Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-01-26


and he frequently walked as far away from
home as his strength would permit him-gen-
orally in the neighborhOod of the brickyards
in the southwestern part of the city.
One day, having extended his walk beyond
his usual limits, and being overtaken by a
thunderstorm when he reached the bricky yards,
he took shelter under the shed of one of
them. Having drank an unusual quantity of
whiskey during the day, he fell asleep upon
the wheelbarrow on which he resting,
while the storm was still raging nor did he
awake until the dawn of next day, mild,
beautiful morning. At first he Was Inystfed;
but he soon recalled 10 his recollection the
storm and the brick-yard, and feeling some
what drowSy, he composed himself for another
nap. 1t is uncertain how long he slcpt-pro-
badly not over half an hour-but during that
time he had a remarkable vision. He dream
ed out the principles of machine for the
manufacture of brick-a machine that would
In great measure, supersede all hand labor
Every wheel, cog and casting passed through
his brain, and in his dream he even saw the
machine in practical operation. When he
awoke it was quite light, and he hastened to-
ward his home. His mind was entirely taken
up with the machine, his dream having evil
IDENTIFY made an impression upon him as indel-
iblc any idea ever conceived in his most
wakeful hours. Long before he reached his
home, he resolved to carry out the spirit of
the dream. After breakfast he made the ne
cessary preparations to work out model.
The obstacles that interposed were legion,
but he overcame them all. Tools that he
could not borrow he bought, and it was now
that he went to work most patiently and per-
severingly, paying very little attention to the
whisky, as his whole soul appeared to be wrap
ped up in one grand object.
His wife, from the very beginning of his
work, thought that his mind was giving away;
and the poor, patient. enduring woman, find
ing their stock of money rapidly decreasing.
took in sewing, while lie sawed, planed and
chiseled at his model. He grew morose, and
seldom spoke. Sometimes he would gaze alb
strsctediv upon the model for long time, and
then, as if reassured, he would go to work
again with renewed energy and so he con-
tinued for many long aud weary weeks. until
the model was finally completed, and stood
before him in all its parts. As he worked at
ii in the presence of his wife, gleam OF sat
isfacton sat upon his countenance, and he
smiled. 1t was the first smile that had illu-
minated his countenace since he had been at
work on the model. He carried 1t of to a
finished mechanic, who engaged to make a
fine duplicate for twenty dollars and when
he had finished his job, the wife saw him take
that amount from their slender store more IN
sorrow than in anger, but she knew the utter
falacy of protesting.
Richard Miller now for the first time consult
ed friend in the matters and that friend hav-
ing had some experience in procuring patents,
gave him the benefit of his knowledge. To
procure the patent would cost thirty dollars
more. This alarmed Miller; but the patent
must be had, and that amount went In due
time letters patent arrived, and he had the
rough model and the edocument-nothing more.
Dat of them it would be next TO Impossible to
realize anything. No, he must have machine
capable of working. He felt satisfied that
nothing short of a machine would enable him
to dispose of his right. But how to get ma
chine built was u question which puzzled hlm
sadly. No one capable of making perfect
machine would undertake the jeb for less than
one hundred dollars. Alas he had no longer
that sum of money in his house. Miller was
almost bordering on despair, when one of the
mechanics TO whom he had spoken, called up
on him in order to make more minute exam
ination of the model. He was eminentiy n
practical man, and he made most thorough
examination, at the end of which he declared
that his firm conviction WAS that the machine
was a great invention At all events, he would
be willing to build one on a contingency. III
il failed to work. he would charge nothing /;
but if it answered the expectation OF the in
ventor, then he would charge two hundred dol
lars for machine and risk This was virtually
taking an interest in the success OF the inven-
ton, and Richard closed with him. The me-
chanic Was prompt and energetic, and, putting
his whole force TO work, in few days turned
ever to Miller a complete machine
His next business was to give the machine a
trial He went over TO Camden, where he had
an acquaintance in tn brick business, and pre-
vailed upon him to let the trial take place at
his yard, next day at IL O'Clock. The propri-
etor had very little faith in the machine, but,
as he had a large lot of brick Tor sale, he was
willing TO submit to almost anything 10 attract
attention to his yard. To this end he slyiy
inserted an advertisement in severalof the
daily papers in Philadelphia, announcing the
trial of a wonderful patent brick machine,
naming the time and place-whicb, of course.
he thought would only be another addition to
the long catalogue of failures in that line oi
inventions.
Next day Miller partook of an early freak
fast. and then possessed himself of the last
dollar in the house to pay current expenses
HI, bade his wife to be of good cheer-that he
Thought he should return before night with
not less than five hundred dollars. The poor
woman thought 1t more likely that he would
return detected, broken-hearted and ready TO
die but she said nothing.
From his house he went direct to the ma
chine shop, and had his invention taken to the
ferry boat, and had it safely landed, put up
ready to operate at the appointed hour de
knew nothing of the advertisement In the pa
ners. and was therefore little surprised to see
upwards of hundred persons congregated 10
the yard He did not like it, for in case OF fail
ure the modification would only be the great
CIR: but he consoIed himself with the BELIEF
that in case of success competition might spring
mn and enable him to realize one thousand dol
lars for his right, instead of five hundred doi
lars. at which moderate figure he held 1t.
The clay having been elevated, the horse
was started and the machine moved 1t was
,nnment of intense anxiety to every one, and
painfully so to Richard Miller. Eureka III
was a triumph! Mould after mould OF oeauti