The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-10-24
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of Mr.. Blonger. AT the earnest soicita-
ton of that gentleman, these persons had
come to meet they knew not whom and see
they knew not what On the platform, at
the end of the hall, lay small cannon,
heavy piece of iron shafting, and several
large iron wheels. What these articles
were for, they could not imagine. At half
past eight o'clock the young man, arrived,
and was introduced by Mr.. Bonger rs
young American who did not care to have
his name announced The stranger was
dressed in a rough suit, the worse for wear.
and wore slouched black hat. His hair
was brown and straight, his eyes were large
and bright gray in color, and his face was
destitute of beard as woman's. lie was
above the medium height and very slender,
and his age was apparently about twenty
four years, though he might have been old
cr He was evidently but little used to the
society Of distinguished persons, and at
first appeared somewhat embarrassed at his
position, but there was an expression of
firmness about his mouth that showed a
strong will and n habit of having his own
way. When he spoke, 1t was with the air
of a man who knew the ground upon which
he stood, and his manners were those of
one who felt that he was the inferior of no
man.
the door locked Mr.. Blongcr proceeded to
explain to those present why he had called
them together. His young American friend
he said, had convinced him that he was in
possession of a prodigious secret, of the
magnitude of which they could judge when
it was presented to them.
The whole affair at this point came near
being broken off in disgust, by an uncX-
pccted requirement which the unknown
stranger exacted lie declined to proceed
unless all present entered into an agree.
ment not to communicate what they might
witness to any living person, for period
of ten years, without gaining his consent.
The Right Honorable G---was on his
mettle at once. lie washed his hands of
the whole matter, and desired to retire i'm
IN, 1iately. The others were equally indig-
nant, and expressions not considered ele-
giant in high society were heard. 1t re-
CURED all Mr.. Bongers sagacity to quel
the storm. But the young man was inn
movable. and at last, at the earnest solic-
itation of Mr.. Blonger, the guarantee was
given. The stranger then took the stage,
and his auditors the seats Immediately in
front of it.
Gentlemen" he began, "from what |
have seen of your incredulity this evening,
| am satisfied that if | should intern you
that the attraction of gravi;ation could be
so suspended tlfat objects upon the earth's
surface would have absolutely no weight.
and further, that | was in possession OF the
simple means whereby this end could be
accomplished, you would greet my asser-
tons with ieers and ridicuc shall there
fore show you what l can do first, and talk
afierwaid You see in my hands this coil
of wire, blue like tempered steel. This
cannon weighs nearly three tons. / wrap
the wire round it. If you listen carefully
you will hear burning sound, similar to
that made by an electric machine But
that has nothing to do with the matter.
The ends of the wire are joined. This can
non now weighs no more than soap.bub-
BILE. You can see move it about through
the air with my hand, with two fingers, with
one. Here is a strong oaken CHAIR. place
the cannon upon it, and when l withdraw
the wire, mark the result. The chair goes
crashing to pieces on the floor, under the
weight Of three tons OF IRON
This conclusive proof of the grandest dis
covery ever yet made by man brought every
person present to his feet. Mr., Blonger
stood apart in triumph. The young exhib-
itor alone remained unmoved. How is it
done?" cried they all. GLOW did YOU make
this wonderful discovery They now
looked upon him with the awe one feels in
| the presence of superior being.
He raised his hand and requested silence.
"The action of this simple wire," said he,
sis not confined to metallic substances. Its
effect on all objects is the same. / put it
around this wooden bench, as you see, and
the bench weighs nothing around this chair,
and the result is the same. Here is this
large iron shaft, and these wheels. You
perceive that it affects all alike. Perhaps
you think it has no power over living sub
stances You are mistaken. l will agree
to put this little wire round my waist, and
step from the dome Of st. Paul's, will
show YOU"
A ladder extended from the floor to the
lofty ceiling of the hall. The stranger
climbed to its very summit adjusted his
belt, and sprung boldly off. He slowly un-
clasped the ends OF the wire, so that they
scarcely came into contact, and descended
gradually and safely to the ground, to the
infinite relief of the spectators, who gazed
horror-struck at the scene.
"Thus you see, gentlemen said he,
again ascending the stage, "what powers
lie hidden in nature, until they are acclden-
tally stumbled upon. You all think that
there is some power contained in this wire
/ must tell you that the wire has but little
to do with it. And yet l will agree to go
down to any your seaports, and put this
wire or one like it round any one of your
old seventy four gun ships we read of, and
lift it into a dry-dock, with line no strong
or than q pack thread, if the wind is not
blowing at the time This wire, at which
you all gaze so curiously, has no power in
itself. 1t is only the means of commune
eating power; still, no man shall examine
it, except under certain condition; and this
brings me to the point intended TO make
by calling gentlemen of your Understanding
and intelligence here tonight. | wish to
sell my knowledge to the English govern
ment."
.'And why to the government" cried the
Right Honorable b. land the Honor
able Mr.. S - in breath.
because no private individual is rich
enough to buy it. | once thought to dis
pose Oft to my own government, thatof the
United States, but | shall not enter into
the reasons why | abandoned that idea and
came here Besides it becomes public prop
erty after ten years. / would not agree to
sell the right under anyIcondtions for long
er time. The benefits of the discovery are
universal, and in justice belong to mankind,
and mankind shall have them"
Said a member of the cabinet: ''I our
idea OF selling such discovery to the gov
eminent OF Great Britain seems chimericai,
and l may add, it savors of seltishness TO
keep your knowledge from the world. But
may | be permitted to ask how much you
demand for your knowledge"
Here the young man rose to his feet in an
excited manner. ''You talk of selfishness,"
said he 81 know what it is TO labor and to
suffer, and to be lost amid mountains, and
tormented with thirst upon deserts. l have
labored hundreds of feet under the ground
with pick and shovel, for my daily bread
| got tired of it | swore off, l hold in my
possession what will make me Independent
for life, besides comforting nestimable ben
efits upon my fellow men, and intend to
use it so far. Selfshness indeed What
did Morse or Fulton make from their inven-
tons, except what was given them almost as
a charity, after they let their knowledge go
out of their hands? No charity for me. l
hold my discovery alone, and | will part