonth，buttheycouldnotagree。IthenappliedforajobontheGrandTrunkRailroadasarailwayoperator，andwasgivenaplace，nights，atStratfordJunction，Canada。“ApparentlyhisfriendMackenziehelpedhiminthematter。Thepositioncarriedasalaryof$25permonth。Noseriousobjectionswereraisedbyhisfamily，forthedistancefromPortHuronwasnotgreat，andStratfordwasnearBayfield，theoldhomefromwhichtheEdisonshadcome，sothatthereweredoubtlessfriendsorevenrelativesinthevicinity。Thiswasin1863。

Mr。Walkerwasanobservantman，whohassincethattimeinstalledanumberofwaterworkssystemsandobtainedseveralpatentsofhisown。Hedescribestheboyofsixteenasengrossedintenselyinhisexperimentsandscientificreading，andsomewhatindifferent，forthisreason，tohisdutiesasoperator。

Thisofficewasnotparticularlybusy，takingfrom$50to$75amonth，buteventhemessagestakeninwouldremainunsentonthehookwhileEdisonwasinthecellarbelowtryingtosolvesomechemicalproblem。ThemanagerwouldseehimstudyingsometimesanarticleinsuchapaperastheScientificAmerican，andthendisappearingtobuyafewsundriesforexperiments。Returningfromthedrugstorewithhischemicals，hewouldnotbeseenagainuntilrequiredbyhisduties，oruntilhehadfoundoutforhimself，ifpossible，inthisoffhandmanner，whetherwhathehadreadwascorrectornot。Whenhehadcompletedhisexperimentallinterestinitwaslost，andthejarsandwireswouldbelefttoanyfatethatmightbefallthem。InlikemannerEdisonwouldmakefreeuseofthewatchmaker'stoolsthatlayonthelittletableinthefrontwindow，andwouldtakethewireplierstherewithoutmuchthoughtastotheirvalueasdistinguishedfromalineman'stools。Theoneideawastodoquicklywhathewantedtodo；andthesameswift，almostheadlongtrialofanythingthatcomestohand，whilethefervorofanewexperimentisfelt，hasbeennotedatallstagesoftheinventor'scareer。OneisremindedofPalissy'srecklessness，wheninhiseffortstomaketheenamelmeltonhispotteryheusedtheveryfurnitureofhishomeforfirewood。

Mr。Edisonremarksthefactthattherewasverylittledifferencebetweenthetelegraphofthattimeandofto-day，exceptthegeneraluseoftheoldMorseregisterwiththedotsanddashesrecordedbyindentingpaperstripsthatcouldbereadandcheckedlateratleisureifnecessary。Hesays：“Thetelegraphmencouldn'texplainhowitworked，andI

wasalwaystryingtogetthemtodoso。Ithinktheycouldn't。IrememberthebestexplanationIgotwasfromanoldScotchlinerepaireremployedbytheMontrealTelegraphCompany，whichoperatedtherailroadwires。Hesaidthatifyouhadadoglikeadachshund，longenoughtoreachfromEdinburghtoLondon，ifyoupulledhistailinEdinburghhewouldbarkinLondon。Icouldunderstandthat，butI

nevercouldgetitthroughmewhatwentthroughthedogoroverthewire。“To-dayMr。Edisonisjustasunabletosolvetheinnermysteryofelectricaltransmission。Norishealone。Atthebanquetgiventocelebratehisjubileein1896asprofessoratGlasgowUniversity，LordKelvin，thegreatestphysicistofourtime，admittedwithtearsinhiseyesandthenoteoftragedyinhisvoice，thatwhenitcametoexplainingthenatureofelectricity，heknewjustaslittleaswhenhehadbegunasastudent，andfeltalmostasthoughhislifehadbeenwastedwhilehetriedtograpplewiththegreatmysteryofphysics。

AnotherepisodeofthisperiodiscuriousinitsrevelationofthetenacitywithwhichEdisonhasalwaysheldtosomeofhisoldestpossessionswithasenseofpersonalattachment。“WhileworkingatStratfordJunction，“hesays，“Iwastoldbyoneofthefreightconductorsthatinthefreight-houseatGoodrichtherewereseveralboxesofoldbroken-upbatteries。Iwentthereandfoundovereightycellsofthewell-knownGrovenitric-acidbattery。Theoperatorthere，whowasalsoagent，whenaskedbymeifIcouldhavetheelectrodesofeachcell，madeofsheetplatinum，gavehispermissionreadily，thinkingtheywereoftin。Iremovedthemall，amountingtoseveralounces。Platinumeveninthosedayswasveryexpensive，costingseveraldollarsanounce，andIownedonlythreesmallstrips。Iwasoverjoyedatthisacquisition，andthoseverystripsandthereworkedscrapareusedtothisdayinmylaboratoryoverfortyyearslater。“

ItwasatStratfordthatEdison'sinventivenesswasfirstdisplayed。Thehoursofworkofanightoperatorareusuallyfrom7P。M。to7A。M。，andtoinsureattentionwhileondutyitisoftenprovidedthattheoperatoreveryhour，from9P。M。untilrelievedbythedayoperator，shallsendinthesignal“6“tothetraindispatcher'soffice。Edisonrevelledintheopportunityforstudyandexperimentgivenhimbyhislonghoursoffreedominthedaytime，butneededsleep，justasanyhealthyyouthdoes。Confrontedbythenecessityofsendinginthiswatchman'ssignalasevidencethathewasawakeandonduty，heconstructedasmallwheelwithnotchesontherim，andattachedittotheclockinsuchamannerthatthenight-watchmancouldstartitwhenthelinewasquiet，andateachhourthewheelrevolvedandsentinaccuratelythedotsrequiredfor“sixing。“Theinventionwasasuccess，thedevicebeing，indeed，similartothatofthemoderndistrictmessengerbox；

butitwassoonnoticedthat，inspiteoftheregularityofthereport，“Sf“couldnotberaisedevenifatrainmessageweresentimmediatelyafter。Detectionandareprimandcameinduecourse，butwerenottakenveryseriously。

AseriousoccurrencethatmighthaveresultedinaccidentdrovehimsoonafterfromCanada，althoughtheyouthcouldhardlybeheldtoblameforit。

Edisonsays：“Thisnightjobjustsuitedme，asI

couldhavethewholedaytomyself。Ihadthefacultyofsleepinginachairanytimeforafewminutesatatime。Itaughtthenight-yardmanmycall，soI

couldgethalfanhour'ssleepnowandthenbetweentrains，andincasethestationwascalledthewatchmanwouldawakenme。OnenightIgotanordertoholdafreighttrain，andIrepliedthatIwould。

Irushedouttofindthesignalman，butbeforeIcouldfindhimandgetthesignalset，thetrainranpast。

Irantothetelegraphoffice，andreportedthatIcouldnotholdher。Thereplywas：`Hell！'Thetraindispatcher，onthestrengthofmymessagethatIwouldholdthetrain，hadpermittedanothertoleavethelaststationintheoppositedirection。Therewasalowerstationnearthejunctionwherethedayoperatorslept。Istartedforitonfoot。Thenightwasdark，andIfellintoaculvertandwasknockedsenseless。“Owingtothevigilanceofthetwoengineersonthelocomotives，whosaweachotherapproachingonthestraightsingletrack，nothingmoredreadfulhappenedthanasummonstothethoughtlessoperatortoappearbeforethegeneralmanageratToronto。Onreachingthemanager'soffice，histrialforneglectofdutywasfortunatelyinterruptedbythecalloftwoEnglishmen；andwhiletheirconversationproceeded，Edisonslippedquietlyoutoftheroom，hurriedtotheGrandTrunkfreightdepot，foundaconductorheknewtakingoutafreighttrainforSarnia，andwasnothappyuntiltheferry-boatfromSarniahadlandedhimoncemoreontheMichiganshore。TheGrandTrunkstillowesMr。Edisonthewagesduehimatthetimehethuswithdrewfromitsservice，buttheclaimhasneverbeenpressed。

Thesamewinterof1863-64，whileatPortHuron，Edisonhadafurtheropportunityofdisplayinghisingenuity。Anice-jamhadbrokenthelighttelegraphcablelaidinthebedoftheriveracrosstoSarnia，andthuscommunicationwasinterrupted。

Theriveristhree-quartersofamilewide，andcouldnotbecrossedonfoot；norcouldthecableberepaired。

Edisonatoncesuggestedusingthesteamwhistleofthelocomotive，andbymanipulatingthevalvecon-

versedtheshortandlongoutburstsofshrillsoundintotheMorsecode。AnoperatorontheSarniashorewasquickenoughtocatchthesignificanceofthestrangewhistling，andmessageswerethussentinwirelessfashionacrosstheice-floesintheriver。Itissaidthatsuchsignalswerealsointerchangedbymilitarytelegraphersduringthewar，andpossiblyEdisonmayhaveheardofthepractice；butbethatasitmay，hecertainlyshowedingenuityandresourceinapplyingsuchamethodtomeetthenecessity。

ItisinterestingtonotethatatthispointtheGrandTrunknowhasitsSt。Clairtunnel，throughwhichthetrainsarehauledundertheriver-bedbyelectriclocomotives。

EdisonhadnowbegununconsciouslytheroaminganddriftingthattookhimduringthenextfiveyearsallovertheMiddleStates，andthatmightwellhavewreckedthecareerofanyonelesspersistentandindustrious。ItwasaperiodofhislifecorrespondingtotheWanderjahreoftheGermanartisan，andwasaneasywayofgratifyingatastefortravelwithouttheriskofprivation。To-daythereislittletemptationtothetelegraphertogotodistantpartsofthecountryonthechancethathemaysecurealivelihoodatthekey。Theranksarewellfilledeverywhere，andoflateyearsthetelegraphasanartorindustryhasshownrelativelyslightexpansion，owingchieflytothedevelopmentoftelephony。Hence，ifvacanciesoccur，thereareplentyofoperatorsavailable，andsalarieshaveremainedsolowastoleadtooneortwoformidableandcostlystrikesthatunfortunatelytooknoaccountoftheeconomicconditionsofdemandandsupply。ButinthedaysoftheCivilWartherewasagreatdearthofskilfulmanipulatorsofthekey。

AboutfifteenhundredofthebestoperatorsinthecountrywereatthefrontontheFederalsidealone，andseveralhundredmorehadenlisted。Thiscreatedaseriousscarcity，andanomadicoperatorgoingtoanytelegraphiccentrewouldbesuretofindaplaceopenwaitingforhim。Atthecloseofthewaramajorityofthosewhohadbeenwiththetwoopposedarmiesremainedatthekeyundermorepeacefulsurroundings，buttherapiddevelopmentofthecommercialandrailroadsystemsfosteredanewdemand，andthenforatimeitseemedalmostimpossibletotrainnewoperatorsfastenough。Inafewyears，however，thetelephonesprangintovigorousexistence，datingfrom1876，drawingoffsomeofthemostadventurousspiritsfromthetelegraphfield；andthedeterrentinfluenceofthetelephoneonthetelegraphhadmadeitselffeltby1890。TheexpirationoftheleadingBelltelephonepatents，fiveyearslater，accentuatedevenmoresharplythecheckthathadbeenputontelegraphy，ashundredsandthousandsof“independent“telephonecompanieswerethenorganized，throwingavastnetworkoftolllinesoverOhio，Indiana，Illinois，Iowa，andotherStates，andaffordingcheap，instantaneousmeansofcommunicationwithoutanynecessityfortheinterventionofanoperator。

ItwillbeseenthatthetimeshavechangedradicallysinceEdisonbecameatelegrapher，andthatinthisrespectachapterofelectricalhistoryhasbeendefinitelyclosed。Therewasadaywhentheartofferedadistinctcareertoallofitspractitioners，andyoungmenofambitionandgoodfamilywereeagertobeginevenasmessengerboys，andwerereadytoundergoasevereordealofapprenticeshipwiththebeliefthattheycouldultimatelyattainpositionsofresponsibilityandprofit。Atthesametimeoperatorshavealwaysbeenshrewdenoughtoregardthetelegraphasastepping-stonetoothercareersinlife。Abrightfellowenteringthetelegraphserviceto-dayfindstheexperiencehemaygainthereinvaluable，buthesoonrealizesthattherearenotenoughgood-payingofficialpositionsto“goaround，“

soastogiveeachworthymanachanceafterhehasmasteredtheessentialsoftheart。Hefeels，therefore，thattoremainatthekeyinvolveseitherstagnationordeterioration，andthatafter，say，twenty-fiveyearsofpracticehewillhavelostgroundascomparedwithfriendswhostartedoutinotheroccupations。Thecraftofanoperator，learnedwithoutmuchdifficulty，isveryattractivetoayouth，butapositionatthekeyisnoplaceforamanofmatureyears。Hisservices，withrareexceptions，growlessvaluableasheadvancesinageandnervousstrainbreakshimdown。

Onthecontrary，menengagedinotherprofessionsfind，asarule，thattheyimproveandadvancewithexperience，andthatagebringslargerrewardsandopportunities。

Thelistofwell-knownAmericanswhohavebeengraduatesofthekeyisindeedanextraordinaryone，andthereisnodepartmentofournationallifeinwhichtheyhavenotdistinguishedthemselves。Thecontrast，inthisrespect，betweenthemandtheirEuropeancolleaguesishighlysignificant。InEuropethetelegraphsystemsareallundergovernmentmanagement，theoperatorshavestrictlylimitedspheresofpromotion，andatthebestthetransitionfromonekindofemploymenttoanotherisnotmadesoeasilyasintheNewWorld。ButintheUnitedStateswehaveseenRufusBullockbecomeGovernorofGeorgia，andEzraCornellGovernorofNewYork。MarshallJewellwasPostmaster-GeneralofPresidentGrant'sCabinet，andDanielLamontwasSecretaryofStateinPresidentCleveland's。Gen。

T。T。Eckert，past-PresidentoftheWesternUnionTelegraphCompany，wasAssistantSecretaryofWarunderPresidentLincoln；andRobertJ。Wynne，afterwardaconsul-general，servedasAssistantPostmasterGeneral。Averylargeproportionofthepresidentsandleadingofficialsofthegreatrailroadsystemsareoldtelegraphers，includingMessrs。W。C。Brown，PresidentoftheNewYorkCentralRailroad，andMarvinHughitt，PresidentoftheChicago&NorthwesternRailroad。InindustrialandfinanciallifetherehavebeenTheodoreN。Vail，PresidentoftheBelltelephonesystem；L。C。Weir，latePresidentoftheAdamsExpress；A。B。Chandler，PresidentofthePostalTelegraphandCableCompany；SirW。VanHome，identifiedwithCanadiandevelopment；RobertC。Clowry，PresidentoftheWesternUnionTelegraphCompany；D。H。Bates，ManageroftheBaltimore&

OhiotelegraphforRobertGarrett；andAndrewCarnegie，thegreatestironmastertheworldhaseverknown，aswellasitsgreatestphilanthropist。InjournalismtherehavebeenleaderslikeEdwardRose-

water，founderoftheOmahaBee；W。J。Elverson，ofthePhiladelphiaPress；andFrankA。Munsey，publisherofhalfadozenbigmagazines。GeorgeKennanhasachievedfameinliterature，andGuyCarletonandHarrydeSouchethavebeensuccessfulasdramatists。

Thesearebuttypicalofhundredsofmenwhocouldbenamedwhohaverisenfromworkatthekeytobecomerecognizedleadersindifferingspheresofactivity。

Butrovinghasneverbeenfavorabletotheformationofsteadyhabits。Theyoungmenwhothusfloatedaboutthecountryfromonetelegraphofficetoanotherwereoftenbrilliantoperators，notedforspeedinsendingandreceiving，buttheywereundisciplined，werewithouttherestraininginfluencesofhomelife，andweresohighlypaidfortheirworkthattheycouldindulgefreelyindissipationifinclinedthatway。Subjectedtonervoustensionforhourstogetheratthekey，manyofthemunfortunatelytooktodrink，andhavingendedoneengagementinacitybyadebauchthatclosedthedoorsoftheofficetothem，woulddriftawaytothenearesttown，andtheresecuringwork，wouldrepeattheperformance。

Atonetime，indeed，thesemenweresonumerousandsomuchinevidenceastoconstituteatypethatthepublicwasdisposedtoacceptasrepresentativeofthetelegraphicfraternity；butastheconditionscreatinghimceasedtoexist，the“trampoperator“alsopassedintohistory。Itwas，however，amongsuchcharactersthatEdisonwasverylargelythrownintheseearlydaysofaimlessdrifting，tolearnsomethingperhapsoftheirnonchalantphilosophyoflife，sharingbedandboardwiththemunderallkindsofadverseconditions，butalwaysmaintainingastoicabstemiousness，andneverfeelingotherthanakeenregretatthewasteofsomuchgenuineabilityandkindlinessonthepartofthoseknightserrantofthekeywhoseinevitablefatemightsoeasilyhavebeenhisown。

Suchaclassorgroupofmencanalwaysbepresentedbyanindividualtype，andthisisassuredlybestembodiedinMiltonF。Adams，oneofEdison'searliestandclosestfriends，towhomreferencewillbemadeinlaterchapters，andwhoselifehasbeensofullofadventurousepisodesthathemightwellberegardedasthemodernGilBlas。Thatcareeriscertainlywellworththetellingas“anotherstory，“

tousetheKiplingphrase。OfhimEdisonsays：

“Adamswasoneofaclassofoperatorsneversatisfiedtoworkatanyplaceforanygreatlengthoftime。Hehadthe`wanderlust。'AfterenjoyinghospitalityinBostonin1868-69，onthefloorofmyhall-

bedroom，whichwasaparadisefortheentomologist，whiletheboarding-houseitselfwasrunonthebantingsystemoffleshreduction，hecametomeonedayandsaid：`Good-bye，Edison；Ihavegotsixtycents，andIamgoingtoSanFrancisco。'Andhedidgo。

How，Ineverknewpersonally。Ilearnedafterwardthathegotajobthere，andthenwithinaweektheyhadatelegraphers'strike。Hegotabigtorchandsoldpatentmedicineonthestreetsatnighttosupportthestrikers。ThenhewenttoPeruaspartnerofamanwhohadagrizzlybearwhichtheyproposedenteringagainstabullinthebull-ringinthatcity。

Thegrizzlywaskilledinfiveminutes，andsotheschemedied。ThenAdamscrossedtheAndes，andstartedamarket-reportbureauinBuenosAyres。

Thisdidn'tpay，sohestartedarestaurantinPernambuco，Brazil。Therehedidverywell，butsomethingwentwrong(asitalwaysdoestoanomad)，sohewenttotheTransvaal，andranapanoramacalled`ParadiseLost'intheKaffirkraals。Thisdidn'tpay，andhebecametheeditorofanewspaper；thenwenttoEnglandtoraisemoneyforarailroadinCapeColony。NextIheardofhiminNewYork，havingjustarrivedfromBogota，UnitedStatesofColombia，withapowerofattorneyand$2000fromanativeofthatrepublic，whohadappliedforapatentfortighteningabelttopreventitfromslippingonapulley——adevicewhichhethoughtanewandgreatinvention，butwhichwasinuseeversincemachinerywasinvented。IgaveAdams，then，apositionassalesmanforelectricalapparatus。Thishesoongottiredof，andIlostsightofhim。“Adams，inspeakingofthisepisode，saysthatwhenheaskedfortransportationexpensestoSt。Louis，EdisonpulledoutofhispocketaferrytickettoHoboken，andsaidtohisassociates：“I'llgivehimthat，andhe'llgetthereallright。“Thiswasintheearlydaysofelectriclighting；butdowntothepresentmomenttheperegrinationsofthisversatilegeniusofthekeyhaveneverceasedinonehemisphereortheother，sothatasMr。AdamshimselfremarkedtotheauthorsinApril，1908：“Thelifehasbeensomewhatvariegated，butneverdull。“

ThefactremainsalsothatthroughoutthisperiodEdison，whilehimselfaveryIshmael，neverceasedtostudy，explore，experiment。Referringtothisbeginningofhiscareer，hementionsacuriousfactthatthrowslightonhisceaselessapplication。“AfterI

becameatelegraphoperator，“hesays，“Ipracticedforalongtimetobecomearapidreaderofprint，andgotsoexpertIcouldsensethemeaningofawholelineatonce。Thisfaculty，Ibelieve，shouldbetaughtinschools，asitappearstobeeasilyacquired。Thenonecanreadtwoorthreebooksinaday，whereasifeachwordatatimeonlyissensed，readingislaborious。“

CHAPTERV

ARDUOUSYEARSINTHECENTRALWEST

IN1903，whenacceptingthepositionofhonoraryelectriciantotheInternationalExpositionheldinSt。Louisin1904，tocommemoratethecentenaryoftheLouisianaPurchase，Mr。EdisonspokeinhisletteroftheCentralWestasa“regionwhereasayoungtelegraphoperatorIspentmanyarduousyearsbeforemovingEast。“Thetermofprobationthusreferredtodidnotenduntil1868，andwhileitlastedEdison'swanderingscarriedhimfromDetroittoNewOrleans，andtookhim，amongothercities，toIndianapolis，Cincinnati，Louisville，andMemphis，someofwhichhevisitedtwiceinhisperegrinationstosecurework。FromCanada，aftertheepisodesnotedinthelastchapter，hewenttoAdrian，Michigan，andofwhathappenedthereEdisontellsastorytypicalofhiswanderingsforseveralyearstocome。“AfterleavingmyfirstjobatStratfordJunction，IgotapositionasoperatorontheLakeShore&MichiganSouthernatAdrian，Michigan，inthedivisionsuperintendent'soffice。Asusual，Itookthe`nighttrick，'

whichmostoperatorsdisliked，butwhichIpreferred，asitgavememoreleisuretoexperiment。Ihadobtainedfromthestationagentasmallroom，andhadestablishedalittleshopofmyown。Onedaythedayoperatorwantedtogetoff，andIwasonduty。About9o'clockthesuperintendenthandedmeadespatchwhichhesaidwasveryimportant，andwhichImustgetoffatonce。Thewireatthetimewasverybusy，andIaskedifIshouldbreakin。Igotorderstodoso，andactingunderthoseordersofthesuperintendent，Ibrokeinandtriedtosendthedespatch；buttheotheroperatorwouldnotpermitit，andthestrugglecontinuedfortenminutes。FinallyIgotpossessionofthewireandsentthemessage。Thesuperintendentoftelegraph，whothenlivedinAdrianandwenttohisofficeinToledoeveryday，happenedthatdaytobeintheWesternUnionofficeup-town——anditwasthesuperintendentIwasreallystrugglingwith！Inabouttwentyminuteshearrivedlividwithrage，andIwasdischargedonthespot。Iinformedhimthatthegeneralsuperintendenthadtoldmetobreakinandsendthedespatch，butthegeneralsuperintendentthenandthererepudiatedthewholething。Theirfamiliesweresociallyclose，soIwassacrificed。Myfaithinhumannaturegotaslightjar。“

EdisonthenwenttoToledoandsecuredapositionatFortWayne，onthePittsburg，FortWayne&

ChicagoRailroad，nowleasedtothePennsylvaniasystem。Thiswasa“dayjob，“andhedidnotlikeit。HedriftedtwomonthslatertoIndianapolis，arrivingthereinthefallof1864，whenhewasatfirstassignedtodutyattheUnionStationatasalaryof$75amonthfortheWesternUnionTelegraphCompany，whoseservicehenowentered，andwithwhichhehasbeendestinedtomaintainhighlyim-

portentandcloserelationshipsthroughoutalargepartofhislife。SuperintendentWallickappearstohavetreatedhimgenerouslyandtohaveloanedhiminstruments，akindnessthatwasgreatlyappreciated，fortwentyyearslatertheinventorcalledonhisoldemployer，andtogethertheyvisitedthescenewheretheborrowedapparatushadbeenmountedonaroughboardinthedepot。EdisondidnotstaylonginIndianapolis，however，resigninginFebruary，1865，andproceedingtoCincinnati。Thetransferwaspossiblyduetotroublecausedbyoneofhisearlyinventionsembodyingwhathasbeencharacterizedbyanexpertas“probablythemostsimpleandingeniousarrangementofconnectionsforarepeater。“

Hisambitionwastotake“pressreport，“butfinding，evenafterconsiderablepractice，thathe“broke“

frequently，headjustedtwoembossingMorseregisters——onetoreceivethepressmatter，andtheothertorepeatthedotsanddashesatalowerspeed，sothatthemessagecouldbecopiedleisurely。Hencehecouldnotberushedor“broken“inreceiving，whilehecouldturnout“copy“thatwasamarvelofneatnessandclearness。Allwaswellsolongasordinaryconditionsprevailed，butwhenanunusualpressureoccurredthelittlesystemfellbehind，andthenewspaperscomplainedoftheslownesswithwhichreportsweredeliveredtothem。Itiseasytounderstandthatwithmatterreceivedatarateoffortywordsperminuteandworkedoffattwenty-fivewordsperminuteaseriouscongestionordelaywouldresult，andthenewspapersweremoreanxiousforthenewsthantheywereforfinepenmanship。

OfthisdeviceMr。Edisonremarks：“Togetherwetookpressforseveralnights，mycompanionkeepingtheapparatusinadjustmentandIcopying。Theregularpressoperatorwouldgotothetheatreortakeanap，onlyfinishingthereportafter1A。M。Oneofthenewspaperscomplainedofbadcopytowardtheendofthereport——that，isfrom1to3A。M。，andrequestedthattheoperatortakingthereportupto1A。M——whichwasourselves——takeitall，asthecopythenwasperfectlyunobjectionable。Thisledtoaninvestigationbythemanager，andtheschemewasforbidden。

“Thisinstrument，manyyearsafterward，wasappliedbymefortransferringmessagesfromonewiretoanyotherwiresimultaneously，orafteranyintervaloftime。Itconsistedofadiskofpaper，theindentationsbeingformedinavolutespiral，exactlyasinthediskphonographto-day。Itwasthisinstrumentwhichgavemetheideaofthephonographwhileworkingonthetelephone。“

ArrivedinCincinnati，wherehegotemploymentintheWesternUnioncommercialtelegraphdepartmentatawageof$60permonth，EdisonmadetheacquaintanceofMiltonF。Adams，alreadyreferredtoasfacileprincepsthetypicaltelegrapherinallhismoresociableandbrilliantaspects。Speakingofthattime，Mr。Adamssays：“IcanwellrecallwhenEdisondriftedintotakeajob。Hewasayouthofabouteighteenyears，decidedlyunprepossessingindressandratheruncouthinmanner。Iwastwenty-one，andverydudish。Hewasquitethininthosedays，andhisnosewasveryprominent，givingaNapoleoniclooktohisface，althoughthecuriousresemblancedidnotstrikemeatthetime。Theboysdidnottaketohimcheerfully，andhewaslonesome。Isympathizedwithhim，andwebecameclosecompanions。Asanoperatorhehadnosuperiorsandveryfewequals。

Mostofthetimehewasmonkeyingwiththebatteriesandcircuits，anddevisingthingstomaketheworkoftelegraphylessirksome。Healsorelievedthemonotonyofoffice-workbyfittingupthebatterycircuitstoplayjokesonhisfellow-operators，andtodealwiththeverminthatinfestedthepremises。Hearrangedinthecellarwhathecalledhis`ratparalyzer，'averysimplecontrivanceconsistingoftwoplatesinsulatedfromeachotherandconnectedwiththemainbattery。

Theyweresoplacedthatwhenaratpassedoverthemtheforefeetontheoneplateandthehindfeetontheothercompletedthecircuitandtheratdepartedthislife，electrocuted。“

ShortlyafterEdison'sarrivalatCincinnaticamethecloseoftheCivilWarandtheassassinationofPresidentLincoln。Itwasnaturalthattelegraphersshouldtakeanintenseinterestinthegeneralstruggle，fornotonlydidtheyhandleallthenewsrelatingtoit，butmanyofthemwereatonetimeoranotherpersonalparticipants。Forexample，oneoftheoperatorsintheCincinnatiofficewasGeorgeEllsworth，whowastelegrapherforMorgan，thefamousSouthernGuerrilla，andwaswithhimwhenhemadehisraidintoOhioandwascapturednearthePennsylvanialine。EllsworthhimselfmadeanarrowescapebyswimmingtheOhioRiverwiththeaidofanarmymule。Yetwecanwellappreciatetheunimpression-

ablewayinwhichsomeofthemendidtheirwork，fromananecdotethatMr。EdisontellsofthatawfulnightofFriday，April14，1865：“Inoticed，“hesays，“animmensecrowdgatheringinthestreetoutsideanewspaperoffice。Icalledtheattentionoftheotheroperatorstothecrowd，andwesentamessengerboytofindthecauseoftheexcitement。Hereturnedinafewminutesandshouted`Lincoln'sshot。'Instinctivelytheoperatorslookedfromonefacetoanothertoseewhichmanhadreceivedthenews。Allthefaceswereblank，andeverymansaidhehadnottakenawordabouttheshooting。`Lookoveryourfiles，'saidthebosstothemanhandlingthepressstuff。Forafewmomentswewaitedinsuspense，andthenthemanheldupasheetofpapercontainingashortaccountoftheshootingofthePresident。Theoperatorhadworkedsomechanicallythathehadhandledthenewswithouttheslightestknowledgeofitssignificance。“Mr。Adamssaysthatatthetimethecitywasenfeteonaccountofthecloseofthewar，thenameoftheassassinwasreceivedbytelegraph，anditwasnotedwithathrillofhorrorthatitwasthatofabrotherofEdwinBoothandofJuniusBrutusBooth——thelatterofwhomwasthenplayingattheoldNationalTheatre。Boothwashurriedawayintoseclusion，andthenextmorningthecitythathadbeensogayovernightwithbuntingwasdrapedwithmourning。

Edison'sdiversionsinCincinnatiwerechieflythosealreadyobserved。Hereadagreatdeal，butspentmostofhisleisureinexperiment。Mr。Adamsremarks：

“EdisonandIwereveryfondoftragedy。

ForrestandJohnMcCulloughwereplayingattheNationalTheatre，andwhenourcapitalwassufficientwewouldgotoseethoseeminenttragediansalternateinOthelloandIago。EdisonalwaysenjoyedOthellogreatly。AsidefromanoccasionalvisittotheLoewenGarden`overtheRhine，'withaglassofbeerandafewpretzels，consumedwhilelisteningtotheexcellentmusicofaGermanband，thetheatrewasthesumandsubstanceofourinnocentdissipation。“

TheCincinnatioffice，asacentralpoint，appearstohavebeenattractivetomanyofthecleveryoungoperatorswhograduatedfromittopositionsoflargerresponsibility。Someofthemwereconspicuousfortheirskillandversatility。Mr。Adamstellsthisinterestingstoryasanillustration：“L。C。Weir，orCharlie，ashewasknown，atthattimeagentfortheAdamsExpressCompany，hadtheremarkableabilityoftakingmessagesandcopyingthemtwenty-fivewordsbehindthesender。Onedayhecameintotheoperating-

room，andpassingatableheheardLouisvillecallingCincinnati。Hereachedovertothekeyandansweredthecall。Myattentionwasarrestedbythefactthathewalkedoffafterresponding，andthesenderhappenedtobeagoodone。Weircoollyaskedforapen，andwhenhesatdownthesenderwasjustonemessageaheadofhimwithdate，address，andsignature。Charliestartedin，andinabeautiful，large，roundhandcopiedthatmessage。Thesenderwentrightalong，andwhenhefinishedwithsixmessagesclosedhiskey。WhenWeirhaddonewiththelastonethesenderbegantothinkthatafteralltherehadbeennoreceiver，asWeirdidnot`break，'butsimplygavehisO。K。HeafterwardbecamepresidentoftheAdamsExpress，andwascertainlyawonderfuloperator。“Theoperating-roomreferredtowasonthefifthfloorofthebuildingwithnoelevators。

Thoseweretheearlydaysoftradeunionismintelegraphy，andthemovementwillprobablyneverquitedieoutinthecraftwhichhasalwaysshownsomuchsolidarity。WhileEdisonwasinCincinnatiadelegationoffiveunionoperatorswentoverfromClevelandtoformalocalbranch，andtheoccasionwasoneofgreatconviviality。Nightcame，buttheunionistswereconspicuousbytheirabsence，althoughmorecircuitsthanonewereintolerantofdelayandclamorousforattention——eightlocalunionistsbeingaway。TheClevelandreportwirewasinspecialneed，andEdison，almostaloneintheoffice，devotedhimselftoitallthroughthenightanduntil3o'clockthenextmorning，whenhewasrelieved。

Hehadpreviouslybeengetting$80amonth，andhadekedthisoutbycopyingplaysforthetheatre。

Hisratingwasthatofa“plug“orinferioroperator；

buthewasdeterminedtolifthimselfintotheclassoffirst-classoperators，andhadkeptupthepracticeofgoingtotheofficeatnightto“copypress，“actingwillinglyasasubstituteforanyoperatorwhowantedtogetoffforafewhours——whichoftenmeantallnight。Speakingofthisspecialordeal，forwhichhehadthusbeenunconsciouslypreparing，Edisonsays：

“Mycopylookedfineifviewedasawhole，asIcouldwriteaperfectlystraightlineacrossthewidesheet，whichwasnotruled。Therewerenoflourishes，buttheindividualletterswouldnotbearcloseinspection。

WhenImissedunderstandingaword，therewasnotimetothinkwhatitwas，soImadeanillegibleonetofillin，trustingtotheprinterstosenseit。Iknewtheycouldreadanything，althoughMr。Bloss，aneditoroftheInquirer，madesuchbadcopythatoneofhiseditorialswaspasteduponthenotice-boardinthetelegraphofficewithanofferofonedollartoanymanwhocould`readtwentyconsecutivewords。'Nobodyeverdidit。WhenIgotthroughIwastoonervoustogohome，sowaitedtherestofthenightforthedaymanager，Mr。Stevens，toseewhatwastobetheoutcomeofthisUnionformationandofmyefforts。Hewasanaustereman，andIwasafraidofhim。Igotthemorningpapers，whichcameoutat4A。M。，andthepressreportreadperfectly，whichsurprisedmegreatly。IwenttoworkonmyregulardaywiretoPortsmouth，Ohio，andtherewasconsiderableexcitement，butnothingwassaidtome，neitherdidMr。Stevensexaminethecopyontheofficehook，whichIwaswatchingwithgreatinterest。

However，about3P。M。hewenttothehook，grabbedthebunchandlookedatitasawholewithoutexaminingitindetail，forwhichIwasthankful。Thenhejabbeditbackonthehook，andIknewIwasallright。Hewalkedovertome，andsaid：`Youngman，IwantyoutoworktheLouisvillewirenights；

yoursalarywillbe$125。'ThusIgotfromtheplugclassificationtothatofa`first-classman。'“

Butnosoonerwasthispromotionsecuredthanhestartedagainonhiswanderingssouthward，whilehisfriendAdamswentNorth，neitherhavinganydifficultyinmakingthetrip。“Theboysinthosedayshadextraordinaryfacilitiesfortravel。Asausualthingitwasonlynecessaryforthemtoboardatrainandtelltheconductortheywereoperators。Thentheywouldgoasfarastheyliked。Thenumberofoperatorswassmall，andtheywereindemandeverywhere。“ItwasinthiswayEdisonmadehiswaysouthasfarasMemphis，Tennessee，wherethetelegraphserviceatthattimewasundermilitarylaw，althoughtheoperatorsreceived$125amonth。HereagainEdisonbegantoinventandimproveonexistingapparatus，withtheresultofhavingoncemoreto“moveon。“Thestorymaybetoldinhisownterselanguage：“Iwasnottheinventoroftheautorepeater，butwhileinMemphisIworkedonone。

Learningthatthechiefoperator，whowasaprotegeofthesuperintendent，wastryinginsomewaytoputNewYorkandNewOrleanstogetherforthefirsttimesincethecloseofthewar，Iredoubledmyefforts，andat2o'clockonemorningIhadthemspeakingtoeachother。TheofficeoftheMemphisAvalanchewasinthesamebuilding。Thepapergotwindofitandsentmessages。Acolumncameoutinthemorningaboutit；butwhenIwenttotheofficeintheafternoontoreportfordutyIwasdischargedwithoutexplanation。ThesuperintendentwouldnotevengivemeapasstoNashville，soIhadtopaymyfare。

IhadsolittlemoneyleftthatInearlystarvedatDecatur，Alabama，andhadtostaythreedaysbeforegoingonnorthtoNashville。Arrivedinthatcity，I

wenttothetelegraphoffice，gotmoneyenoughtobuyalittlesolidfood，andsecuredapasstoLouisville。

Ihadacompanionwithmewhowasalsooutofajob。IarrivedatLouisvilleonabitterlycoldday，withiceinthegutters。Iwaswearingalinendusterandwasnotmuchtolookat，butgotapositionatonce，workingonapresswire。Mytravellingcompanionwaslesssuccessfulonaccountofhis`record。'Theyhadalimiteveninthosedayswhenthetelegraphservicewassodemoralized。“

SomereminiscencesofMr。Edisonareofinterestasbearingnotonlyuponthe“demoralized“telegraphservice，buttheconditionsfromwhichtheNewSouthhadtoemergewhileworkingoutitssalvation。“Thetelegraphwasstillundermilitarycontrol，nothavingbeenturnedovertotheoriginalowners，theSouthernTelegraphCompany。Inadditiontotheregularforce，therewasanextraforceoftwoorthreeoperators，andsomestrandedones，whowereaburdentous，forboardwashigh。Oneofthesederelictswasagreatsourceofworrytome，personally。Hewouldcomeinatallhoursandeitherthrowinkaroundormakealotofnoise。Onenighthebuiltafireinthegrateandstartedtothrowpistolcartridgesintotheflames。Thesewouldexplode，andIwastwicehitbythebullets，whichleftablack-and-

bluemark。Anothernighthecameinandgotfromsomepartofthebuildingalotofstationerywith`ConfederateStates'printedatthehead。Hewasafineoperator，andwroteabeautifulhand。Hewouldtakeasheetofthispaper，writecapital`A，andthentakeanothersheetandmakethe`A'differently；

andsoonthroughthealphabet；eachtimecrumplingthepaperupinhishandandthrowingitonthefloor。Hewouldkeepthisupuntiltheroomwasfillednearlyflushwiththetable。Thenhewouldquit。

“Everythingatthattimewas`wideopen。'

Disorganizationreignedsupreme。Therewasnoheadtoanything。Atnightmyselfandacompanionwouldgoovertoagorgeouslyfurnishedfaro-bankandgetourmidnightlunch。Everythingwasfree。Therewereovertwentykeno-roomsrunning。OneofthemthatIvisitedwasinaBaptistchurch，themanwiththewheelbeinginthepulpit，andthegamblersinthepews。

“WhiletherethemanagerofthetelegraphofficewasarrestedforsomethingIneverunderstood，andincarceratedinamilitaryprisonabouthalfamilefromtheoffice。Thebuildingwasinplainsightfromtheoffice，andfourstorieshigh。Hewaskeptstrictlyincommunicado。Oneday，thinkinghemightbeconfinedinaroomfacingtheoffice，Iputmyarmoutofthewindowandkeptsignallingdotsanddashesbythemovementofthearm。Itriedthisseveraltimesfortwodays。Finallyhenoticedit，andputtinghisarmthroughthebarsofthewindowheestablishedcommunicationwithme。Hethussentseveralmessagestohisfriends，andwasafterwardsetfree。“

AnothercuriousstorytoldbyEdisonconcernsafellow-operatoronnightdutyatChattanoogaJunction，atthetimehewasatMemphis：“WhenitwasreportedthatHoodwasmarchingonNashville，onenightaJewcameintotheofficeabout11o'clockingreatexcitement，havingheardtheHoodrumor。He，beingalargesutler，wantedtosendamessagetosavehisgoods。Theoperatorsaiditwasimpossible——thatordershadbeengiventosendnoprivatemessages。

ThentheJewwantedtobribemyfriend，whosteadfastlyrefusedforthereason，ashetoldtheJew，thathemightbecourt-martialledandshot。FinallytheJewgotupto$800。Theoperatorsworehimtosecrecyandsentthemessage。Nowtherewasnosuchorderaboutprivatemessages，andtheJew，findingitout，complainedtoCaptainVanDuzer，chiefoftelegraphs，whoinvestigatedthematter，andwhilehewouldnotdischargetheoperator，laidhimoffindefinitely。VanDuzerwassolenientthatifanoperatorweredischarged，alltheoperatorhadtodowastowaitthreedaysandthengoandsitonthestoopofVanDuzer'sofficeallday，andhewouldbetakenback。ButVanDuzersworehewouldnevergiveininthiscase。Hesaidthatiftheoperatorhadtaken$800andsentthemessageattheregularrate，whichwastwenty-fivecents，itwouldhavebeenallright，astheJewwouldbepunishedfortryingtobribeamilitaryoperator；butwhentheoperatortookthe$800andthensentthemessagedeadhead，hecouldn'tstandit，andhewouldneverrelent。“

AthirdtypicalstoryofthisperioddealswithaciphermessageforThomas。Mr。Edisonnarratesitasfollows：“WhenIwasanoperatorinCincinnatiworkingtheLouisvillewirenightsforatime，onenightamanoveronthePittsburgwireyelledout：

`D。I。cipher，'whichmeantthattherewasaciphermessagefromtheWarDepartmentatWashingtonandthatitwascoming——andheyelledout`Louisville。'

Istartedimmediatelytocallupthatplace。

Itwasjustatthechangeofshiftintheoffice。I

couldnotgetLouisville，andtheciphermessagebegantocome。ItwastakenbytheoperatorontheothertabledirectfromtheWarDepartment。ItwasforGeneralThomas，atNashville。IcalledforabouttwentyminutesandnotifiedthemthatIcouldnotgetLouisville。Ikeptatitforaboutfifteenminuteslonger，andnotifiedthemthattherewasstillnoanswerfromLouisville。TheythennotifiedtheWarDepartmentthattheycouldnotgetLouisville。Thenwetriedtogetitbyallkindsofroundaboutways，butinnocasecouldanybodygetthematthatoffice。

SoonamessagecamefromtheWarDepartmenttosendimmediatelyforthemanageroftheCincinnatioffice。Hewasbroughttotheofficeandseveralmessageswereexchanged，thecontentsofwhich，ofcourse，Ididnotknow，butthematterappearedtobeveryserious，astheywereafraidofGeneralHood，oftheConfederateArmy，whowasthenattemptingtomarchonNashville；anditwasveryimportantthatthiscipherofabouttwelvehundredwordsorsoshouldbegotthroughimmediatelytoGeneralThomas。I

keptoncallingupto12or1o'clock，butnoLouisville。

About1o'clocktheoperatorattheIndianapolisofficegotholdofanoperatoronawirewhichranfromIndianapolistoLouisvillealongtherailroad，whohappenedtocomeintohisoffice。Hearrangedwiththisoperatortogetarelayofhorses，andthemessagewassentthroughIndianapolistothisoperatorwhohadengagedhorsestocarrythedespatchestoLouisvilleandfindoutthetrouble，andgetthedespatchesthroughwithoutdelaytoGeneralThomas。

Inthosedaysthetelegraphfraternitywasratherdemoralized，andthedisciplinewasverylax。ItwasfoundoutacoupleofdaysafterwardthattherewerethreenightoperatorsatLouisville。OneofthemhadgoneovertoJeffersonvilleandhadfallenoffahorseandbrokenhisleg，andwasinahospital。Byaremarkablecoincidenceanotherofthemenhadbeenstabbedinakeno-room，andwasalsoinhospitalwhilethethirdoperatorhadgonetoCynthianatoseeamanhangedandhadgotleftbythetrain。“

IthinkthemostimportantlineofinvestigationistheproductionofElectricitydirectfromcarbon。

EdisonYoungEdisonremainedinLouisvilleforabouttwoyears，quitealongstayforonewithsuchnomadicinstincts。Itwastherethatheperfectedthepeculiarverticalstyleofwritingwhich，beginningwithhimintelegraphy，laterbecamesomuchofafadwithteachersofpenmanshipandintheschools。Hesaysofthisformofwriting，acurrentexampleofwhichisgivenabove：

“IdevelopedthisstyleinLouisvillewhiletakingpressreports。Mywirewasconnectedtothe`blind'sideofarepeateratCincinnati，sothatifImissedawordorsentence，orifthewireworkedbadly，Icouldnotbreakinandgetthelastwords，becausetheCincinnatimanhadnoinstrumentbywhichhecouldhearme。Ihadtotakewhatcame。WhenIgotthejob，thecableacrosstheOhioRiveratCovington，connectingwiththelinetoLouisville，hadavariableleakinit，whichcausedthestrengthofthesignallingcurrenttomakeviolentfluctuations。Iobviatedthisbyusingseveralrelays，eachwithadifferentadjustment，workingseveralsoundersallconnectedwithonesounding-plate。Theclatterwasbad，butIcouldreaditwithfairease。When，inadditiontothisinfernalleak，thewiresnorthtoClevelandworkedbadly，itrequiredalargeamountofimaginationtogetthesenseofwhatwasbeingsent。Animaginationrequiresanappreciabletimeforitsexercise，andasthestuffwascomingattherateofthirty-fivetofortywordsaminute，itwasverydifficulttowritedownwhatwascomingandimaginewhatwasn'tcoming。

Henceitwasnecessarytobecomeaveryrapidwriter，soIstartedtofindthefasteststyle。Ifoundthattheverticalstyle，witheachletterseparateandwithoutanyflourishes，wasthemostrapid，andthatthesmallertheletterthegreatertherapidity。AsItookonanaveragefromeighttofifteencolumnsofnewsreporteveryday，itdidnottakelongtoperfectthismethod。“Mr。Edisonhasadheredtothischaracteristicstyleofpenmanshipdowntothepresenttime。

Asamatteroffact，theconditionsatLouisvilleatthattimewerenotmuchbetterthantheyhadbeenatMemphis。Thetelegraphoperating-roomwasinadeplorablecondition。Itwasonthesecondstoryofadilapidatedbuildingontheprincipalstreetofthecity，withthebattery-roomintherear；behindwhichwastheofficeoftheagentoftheAssociatedPress。Theplasteringwasaboutone-thirdgonefromtheceiling。Asmallstove，usedoccasionallyinthewinter，wasconnectedtothechimneybyatortuouspipe。Theofficewasnevercleaned。Theswitchboardformanipulatingthewireswasaboutthirty-

fourinchessquare。Thebrassconnectionsonitwereblackwithageandwiththearcingeffectsoflightning，which，toyoungEdison，seemedparticularlypartialtoLouisville。“Itwouldstrikeonthewires，“hesays，“withanexplosionlikeacannon-shot，makingthatofficenoplaceforanoperatorwithheart-disease。“

Aroundthedingywallswereadozentables，theendsnexttothewall。Theywereaboutthesizeofthoseseeninold-fashionedcountryhotelsforholdingthewash-bowlandpitcher。Thecopperwiresconnectingtheinstrumentstotheswitchboardweresmall，crystallized，androtten。Thebattery-roomwasfilledwitholdrecord-booksandmessagebundles，andonehundredcellsofnitric-acidbattery，arrangedonastandinthecentreoftheroom。Thisstand，aswellasthefloor，wasalmosteatenthroughbythedestructiveactionofthepowerfulacid。Grimanduncompromisingasthedescriptionreads，itwastypicaloftheequipmentinthoseremotedaysofthetelegraphatthecloseofthewar。

Illustrativeofthelengthtowhichtelegrapherscouldgoatatimewhentheyweresomuchinde-

mand，Edisontellsthefollowingstory：“WhenItookthepositiontherewasagreatshortageofoperators。

Onenightat2A。M。anotheroperatorandIwereonduty。Iwastakingpressreport，andtheothermanwasworkingtheNewYorkwire。Weheardaheavytramp，tramp，tramponthericketystairs。Suddenlythedoorwasthrownopenwithgreatviolence，dislodgingitfromoneofthehinges。Thereappearedinthedoorwayoneofthebestoperatorswehad，whoworkeddaytime，andwhowasofaveryquietdispositionexceptwhenintoxicated。Hewasagreatfriendofthemanageroftheoffice。Hiseyeswerebloodshotandwild，andonesleevehadbeentornawayfromhiscoat。Withoutnoticingeitherofushewentuptothestoveandkickeditover。Thestove-pipefell，dislocatedateveryjoint。Itwashalffullofexceedinglyfinesoot，whichfloatedoutandfilledtheroomcompletely。Thisproducedamomentaryrespitetohislabors。Whentheatmospherehadclearedsufficientlytosee，hewentaroundandpulledeverytableawayfromthewall，pilingthemontopofthestoveinthemiddleoftheroom。

Thenheproceededtopulltheswitchboardawayfromthewall。Itwasheldtightlybyscrews。Hesucceeded，finally，andwhenitgavewayhefellwiththeboard，andstrikingonatablecuthimselfsothathesoonbecamecoveredwithblood。Hethenwenttothebattery-roomandknockedallthebatteriesoffonthefloor。Thenitricacidsoonbegantocombinewiththeplasterintheroombelow，whichwasthepublicreceiving-roomformessengersandbookkeepers。

Theexcessacidpouredthroughandateuptheaccount-books。Afterhavingfinishedeverythingtohissatisfaction，heleft。Itoldtheotheroperatortodonothing。Wewouldleavethingsjustastheywere，andwaituntilthemanagercame。Inthemeantime，asIknewallthewirescomingthroughtotheswitchboard，IriggedupatemporarysetofinstrumentssothattheNewYorkbusinesscouldbeclearedup，andwealsogottheremainderofthepressmatter。

At7o'clockthedaymenbegantoappear。Theyweretoldtogodown-stairsandwaitthecomingofthemanager。At8o'clockheappeared，walkedaround，wentintothebattery-room，andthencametome，saying：`Edison，whodidthis？'ItoldhimthatBillyL。hadcomeinfullofsoda-waterandinventedtheruinbeforehim。Hewalkedbackwardandforward，aboutaminute，thencominguptomytableputhisfistdown，andsaid：`IfBillyL。everdoesthatagain，Iwilldischargehim。'Itwasneedlesstosaythattherewereotheroperatorswhotookadvantageofthatkindofdiscipline，andIhadmanycallsatnightafterthat，butnonewithsuchdestructiveeffects。“

ThiswasoneaspectoflifeasitpresenteditselftothesensitiveandobservantyoungoperatorinLouisville。

Buttherewasanother，moreintellectualside，inthecontactaffordedwithjournalismanditsleaders，andtheinformationtakeninalmostunconsciouslyastothepoliticalandsocialmovementsofthetime。

Mr。Edisonlooksbackonthiswithgreatsatisfaction。

“Iremember，“hesays，“thediscussionsbetweenthecelebratedpoetandjournalistGeorgeD。Prentice，theneditoroftheCourier-Journal，andMr。Tyler，oftheAssociatedPress。IbelievePrenticewasthefatherofthehumorousparagraphoftheAmericannewspaper。Hewaspoetic，highlyeducated，andabrillianttalker。Hewasverythinandsmall。Idonotthinkheweighedoveronehundredandtwentyfivepounds。TylerwasagraduateofHarvard，andhadaveryclearenunciation，and，insharpcontrasttoPrentice，hewasalargeman。Afterthepaperhadgonetopress，PrenticewouldgenerallycomeovertoTyler'sofficeandstarttalking。HavingwhileinTyler'sofficeheardthemarguingontheimmortalityofthesoul，etc。，IaskedpermissionofMr。Tylerif，afterfinishingthepressmatter，Imightcomeinandlistentotheconversation，whichIdidmanytimesafter。OnethingInevercouldcomprehendwasthatTylerhadasideboardwithliquorsandgenerallycrackers。Prenticewouldpourouthalfaglassofwhattheycallcornwhiskey，andwoulddipthecrackersinitandeatthem。Tylertookitsansfood。

Oneteaspoonfulofthatstuffwouldputmetosleep。“

Mr。Edisonthrowsalsoacuriousside-lightontheoriginofthecomiccolumninthemodernAmericannewspaper，thetelegraphgivingtoanewjokeoragoodstorytheubiquityandinstantaneityofanimportanthistoricalevent。“Itwasthepracticeofthepressoperatorsalloverthecountryatthattime，whenalulloccurred，tostartinandsendjokesorstoriesthedaymenhadcollected；andthesewerecopiedandpasteduponthebulletin-board。Clevelandwastheoriginatingofficefor`press，'whichitreceivedfromNewYork，andsentitoutsimultaneouslytoMilwaukee，Chicago，Toledo，Detroit，Pittsburg，Columbus，Dayton，Cincinnati，Indianapolis，Vincennes，TerreHaute，St。Louis，andLouisville。

ClevelandwouldcallfirstonMilwaukee，ifhehadanything。Ifso，hewouldsendit，andClevelandwouldrepeatittoallofus。Thusanyjokeorstoryoriginatinganywhereinthatareawasknownthenextdayallover。Thepressmenwouldcomeinandcopyanythingwhichcouldbepublished，whichwasaboutthreepercent。Icollected，too，quitealargescrap-bookofit，butunfortunatelyhavelostit。“

Edisontellsanamusingstoryofhisownpursuitsatthistime。Alwaysanomnivorousreader，hehadsomedifficultyingettingasufficientquantityofliteratureforhomeconsumption，andwasinthehabitofbuyingbooksatauctionsandsecond-handstores。

Onedayatanauction-roomhesecuredastackoftwentyunboundvolumesoftheNorthAmericanReviewfortwodollars。Thesehehadboundanddeliveredatthetelegraphoffice。Onemorning，whenhewasfreeasusualat3o'clock，hestartedoffatarapidpacewithtenvolumesonhisshoulder。Hefoundhimselfverysoonthesubjectofafusillade。

Whenhestopped，abreathlesspolicemangrabbedhimbythethroatandorderedhimtodrophisparcelandexplainmatters，asasuspiciouscharacter。Heopenedthepackageshowingthebooks，somewhattothedisgustoftheofficer，whoimaginedhehadcaughtaburglarsneakingawayinthedarkalleywithhisbooty。Edisonexplainedthatbeingdeafhehadheardnochallenge，andthereforehadkeptmoving；

andthepolicemanremarkedapologeticallythatitwasfortunateforEdisonhewasnotabettershot。

Theincidentiscuriouslyrevelatoryofthecharacteroftheman，foritmustbeadmittedthatwhileliterarytelegraphersarebynomeansscarce，thereareveryfewwhowouldspendscantsavingsonbacknumbersofaponderousreviewatanagewhentragedy，beer，andpretzelsarefarmoreenticing。ThroughallhistravelsEdisonhaspreservedthosebooks，andhasthemnowinhislibraryatLlewellynPark，onOrangeMountain，NewJersey。

DriftingafteratimefromLouisville，EdisonmadehiswayasfarnorthasDetroit，but，likethefamousDukeofYork，soonmadehiswaybackagain。Possiblythesevererdisciplineafterthehappy-go-luckyregimeintheSoutherncityhadsomethingtodowiththisrestlessness，whichagainmanifesteditself，however，onhisreturnthither。TheendofthewarhadlefttheSouthasceneofdestructionanddesolation，andmanymenwhohadfoughtbravelyandwellfoundithardtoreconcilethemselvestothegrimtaskofreconstruction。Tothemitseemedbetterto“letillalone“andseeksomeotherclimewhereconditionswouldbelessonerous。AtthismomentagreatdealofexaggeratedtalkwascurrentastothesunnylifeandeasywealthofLatinAmerica，andunderitsinfluencesmany“unreconstructed“SouthernersmadetheirwaytoMexico，Brazil，Peru，ortheArgentine。Telegraphoperatorswerenaturallyintouchwiththismovement，andEdison'sfertileimaginationwasreadilyinflamedbytheglowingideaofallthesevaguepossibilities。Againhethrewuphissteadyworkand，withacoupleofsanguineyoungfriends，madehiswaytoNewOrleans。TheyhadthenotionoftakingpositionsintheBrazilianGovernmenttelegraphs，asanadvertisementhadbeeninsertedinsomepaperstatingthatoperatorswerewanted。TheyhadtimedtheirdeparturefromLouisvillesoastocatchaspeciallycharteredsteamer，whichwastoleaveNewOrleansforBrazilonacertainday，toconveyalargenumberofConfederatesandtheirfamilies，whoweredisgustedwiththeUnitedStatesandweregoingtosettleinBrazil，whereslaverystillprevailed。EdisonandhisfriendsarrivedinNewOrleansjustatthetimeofthegreatriot，whenseveralhundrednegroeswerekilled，andthecitywasinthehandsofamob。TheGovernmenthadseizedthesteamercharteredforBrazil，inordertobringtroopsfromtheYazooRivertoNewOrleanstostoptherioting。Theyoungoperatorsthereforevisitedanothershipping-officetomakeinquiriesastovesselsforBrazil，andencounteredanoldSpaniardwhosatinachairnearthesteameragent'sdesk，andtowhomtheyexplainedtheirintentions。HehadlivedandworkedinSouthAmerica，andwasveryemphaticinhisassertion，asheshookhisyellow，bonyfingeratthem，thattheworstmistaketheycouldpossiblymakewouldbetoleavetheUnitedStates。

Hewouldnotleaveonanyaccount，andtheyasyoungAmericanswouldalwaysregretitiftheyforsooktheirnativeland，whosefreedom，climate，andopportunitiescouldnotbeequalledanywhereonthefaceoftheglobe。Suchsincereadviceasthiscouldnotbedisdained，andEdisonmadehiswayNorthagain。OnecannotresistspeculationastowhatmighthavehappenedtoEdisonhimselfandtothedevelop-

mentofelectricityhadhemadethisproposedplungeintotheenervatingtropics。ItwillberememberedthatatasomewhatsimilarcrisisinlifeyoungRobertBurnsentertainedseriouslytheideaofforsakingScotlandfortheWestIndies。ThathedidnotgowascertainlybetterforScottishverse，towhichhecontributedlatersomanyimmortallines；anditwasprobablybetterforhimself，evenifhediedagauger。

ItissimplyimpossibletoimagineEdisonworkingoutthephonograph，telephone，andincandescentlampunderthetropicalclimeshesought。SomeyearslaterhewasinformedthatbothhiscompanionshadgonetoVeraCruz，Mexico，andhaddiedthereofyellowfever。

WorkwassoonresumedatLouisville，wherethedilapidatedoldofficeoccupiedatthecloseofthewarhadbeenexchangedforonemuchmorecomfortableandluxuriousinitsequipment。Asbefore，Edisonwasallottedtopressreport，andremembersverydistinctlytakingthePresidentialmessageandvetooftheDistrictofColumbiabillbyPresidentJohnson。

Asthematterwasreceivedoverthewireheparagrapheditsothateachprinterhadexactlythreelines，thusenablingthemattertobesetupveryexpeditiouslyinthenewspaperoffices。Thisearnedhimthegratitudeoftheeditors，adinner，andallthenewspaper“exchanges“hewanted。Edison'saccountsofthespreesanddebauchesofothernightoperatorsinthelooselymanagedofficesenableonetounderstandhowevenalittlesteadyapplicationtotheworkinhandwouldbeappreciated。OnoneoccasionEdisonactedastreasurerforhisbibulouscompanions，holdingthestakes，sotospeak，inorderthatthesupplyofliquormightlastlonger。Oneofthemildestmanneredofthepartytookumbrageattheparsimonyofthetreasurerandknockedhimdown，whereupontheothersinthepartysetupontheassailantandmauledhimsobadlythathehadtospendthreeweeksinhospital。Atanothertimetwoofhiscompanionssharingthetemporaryhospitalityofhisroomsmashedmostofthefurniture，andwenttobedwiththeirbootson。Thenhiskindlygood-naturerebelled。“Ifeltthatthiswasrunninghospitalityintotheground，soIpulledthemoutandleftthemonthefloortocoolofffromtheiralcoholictrance。“

EdisonseemsonthewholetohavebeenfairlycomfortableandhappyinLouisville，surroundinghimselfwithbooksandexperimentalapparatus，andeveninditingatreatiseonelectricity。Buthisverythirstforknowledgeandnewfactsagainprovedhisundoing。

Theinstrumentsinthehandsomenewofficeswerefastenedintheirproperplaces，andoperatorswerestrictlyforbiddentoremovethem，ortousethebatteriesexceptonregularwork。ThisprohibitionmeantlittletoEdison，whohadaccesstonootherinstrumentsexceptthoseofthecompany。“Iwentonenight，“hesays，“intothebattery-roomtoobtainsomesulphuricacidforexperimenting。Thecarboytippedover，theacidranout，wentthroughtothemanager'sroombelow，andateuphisdeskandallthecarpet。ThenextmorningIwassummonedbeforehim，andtoldthatwhatthecompanywantedwasoperators，notexperimenters。Iwasatlibertytotakemypayandgetout。“

ThefactthatEdisonisaverystudiousman，aninsatiateloverandreaderofbooks，iswellknowntohisassociates；butsurpriseisoftenexpressedathisfundofmiscellaneousinformation。This，itwillbeseen，ispartlyexplainedbyhisworkforyearsasa“press“reporter。Hesaysofthis：“ThesecondtimeIwasinLouisville，theyhadmovedintoanewoffice，andthedisciplinewasnowgood。Itookthepressjob。Infact，Iwasaverypoorsender，andthereforemadethetakingofpressreportaspecialty。

Thenewspapermenallowedmetocomeoveraftergoingtopressat3A。M。andgetalltheexchangesI

wanted。TheseIwouldtakehomeandlayatthefootofmybed。Ineversleptmorethanfourorfivehours'sothatIwouldawakeatnineortenandreadthesepapersuntildinner-time。Ithuskeptposted，andknewfromtheiractivityeverymemberofCongress，andwhatcommitteestheywereon；andallaboutthetopicaldoings，aswellasthepricesofbreadstuffsinalltheprimarymarkets。Iwasinamuchbetterpositionthanmostoperatorstocallonmyimaginationtosupplymissingwordsorsentences，whichwerefrequentinthosedaysofold，rottenwires，badlyinsulated，especiallyonstormynights。

UponsuchoccasionsIhadtosupplyinsomecasesone-fifthofthewholematter——pureguessing——butI

gotcaughtonlyonce。TherehadbeensomekindofconventioninVirginia，inwhichJohnMinorBottswastheleadingfigure。Therewasgreatexcitementaboutit，andtwovoteshadbeentakenintheconventiononthetwodays。Therewasnodoubtthatthevotethenextdaywouldgoacertainway。A

verybadstormcameupabout10o'clock，andmywireworkedverybadly。Thentherewasacessationofallsignals；thenImadeoutthewords`MinorBotts。'ThenextwasaNewYorkitem。Ifilledinaparagraphabouttheconventionandhowthevotehadgone，asIwassureitwould。ButnextdayI

learnedthatinsteadoftherebeingavotetheconventionhadadjournedwithoutactionuntilthedayafter。“Inlikemanner，itwasatLouisvillethatMr。

Edisongotaninsightintothemannerinwhichgreatpoliticalspeechesaremorefrequentlyreportedthanthepublicsuspects。“TheAssociatedPresshadashorthandmantravellingwithPresidentJohnsonwhenhemadehiscelebratedswingaroundthecircleinaprivatetraindeliveringhotspeechesindefenceofhisconduct。Themanengagedmetowriteoutthenotesfromhisreading。Hecameinloadedandonthevergeofincoherence。Westartedin，butabouteverytwominutesIwouldhavetoscratchoutwholeparagraphsandinsertthesamethingssaidinanotherandbetterway。Hewouldfrequentlychangewords，alwaystothebettermentofthespeech。Icouldn'tunderstandthis，andwhenhegotthrough，andIhadcopiedaboutthreecolumns，Iaskedhimwhythosechanges，ifhereadfromnotes。`Sonny，'hesaid，`ifthesepoliticianshadtheirspeechespublishedastheydeliverthem，agreatmanyshorthandwriterswouldbeoutofajob。Thebestshorthandersandtheholdersofgoodpositionsarethosewhocantakealotoframbling，incoherentstuffandmakearattlinggoodspeechoutofit。'“

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读