Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1859-10-25
II Prom Pctspcn's Magnzsns.
ALONE WlTlB A MANIAC.
pr v. u. srAuF9ER.
| was snokinp Il nv studv AZ Po

fied away on the wings Of the most gro
iesque imagery; sseastles in the air" rose
like magic, and long vistas Of painti' &c
and s,aluary opened tc my gaze 9. every
: turn.
Perhaps this was owing to The cigar;
perhaps ID my hat (which SAT rather
rakishly on my head. pressing upon my
organs o. hunaos and ideally, perhaps be-
cause was just then satisfied with the
world in general. and with myself in par
ticular. Be that as it may, l was foy
on,e, matter-of-t fact man as | am, indulg-
ing in the most absurd yet enchanting
vagaries.
Some cigars lay on the table. which, to-
getl,er with the way | cooked my head at
unusual noises. revealed that was wait
ing fora companion. And 30 was; was
waiting for Frank Rivers. Js'N-E !
A glorious, whol-.souled fellow was
Frank Rivers; sensitive to a fault, rather
visionary in his views, (perhaps only 30 in
comparison with myself, warm, brave,
impulsive, and very strong in his likes and
dislikes.
He was never to be cornered in an ar.
gument--not he. His antagonists rea-
soning was warped into the most ludicrous
shapes; sophistry, flashing with the scn-
iilations OF hi, wit, enveloped it in her
folds; and when these failed, his ringing
laugh. SO peculiarly contagious, would
carry him of. undeieated still, upon the
strong wings Of its sonorous echo.
Interest him in All argument? forsooth!
you might as WI II try to upset Bunker
Hill Monument with yard stick. or At
tempt to shave yourself with rolling pin!
While I was sitting in my reverie, |
heard footsteps coming up the stairs.
"'Fhere's Rivers al lasI!'' thought.
But it wasn't; the door opened and in
saked man whom | had never seen be-
fole. There was something majestic in
hrs tread, something intellectual in his
counenance, something demonical in the
glare of Lis eyes.
care we alone?" he asked. in low
voice, looking uneasily around the room
Exclusively So" replied, eyeing my
visitor with more Than common curiosity
"Take a chair. Mr.. -, Mr. -"
eyes. yes--I see. Mr.. Miles-Abner
Miles," he rep led, taking the hint TO in
troduce himself at the same time that he
took The chair. -..
"You are philosopher, Mr.. Reed-a
mechanic and \ genius. know this be-
cause | have inquired; know this because
have seen the light burning in your room
at late hours. | Lave something to ex-
hibt to you. You will be able 10 under,
stand mr. your percepives are largely de-
veloped. your constructiveness very large,
your reasoning p ,wers more than ordinary.
l, too. am a genius. For many years
have been devoIing my attention. to new
motive power--and my labors have nj las,
been crowned with SUCCESS. You said we
were alon4?"
II did, Mr. Miles"
"Well--you are wa'ing COR me to expe-
dite business, ain t ynu?'
mot particularly so-though l expect
friend here shortly"
you do?" asked he, glariny at me-
Soon his eyes, however, assumed their
usual expression. "You are quite COM
plac mt, Mr.. Reed" ..
"Thank you," l replied. lighting an
other cigar, and becoming slowly con.
vinced that was alone with maniac.
Taking u small box from his bosom. he
made room for ii on the labIe-shoving.
as he did so, my books. paperes. micro
scopes. pistols, DC, into glorious heap
OF confusion.
"D'sarrsnsing your table eighty. amt
!? But never mind it,"
Heopened the box and took out its con
tents. II WAS a miniature wagon. n. a!ly
fashioned out vi brass and stee,, with ma
chmeIy about it that was quite mystery
TO me.
Taking the light in one hand and the
little car in the other, he SAT down upon
the Hoor. Giving the fly wheel. which
was higher than the other wheels. and
stood clear of the floor, sudden lwirl,
tie car went across the room with consid
cradle velnri,Y. Going TO the farther end
of the rc"m. lie started it again. 1t flew
across the room. increasing in velocity, as
1t went. and running up against the wash.
bnar with a force almost sufficient 10 have
demolished It.
"Wi,at do you think Of that?" he asked.
"A great invention. indeed" said
"But what is the motive p'wer?"
"Pa,ieh:e. MI Reed. IN, not ihrou, ,,h
yet. Now watch how rapidly and how
beautifully it r.volves in n circle"
He started the Ear in circle OF some
four feet in diameter. II commenced
slowly to make the circuit--then faster,
faster. fas,er--unlil it seemed to lie ON the
Hoor a large ring Of polished Steel, per-
frclIy motionless. l watched il for abuut
ten minutes. | was :hunIerstruck; my
brain WAS becoming bewildsrsd.
Beautiful! splendid" l cried. in &C.
stacy.
Mr. Miles took up the car with an ey,-
dent air Of satisfaction, and placed it on
the table.
al am delighted to know that you are
pleased with it," lie said. II was sure
tha, you could apprecia it. 1t would
run Tor hours in that way. A large car
can bs constructed on the same prinriple;
Of course some person must be ON board
of II IN coufrui and goyern itu velocity -