Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-02-24
..FlblIshsd byi yaIu,es Harper.l
Volume XVIII Number 13.

! yiding it outdoes everything yo
!, have yet made. / am for none {
: your wooden spindIeshanks. Max
: it Of cork; let it be light and elasti,
> and cram it full of springs as
watch. know nothing of thi
business, and cannot be more specifi
in my directions; but this | am de
! termined upon, that shall have
, leg as good as the one | have losr
know such a thing is to be had
and if | get it from you, your re
ward is a thousand guineas." Tn
Dutch Prometheus, that. to pleas
Mynheer Won Wodenblock, said b,
would do more than human ingenui
ty had ever done before. and under
took 10 bring him, within six days, |
leg which would laugh TO scorn tn,
mere common legs possessed by com
mon men. This assurance was no
meant as an idle boast. Turningvor
was a man Of speculative as well as
practical science-there was a ia
vorite discovery which he had long
been aiming at, and he believed he
had at last succeeded in accomplish,
ing it that very morning. Like all
other manufacturers Of terrestrial
legs, he had ever found the chieI
difficulty in his progress towards
perfection, to consist in its being ap-
paren;ly impossible TO introduce into
them anything in the shape Of joints,
capable Of being regulated by the
will, and Of performing those i'm
portant functions achieved under the
present system by means of the
admirable mechanism OF the knee
and ancle.
Our philosopher has spent years in
endeavoring 10 obviate the grand in
convenience; and although he had
undoubtedly made greater progress
than any one else, it was not until
now that he thought himself COM
pIetely master Of the great secret.
His first attempt TO carry il into exe-
cution was to be in the leg he was
about 10 make for Mynheer Won
Wodenblock. 1t was on the even
ing of the sixth day from that to
which have alluded, that with this
magic leg, carefully packed up. the
acute artisan again made his ap-
pearance before the expecting and
impatient Wodenblock. There was
pround twinkle in Turningvort's
grey eye, which seemed 10 indicate
that he valued the thousand guineas,
which he intended 70, Blanche's
marriage portion, less than the
celebrity, tie glory, the Immortality
OF which he was at length so sure.
He united his precious bundle, and
spent some hours in displaying and
explaining TO the delighted burgher
the number Of additions he had made
to. the internal machinery, and the
purpose each was intended TO serve.
The evening wore away in these
discussions concerning wheels with
in wheels, and springs upon springs.
When il was time to rest, both were
equally satisfied with the perfection
OF the work; and at his employers
earnest request, the artist consented
TO remain for the night, in order that
early next morning he might fit on
the limb and see how it performed its
duty. Early next morning all the
necessary arrangements were COM
pleted, and Mynheer Won Wooden
block walked forth TO the street in
ecstacy, blessing the inventive pow
ers of one who was able to make so
excellent hand of his leg. 1t
sesmed, indeed, to act TO admiration;
in the merchants mode OF walking
there was no stiffness, no effect, no
constraint. All the joints performed |
their Office without the aid OF either
bone or muscle. Nobody, not even
a connoisseur in lameness, would
have suspected anything uncommon,
any great collection Of accurately
adjusted clock work under the full
well iashed pantaloons OF the sub
stantial looking Dutchman. Had it
not been for slight tremulous oc-
casioned by the rapid whirling of
about twenty wheels in the interior,
and constant clicking like that Of
watch, though somewhat louder, he
would himself have forgotten tbathe
was not, in all respects, as he used
to be before he lifted his right foot to
bestow parting benediction on his
poor relation. @ 42= eas'4E
He walked along in the renovated
buoyancy Of his spirits until he came
in sight of the Stadi House; and
Just at the foot Of the fight of steps
that lead up TO the principal door, he
saw his old friend, Mynheer Vanou-
tern waiting TO receive him. He
luickened his pace; and both. mu.
tually held out their hands TO each
other by way Of congratulation,
before they were near enough to be
,lasped in a friendly embrace. AT
asst the merchant reached the spot