The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1877-11-17
MORGANToWN VIVA, SATURDAY. NOVEMBER II, 1877
Lightning Rods.
tpanhurv News. ]

Danbury News.l
A party named Atcherton came up
from New York last spring and built a
house for summer boarders at Lake Lo-
mond. He putup three-story building
with French roof and piazza, and made
very fine place of it. He also erected
barn for stabling. Mr.. Atcherton
was not an early riser, loving his bed too
well to get out before noon. One morn
ing in July last he was awakened from his
slumber to see man who was anxious
to have talk with the proprietor.
Atcherton seriously objected TO break
ing his nap, but believing that the anx-
ious party meant important business, he
got up to receive him. The reader can
fathom the old gentleman disgust when
he discovered that his visitor was alight-
ning-rod agent. There was disposition
to kick the intruder into the lake and go
back to bed, but as that was scarcely
within the limits of hospitality, to say
nothing of the requirements of the law,
the landlord smothered his wrath and
patiently submitted to the infliction.
The agent was smooth-faced and
smooth-talking man. He said he had
been most favorably impressed with the
appearance of the place, which was
really imposing, and he was confident
that in two years or less the host would
be doing what he would be justified in
calling I" smashing business"
But see you have not got any rods
on your palace. How's thatp
The old man said he didn't think he
needed them.
"There never was place that needed
them more than this does" said the
agent.
"How's that %
"Why, here you are with a lofty
structure, on high ground, in an open
place. and surrounded by rocks. There's
everything here to produce an outpour-
ing Of lightning"
The old man went outside, followed
by the agent. Both looked up at the
building.
You think there is danger, then p
asked the old gentleman, after a pause.
81 don't think anything about it, my
good sir, | know it. Common sense
teaches me that building situated like
that is in danger. If owned it, and man
should come along with this kind of rod
| would slip ii ON quicker'n you could
say Jack Robinson. Why I'd believe |
was committing architectural suicide to
delay the work an hour"
" You don't think it safe then to go
through this season without rods?"
81 certainly do not. Why, just look
at it. Here you are in an exposed
place, with most elegant hotel. Every
thing in good shape, and healthy bust
ness before you. The future opens to you
like a path of gold. Suddenly there
comes a storm, the lightning plays, the
thunder rolls-suddenly in a twinkling,
there is crash, and most valuable
property is swallowed up"
The old gentleman was visibly affected.
The agents eyes were moist, and his
cheeks flushed.
"What do you say?' he asked after a
pause.
81 don't know" replied Atcherton,
as man celebrating. " You think the
barn is in danger, tooY'
Certainly. Nothing can save either
of them, but the rods. If they were my
buildings | wouldn't begin to think of
taking the risk"
az 'spose," said Atcherton, interroga-
lively, "that it would be best to have a
full number of rods on the house. The
more rods the safer"
ooh, yes. 1t don't pay to do things
in half way manner"
"Well, now, what would it cost to put
rods all over the houseT'
The agents eyes glistened.
"Let me see." He took out mem
orandum book, figured a moment, and
then said, az can put tip at each cor
ner, on every chimney, and one on top
the flag staff, for three hundred and
twenty-five dollars, and you will have
a Job that Julius Caesar might be proud
Of"
you will cover the house, then, for
three hundred and twenty-five dollars"
"Iwill," said the agent, putting up
his book and rubbing his hands.
"All right, I'll have it done. Just
cover the house. Put rod wherever you
think it is needed. But / won't have
any on the barn."
ayes, SIR" said the agent, SO full OF
Joy he could hardly see the way to his
| wagon.
" Can you do it soon? p asked Atcher-
ton.
"Do it right away" briskly responded
the agent.
"All right" said the old gentleman
Put 'em on thick and fast, but not a
rod on the barn. Well let that go, you
know. But cover the house, and when
the barn is struck Pll pay you for the
job"
The agent who was making for the
wagon on sharp run, turned
around at this, and stood as if trans.
| fixed.
And to this day there is not rod on
that house.
| An Old Time Hotel.