The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-11-13
PERPETUAL NOTION.
A Long liie spent IN Q 'sklns it-Iaesins on
Xheel Of uoYlne IT, Kneld

4 Long Lifs spent IN .sklns it-IAesinx on
Wheel Of Novlng ~ Woeia.
In almost any village Of the country
can be found at least one person who
may be designated a. ''character;"
which rather uncertain title usually
describes ono who is DISTINGUISHED
from his neighbors by some striking
popularity of disposition, manner vi
occupation--in fact, one Who'll "a little
odd!" Irwin is no exception to the
rule. Upon steep bluff, 200 feet
above the red water OF Brush Creek,
and commanding most extensive and
charming view, stands a small two.
story frame stable. Part Of this was
once used by its owner Is harness.
room and office. and is lighted by
small window. In this. through the
courtesy of the proprietor, has resided
for several years an aged man who
has spent the greater part Of his life 10
van effort to demonstrate an idea,
which has before received tho attention
of many another, and, unfortunately,
often wrecked both means and mind.
An idea that always mocks its fol.
lowers with seeming promise of sue.
cess, only to fit and leave them in tue
condition referred to by the poet,
He by friar's lantern led!
This man began to work upon his
pet idea when mere boy. aud seems
to have followed it up closely ut inter.
walls until number of years ago,
since which time his entire attent. on
has been given TO it. He eats and
sleeps in his rude work. room, and a
curtain across the window shuts OF
tho interior from the gaze Of tho curl
GUS. Yet he is willing to show his
model 10 most persons, and the visitor
is kindly received and entertained. In
tho half light of the room. as one looks
ut the too =, and wheels and balls, and
sees the STOPPING figure aud the face
almost hidden by beard, which is un-
shorn and hangs over his bosom in a
mass of gray, while the eyes CLEAN
with Il new light rs the certainty of
success is told. ''as soou as one more
wheel is added" one can almost fancy
himself in tho presence of an alchem.
lst 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 man
lowering about boundaries and shops,
OF walking up the steep street to his
room with wheels and rods in his
hands. but he ''has not quite finish
ell Five years ago he was SO certain
that he had attained his object that he
sought out young man who had but
q while before returned from an
European tour. and desired him to 90
over again in tho interest of his in.
ventiOn. He said he had no money! to
pay any expenses, but the invention
would bring countless millions of
dollars to both. 1t is needless to say
that although tho young man would
do much for ''sweet charity's sake"
yet he declined this request. and the
old man went away wondering why
any ono would throw away such an
opportunity.
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
lavishly about him, knowing but the
daytime for work and the night for
rest; rarely meeting his fellow men,
and seeking but few, and then only
ho cultIGS 1OkGu puECuHS0
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 WONDER
full work
The night shall lie filled with music,
And the cares that infest the day
Shall fold up their tents like the Arabs,
Aud silently steal away.
The writer saw him q few evenings
since returning from his purchase Of
food. The air was cool, the sky was
filled with great masses of gray clouds.
and darkness was gathering fast. I'm
der the shadow of long line of arch
ing NAPLES he came with stealthy.
catlike steps. and disappeared in the
gloom. Thoughts camo of the lonely
life, the all-engrossing idea. and the
resulting separation which rose like a
wall between him and other men; and
it was wondered whether, after all.
there were not some who aspired 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 we'll as the
old man who has devoted his life 10
unraveling the mystery of perpetual
motion.-Pittsburgt Telegraph.