Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1874-07-23
Fireside Department.
George wilson.

Some years ago Mr.. Gallaudet
was walking in the streets of
Hartford; there came running to
him q poor boy, whose intelligent
eyes fixed the gentleman's atten-
ton. The boy inquired, "Please,
sir, can you tell me of any one
who would like a boy to work
for him, and learn to read ?"
@Whose boy are you ? and
where do you liver'
III have no parents, SIR" was
the reply, sand have just come
from the workhouse, because thay
would not teach me to read"
The gentleman made arrange
ments with the authorities Of the
town, and took the boy into his
family. He soon acquired the
confidence of Mr.. Gallaudet by
his faithfulness and honesty. He
also learned to read, and was al
lowed the use of his masters IL
brary, whereby he made rapid
progress in the acquisition of
knowledge. 1t became necessa
~, after q while, that George
should leave Mr.. Gallaudet, when
he was apprenticed to a cabinet
maker in the neighborhood.
There the same integrity won for
him favor. To crafty his incli-
natisn for study, his kind master
had a little room fitted up for
him in the upper part oft he shop,
where he gave up his leisure time
to his favorite pursuit. He made
rapid attainments in nathemat-
les, in the French language, and
in other branches of learning.
After being in this situation a
few::years, as he sat at tea with
the family one evening, he all at
once remarked that he wanted
to 60 to France.
"Go to France % said his mas
ter, surprised that the apparent
ly centented and happy youth
had thus suddenly become dissat-
isfied with his situation; "for
what ?"
"Please, sir will you ask Mr..
Gallaudet to CALF" continued
George, ssand l will explain"
His kind friend was invited &C
cordingly, and at tea-time the
apprentice presented himself
with his manuscripts in English
and French, and explained his
singular intention of going to
France.
ssIn the time OF Napoleon" said
he, "a prize was offered by the
French government for the SIM
plestrule for measuring plain sur
faces. The prize has never been
awarded, and that method ! have
discovered
He then demonstrated his prob
lem, to the surprise and gratifica
ton Of his friends, who immedi-
ately furnished the means for de-
fraying his expenses, and with
letters of introduction to the
Hon. Lewis Oass, then the Amer
ican minister to the Court of
France.
He was introduced to Louis
Philippe, and, in the presence
of the king, mobiles, and plenipo-
tentiaries, this youth demonstra-
ted his problem, amid the plaud-
its of the court. He received
the prize, besides valuable pres
ents from the king.
He then took letters of intro
duction and went to the Court
of st. James, and gained a simi-
lar prize, offered by the Royal
Society. He then returned to
the United States. Here he was
preparing to secure the benefit
Of his discovery by patent, when
he received a letter from the EN-
psror Nicholas himself, one of
whose ministers had witnessed
his demonstrations at London,in
viting him to make his residence
at the. Russian Court, and fur
nishing him with ample means
for his outfit.
He complied with the invita-
ton, repaired to st. Petersburg,
and became professor of mathe
matics in the Royal College, un-
der the special protection of the
Emperor of all the Russias.
One to-day is worth two to-
morrows. Boys, use your spare
moments well. Had George. Viii
son been an idle boy, spending
his evenings in the streets or in
bad company, he would never
have stood .before kings Mo |
ravian.
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