Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-09-10
PERPETUAL MOTION.
A PennsyIvan1an's Life Spent In
Seeking 1t.
Pittsburg Chronicle

"A PennsylVan1an's Life Spent I'm
Seeking 1t.
Pittsburg Chronicle
Ia almost every village of the cour>
try can be found at least one person
who may be designated as ''charac-
ter" which rather uncertain title
usually describes one who is distins
guished from his neighbors by some
striking peculiarly or disposition,
manner or occupation-in fact, one
who is "a little oddl" Irwin is no
exception to the rule. Upon steep
bluff, 200 feet above the water of
Brush creek, and commanding most
extensive and charming view, stands
small two story frame stable. Part
of this was once used by it's owner as
a harness room and office, and is light
ed by small window. In this,
through the courtesy of the proprietor,
has resided for several years 90 aged
man who has spent the greater part of
his life In a vain effort to demonstrate
an idea, which has before received the
attention of many another, and, I'M
fortunately, often wrecked both means
and mind. An idea that always
mocks its followers with seeming
promise of success, only to fit and
leave them in TIE condition referred
to by the poet,
HE by friar's lantern ledr'
This man began to work upon his
pet idea when a mere boy, and seems
to nave followed it up closely at inter
walls until number of years ago,
SINCE which time his entire attention
has been given to it. He eats and
sleeps in his rude work room, and a
curtain across the window shuts off the
interior from the gaze of the curious.
Yet he is willing
TO SHOW HIS MODEL
to most persons, and the visitor is
kindly received and entertained. In
the half light of the room, as one
looks at the tools and wheels and
balls, and sees the stopping figure and
the face almost hidden by a beard,
which is unshorn and hangs over his
bosom ia a mass of gray, while the
eyes CLEAN with a new light as the
certainty of success is told, las soon
as one more wheel is added" One
can almost fancy himself In the pres
ence of an alchemist of old, and that
he is treading the threshold of untold
mystery. But that one wheel has been
Lacking these many years
Often do we see the old maa hover
ing around foundries and shops, or
walking up the steep street to his
room with wheels and rods in his
hands, but he 'has not quite finished. !"
Five years ago he was so certain that
he had his object, that he sought
out young man who had but awhile
before returned from a European
tour, and desired him to GO over again
in the interest of his invention. He
said he had no money to pay any ex-
penses, but the invention would bring
countless millions of dollars to both
It is needless to say that although the
young man would do much for "sweet
charity's sake" yet he declined this
request, and the old man went
away wondering why any one would
throw away such an opportunity.
AvICTIM OF A DELUsION.
Thus he works away in his retreat
through winters SHOWS and summers
sunshine, apparently regardless of the
beautiful things which nature in her
onward march is scattering so lavish
ly about him; knowing but the day
time for work and the nigh for rest !;
rarely meeting his fellow men, and
seeking but few; and then only when
ne sallies forth to purchase material
for his machine or food for his body ;
taking no recreation now, but ever
looking forward to that time when in
the completion of his wonderful work
'The night shall be filled with music,
and the cares that infest the day
Shall fold up their tents like the Arabs
And silently steal away"
The writer saw him few evenings
since returning from his purchase of
food. The air was cool, the sky was
filled with great masses of gray clouds
and the darkness was gathering fast.
Under the Shadow of a long line of
arching naples he came with steal
thy, cat-like step and disappeared ia
the gloom. Thoughts came of the
lonely life, and all engrossing idea,
and the resulting separation which
rose like a wall between him and 9TH
er men; and it was wondered whether
after all, there were not some who as
pired to the position of leaders among
men, who allowed love of wealth and
honor and power to shut them out of
the hearts of their fellows, as well as
the old man who has devoted his life
to unraveling the mystery of perpet-
ual motion.