The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-02-29

at the end that is where he used TO
sleep, Tho bed is there still. os it is
often handy; but as the room Is only
used for sleeping purposes now | have
had another and larger bed put in as well.
I'll come and sleep in the little bed, and
keep you company. If you like ; that ia,
if you are nervous and dou't like being
alone, as you used to be-"
"Oh, but that was such wild, un-
civilized place, one could never tell what
might happen; but am not nervous at
being alone in England"
"All right, old fellow, but | have got
great deal to show you here. First Of
ali, as it is getting dusk, I'll light the
gas that is done by electricity. | have
got quantity of batteries down in the
cellar, and wires laid all over the house.
Now see. I press in this ivory knob
which brings the wires into contact, aud
an electro. magnet turns the stopcock at
the same moment a spark passes across
the gas jot and ignitcs it. But that is
not all. You see that bar the ceiling on
above the lamp--well, it is composed OF
two metals, one Of which expands much
more by the heat than the other this
causes it to bend when it gets hot; and
as i. does so it acts on lever and on o
rod above the ceiling, releasing a catch
which holds open the shutters, and they
Immediately close with a spring; as they
do this they catch again sort Of trigger,
which in its turn releases a weight that
runs down and draws the curtains
Almost as he had finished speaking the
metal became sufficiently heated by the
now lighted gas to act on the lever, and
the shutters closed and the curtains
drew themselves together as if by magic.
That is very cleverly managed" said
|. But here is another knob with the
letter A upon it; what is that for 2"
The A stands for alarm. | have one
in each room, but have never required
them yet. When either of them is
pressed, large alarm bell on the top oil
the house is set ringing by electricity
and it continues to ring until the electric
power is turned of again. We won't
try that, as it would alarm the whole
neighborhood. But | have more to
show you. Here is small recess, with
curtain 10 front | have had it fitted
up as o shower bath; it is self acting
in second or two after you enter the
water comes down. You can try it 10
the morning If you like"
Thank you. You do indeed abound
in ingenious contrivanccs you, however
must have exhausted all in this room, a,
any rate"
10 dear. no. Will you see if there is
any water 10 tie basin ?"
went to look, and remarked that
some was just running in from the tap.
Just so in walking to it you trod on
spring in tho floor and set the water
running now, when you come away yor
will tread on another and cause it to rur
away"
again admired the contrivauce. wher
he said There is one moro aud thinl
that is all. See; here by tho bedside
are three speaking tubes this, marked
number one, communicates with my bed
room this, marked two, with my sister
room and the third, with the servants
room. The las. two l do not suppos
you are likely to have any occasion t.
use, unless you want Jane to bring yc'
up an early cup Of tea."
"Is Jane the pretty little housemai'
who opened the door for US n
"Yes, you sly dog; you were not Ion
in finding that out. But mind, IN
pretty Jane will stand no nonsense"
"Why. Harry, should have though
you would have known me too we
to mako such remark-you know
never"
"All right, old fellow; l was onl
joking. But come, you must look shsr
and get ready for dinner
After Harry had left, and when wa
ready. I determined to try tube numoe
one blew the whistle.
"Hollo!" replied Harry from the othe
end
II am ready to 60 down when you are
shall you be long ?"
II am ready now and will meet 80
on the landing" came his answer.
As we were going down stairs Harr
told me we should be four at dinner, {
bis sister had invited Miss Denbigh,
young lady who lived near. We foun
. the ladies in the drawing room, where
was introduced to Miss Denbigh.
could not help thinking she was moro
homo with Harry than with his siste
and this was confirmed later on, when |
, walked homo with her.
We had very nice little dinner at
after the ladies had left US Harry e,
| planned to me some more of his inve
y tions. and showed me the telegraphs
/ which he communicated with his neig
9 bors While we were talking one Of Il
y bells rang
y "IIollo," said Harry That's Pot
!. What does he want, wonder ?" Th,
It followed series of clicks. lie wan
:. to know if will cone aud have gan
t Of billiards 10. morrow evening, | shi
soy hafS Aiebi eta1ipB WIN uo
i Click, click, click He says; Brit
g your friend with you. What say y
a Marx ? viii you GO"
u II have no objection" answered
| Click. click, click. went the machi
h for some time and then Harry came al
;. sat down, saying: "IIe says, All righ
1t he shall expect US. "
r, After time We joined the ladies
l the drawing room, and had some mu'
g and singing. As Miss Denbigh had We
r. fue voice she and Harry sang son
l duets together, and appeared so much q
q customed to it that they must have had
Ie great deal of practice. 10 the room "
ir a nice little organ on which Harry "a
of Q very crediiable per ormance. lie c
planned 10 me that it was blown by wat
as power. Ho had fixed horizontal vii
:. mill on top Of the house, which pump
as up tho water. and from the heigh.
| 1T Il "a. L. -.