The anti-monopolist., 1874-08-13
George Wilson.

walking in the streets of Hartford, and
there came running to him poor boy,
whose intelligent eyes fixed the gentle
man attention. The boy inquired.
please, sir, can you tell me of any one
who would like boy to work for him
and learn to read
Whose boy are you? and where do
YOU livel'
''Ihave no parents, sir was reply.
''and have just came from the work.
house, because they would not teach
me to read"
The gentleman made arrangements
with the authorities Of the town. and
took the boy into his family. He soon
acquired the confidence of Mr.. Gallau
det by his faithfulness and honesty.
He also learned to read. and was al
lowed the use of his masters library,
whereby he made rapid progress in the
acquisition of knowledge. 1t became
necessary. after while. that George
should leave Mr.. Gallaudet, when he
was apprenticed to cabinet-maher in
the neighborhood. There the same in
tegrity won for him favor. To crafty
his inclination for study, his kind mas
ter had little room fitted up for him
n tie upper part of the shop, where he
gave up his leisure time to his favorlte
pursuit. He made rapid attainments
in mathematics, in the French Language.
and in other branches of learning.
After being in this situation few
wears. as he sat at tea with the family
one evening, he all at once remarked
that he wanted to 90 to France.
$50 to Francer' said his master, sur
prised that the apparently contented
and happy youth had thus suddenly be-
came dissatisfied with his situation.
''for what -
"Please, sir, will you ask Mr.. Gallau-
det to call!" continued George, land |
will explain
His kind friend was invited accord
ingly. and at tea-time the apprentice
presented himself with his manuscripts
in English and French, and explained
his singular intention Of going to
France.
In the time of Napoleon. said he,
"a prize was offered by the French gov
ernment for the simplest rule for meas
urine plain surfaces. The prize has
never been awarded, and that method |
have discovered.
He then demonstrated his problem,
to the surprise and qualification Of his
friends, who Immediately furnished the
means for defraying his expenses, and
with letters of introduction to the Hon.
Lewis Cass, then the American minister
to the Court of France.
He was introduced to Louis Philippe.
and. in the presence Of the king, mobiles
and plenipotentiaries, this youth dem
onstrated his problem. amid the plaud-
its of the court. He received tina prize
besides valuable presents from the king.
He then took letters of introduction
and went to the court of st. James.
and gained a similar prize. offered by
the Royal Society. He then returned
to the United States. Here
he was prepared to secure the benefit Of
his discovery by patent. when he re.
celved letter from the Emperor Mich
olas himself. one Of whose ministers
had witnessed his demonstrations a,
London. inviting him to make his resi-
dence at the Russian Court. and fur
nishing him with ample means for his
outfit.
He complied with the invitation. re
pairing to St. Petersburg, and become
professor Of mathematics in the Roya
College. under the special protection o
the Emperor of all the Russias.
One to-day is worth two to-morrows
Boys. use your spare moments well
Had George Wilson been an idle boy
spending his evenings in the streets o.
in bad company. he would never hav'
stood before kings. Mora ridn.