The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1859-12-08
December 9th, 1859.

Ole him TO dispose OF MS rlgnt- bue how
get machine built was question that puz
zled him sadly. No one capable of making
rerfect machine would undertake the Job 70
less than one hundred dollars. Alas b
had no longer that sum of money in th
house.
Miller was almost bordering on despair
when one OF the mechanics to whom he ha,
spoken, called upon him in order to make ,
more minute examination of the model. HI
was emiuently a practical man at the enc
of which he declared his firm conviction wa.
that the machine was "a great invention. A
all events, he would be willing to build one
on contingency. II it failed to work, he
would charge nothing; but If it answered the
expectation of the inventor, then he would
charge two hundred dollars for machine and
risk. This was virtually taking an Interest
in the success of the invention, and Richard
closed with him. The mechanic was promp,
and energetic, and putting his whole force
to work. In a few days turned over 10 Miller
complete machine.
His next business was to give the machine
trial He went over TO Camden, where
he had an acquain anee in the brick bust
ness, and prevailed upon him to let the trial
take place at his yard, next day, at eleven
O'Clock. The proprietor had very little faith
in the machine, but as he had large lot of
brick for sale, he was willing to submit to al
most anything to attract attention to his yard.
To this end, he slyly inserted an advertise
ment in several of the d lily papers of Phila-
delphia, announcing the trial OF a wonderful
brick machine, naming the time and place.
which. Of course, he thought would only be
another addition to the long catalogue of fail
ures in that line of inventions.
Next day Miller partook of an early break
last, and then possessed himself of the last
dollar in the house to pay current expenses.
Pe bade his wife be of good cheer-that he
thought he would return before night with
not less than FIVE hundred dollars. The
poor woman thought it more likely that he
would return detected, broken hearted and
ready to die; but she said nothing.
Frum his house he wen. directly to the
machine shop, and had his invention taken to
the ferry haat,- had it safely landed, and put
He knew nothing Of the advertisement in the
papers. and was therefore little surprised to
see upwards of a hundred people congrega
ted in the yard. lie did not like it. for in
case Of failure, the modification would only
be the greater; but he consoled himself with
the belief that in case of success, competition
might spring up to enable him to realize one
dollars for his right, instead Of five
hundred dollars, at which moderate figure
he held it.
The clay having been elevated. the horse
was started. aud the machine moved. 1t was
a moment of intense anxiety to every one,
and painfully SO to Richard Miller. Eureka.
1t was a triumph! Mould after mould of
brick were carried from it. until in
an incredibly short space of time a thousand
were finished and drying in the yard.
There stood Richard Miller. gazing upon
his invention. 1t was the full realization of
bis dream in lis minute st particulars. 1t was
the happiest moment in his life. He was
Just on the point of offering the right of max
ing and vending the machine in the United
States TO the highest bidder, when an old
Yankee tapped him on the shoulder,
Young man > said he, that's very good
machine Of yours, but l see where very
important improvement may be made. I'm
der such circumstances, l will give you fifty
dollars for your right, title and in
terest in it,
Miller grasped one of the levers of his ma
chine to keep him from falling. No it
could not not be; the whole thing must be
a continuation of the brick yard dream.
How much did you say 2 asked Miller
in doubt
Fifty thousandl said the man evidently
ready to increase the amount if Miller de-
manded it.
III take it! gasped the inventor. who
still could not believe the evidence of his SEN
ses.
Then come with me-
A few minutes more, and they were on
their way to Philadelphia, and in crossing
the river, Richard Miller paid the fast six
pence he had in the world, for ferriage.-I
Once arrived in the City. they went directly
to the office of a lawyer, where the necessa-
~ papers, a full assignment, were drawn up
Miller all the while doubling the possibil
ity of the man having anything like the
amount he offered but he still resolved in
his mind that be was safe if he got but sin
gle thousand IN cash, and the balance In
worthless promissory notes. At length the
was finished and signed. and
the man handed Miller a check payable
amount, on the back of which the attorney
certified to Miller being the owner of the
check.
The patentee was still incredulous but
satisfied that if the check was worthless, it
would be evidence of fraud, and the sale not
valid. the papers were exchanged, and he
presented his check to the paying teller
That gentleman scrutinized il moment, and
then asked bow he would have it.
Richard Miller was again nonplussed.-
He stood like statue gazing upon the teller
until the question was repeated.
Gold and silver.' said Richard.
Gold and silver. cried the teller in sur
prise-.havs you dray p
Beg your pardon said Miller. Let me
me have bag Of thousand dollars in gold
and silver, and the balance in bank notes
A bag with that amount in mixed coin
was soon placed before him. aud forty nine
packages of a thousand each were laid on the
counter. Miller had by this time in meas
ure regained hi. self possession. and after
stuffing the notes in lis pocket. he shoulder
ed his bag OF coin and left the bank.
As soon as he saw an omnibus he hailed
it. and rode to within two squares of home
When he reached the latter be staggered in
beneath his load, and walking directly to the