The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-09-07

planned how to perform variety of con-
ljuring tricks, his vocation in life was then
ir.evocably fixed. The study of this
book set his own, imagination to work.
He began to practice the elementary
principles Of sleight of hand. He was
soon able to carry on two very distinct
sets of actions at once-for example, to
throw four balls in circles in the air, and
all the while read book placed before
him. He could make any object held in
his hand disappear with ease. He deter
mined on constructing variety of auto
mata. He worked courage ously at cog
wheels and wire work, but found time TO
get married in the midst of his inven-
tions. While busily engaged in
perfecting some piece of machinery, an
unforeseen catastrophe ruined his father
in-law and had now to take to repairing
clocks and watches for a living He
thus described his life at this period:
II removed my family into modest
lodging in the Rue du Temple, (Paris,)
at three hundred francs year, consisting
of room, bed room, and stove in
cupboard, to which the owner gave the
name of Kitchen had resumed my
repairing, but was all the while medita-
ting piece Of clock work, the success of
which restored some ease to our house
hold. 1t was an alarum, which was thus
arranged: You placed it by your side
when you went TO bed and at the hour de-
sired, peal reused the sleeper. while at
the same time, a ready lighted candle
came out from small box. was the
founder of this invention and its success
as it was the first of my ideas which pro-
duced me any profit. This 'alarum light
as christened it, was SO popular that,
in order to satisfy the great demand for it
1 had to add workshop to my rooms,
and hire several workmen."
Ruin again threatened him. A bill of
two thousand francs was due at The end of
the month, and there was not franc in
the house to pay it. He had just formed
the idea of new automaton, on which he
fixed the most sanguine hopes. 1t was
to be writing automaton, which should
answer any questions proposed by the
spectators. In the urgency of his pres
ent distress, he hurried to rich curiosi-
ty dealer; to whom several of bis invcn-
tions had been Sold To him the new
idea was explained, and so delighted was
the dealer that he at once agreed to pur-
chase it for five thousand francs, half the
money down and the rest on delivery
Joy was oEce more in the heart of the
. little family. But soon new anxiety
stole over the inventor. He had enga-
ged to deliver the automaton by certain
day, and now he foresaw thousand OBJ
stacles which had not occurred before-
Resolved to free himself from the numer
Gus Interruptions caused by the visits o
friends, customers, relatives and bores, ht
made wise resolution and kept it.
!. Entrusting the management of hi
,f business to one of his workmen, he retir
n eG in spite of the prayers and tears of th'
n whole family TO lodging in the suburbs
o at Belleville,, and there in solitude, work
q ed courageously at his automaton. If
% tear stood in his eye he closed it, ant
# visions of the various combinations whicl
Il were to move the automaton appeared be
" fore him; he gazed upon the wheels h
r. had made; they. too, were his children
a and he smiled the fathers smile Ever
Ia Thursday his wife and children spent tn
70 evening with him, and solitary musing
al filed up the rest. More than twelve
If month passed, and the automaton wa
:. now complete. Houdin thus describe
(. it:
!, "After many doubts as to the success
.. of my enterprise, the solemn moment al
IL rived. when should make the first tris
. of my writer. had spent the whole da
.. in giving the last touches to the automa
. ton, which set before me as if awaitin
A my orders, aud prepared to answer th
Of questions asked it. had only to pres
ut the spring in order to enjoy the Ion
is awaited result. My heart beat violentl,
+. and though was alone, 1 trembled wit
a emotion at the mere thought of this in
ID posing trial. l had just laid the frs
is sheet Of paper before my writer, and ask
% ed him the question, who is the authc
" of your being p pressed the spring
v and the clock-work began acting; l dal
o ed hardly breathe through fear Of dis
,e turbing the operations. The automatic
<. bowed to me, and 1 could not refrai
$ from smiling on it as my own son.
ID But when I saw the eye fix an after
he tive glance on the paper-when th
at arm, few seconds before mute anG lif
is began to move and trace my signature
ay a firm hand writing. the tears started I
= nay eyes, and I fervently thanked Heave
re for granting me such success. And
at was not alone the satisfaction I experien,
le ed as inventor, but the certainty I had
tn being able to restore some degree of con
lie fort to my family, that caused my dee
ali feeling of gratitude. After making n
e. automaton repeat my signature tho,
v. sand times, gave it this next question
What O'Clock is it The auto mato
er acting in obedience to the clock, wrot
81 1T is two O'Clock in the morning. Th