The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1859-10-27


assumed an abnormal condition. to ap-
pease which it now required not less than
quart per diem. He felt that he was
not doing much. toward retarding his
march down to the grave /; but the heavy
doses of alcoholic stimulants invested
the past, present and the future with a
feeling of obliviousness that was quite a
relief to his melancholy broodings over
his misery when he was properly him
self. "
When in this state Miller loved soli-
tude, and he frequently walked as far
away from home as his strength would
permit him-generally in the neighbor-
hood of the brick yards, in the south
western part of the city. haa e-a 4
One day, having extended his walk
beyond his usual limits, and being over
taken by a storm when he reach
ed the brick k-yards, he took shelter under
the shed of one of them. Having drank
an unusual quantity of liquor during the
day, he fell asleep upon the wheelbarrow
on which he was resting, while the storm
was still raging, nor did he wake till the
dawn of the next day, a mild, beautiful
June morning. At first he was mysti-
fed but soon recalled to his recollection
the storm and the rick-yard, and feeling
somewhat drowsy, he composed himself
for another nap. 1t is uncertain how
long he slept--probably lot over an
hour-but during that time he had a re-
markable vision. He dreamed out the
principles of machine for the manufac-
ture of brick-a machine that would in
great measure supercede hand labor. Ev-
cry wheel, cog or 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 fastened towards his home. His mind
was entirely taken up with the machine,
his dream having evidently made an i'm
preston upon him as indellible as any
idea ever conceived in his more wakeful
hours. Long before he reached his home
he had resolved to carry out the spirit of
his dream. After breakfast he made the
necessary preparations to work out
model. The obstacles that interposed
were legion, but he overcame them all.
Tools that he could not borrow be bought,
and it was now that he went to work most
patiently and perseveringly, paying very
little attention to the whisky. as his whole
soul seemed wrapped up in one grand
object.
His wife, from the beginning of the
work, thought that his mind was giving
way and the poor, patient, enduring
woman, finding their stock of money
rapidly decreasing. took in sewing, while
he sawed. planed and chiseled at his
model. He grew morose, and seldom
spoke. Sometimes he would gaze ab
stractedly upon the model for a long
time, and then, as if treasured, he would
60 to work again with renewed energy /;
and SO he continued for many long and
weary weeks, until the model was finally
completed, and stood before him perfect
in all its parts. AS he worked it in the
presence of his wife, a CLEAN of satisfac-
ton sat upon his countenance and he
smiled. 1t was the first smile that had
illuminated his features since he had
been at work upon the model. He car
ried it off to finished mechanic, who
engaged to make a fine duplicate for $50;
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 folly of
protesting. asell
Richard Miller now for the FIRST time
consulted friend in the matter and
that friend having had some experience
in procuring patents, gave him the bene-
fit 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 document
nothing more. Out Of them it would be
next to impossible to realize. No, he
must have machine capable of work
ing. He felt satisfied that nothing short
Of machine would enable him to dis
pose Of his right. But how 10 get a
machine built was question that puz-
zled him sadly. No one capable Of max
ing perfect machine would undertake
the job for less than one hundred dollars.
Alas be had no longer that sum Of
money in the house. vrss,s.
Miller was almost bordering on de-
spair, when one Of the mechanics to whom