The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1893-09-16
HIS EXPERIMENT.

TO the rule. AS matter OF fact, one
hobby did not satisfy him. He dab
bled in nearly everything chemistry,
photography. geology, numismatics,
mechanics, mesmerism, all had their
attractions for him; but of recent
years the inventions Of Edison. the
famous electrician, had absorbed the
greater part Of his attention. And
now, as an elderly man OF independ-
ent means, the sole occupant Of n
large and handsomely furnished man.
sion, he gave up the greater part OF
his time To the study of the wonder
full productions of the man he so
much admired. 1t goes without say
ing that signs were visible all over
the house OF the old gentleman's pro-
clivities:
Visitors never required to ring to
gain admittance; in fact, there was
no bell visible. The stone slab in
front Of the door yielded slightly to
the pressure OF the visitors foot, and,
as consequence, an electric peal
notified the servants OF an arrival.
Telephone communication reigned
anu llOll Vic
rooms in the house the master with
out seeing his servants, give his orders
while sitting at his desk or reclining
in his armchair. a complete set OF
electric burglar-alarm attached to
every door and window on the ground
floor had hitherto afforded him inn
munity from nocturnal visitors, but
as he contemplated shutting up the
house for a month or so while he
sought change OF scene, il behCoved
him TO think OF some method Of sub
DUNG a burglar who, in spite of
"war's ALARM" knowing he was in an
empty and isolated house, might defy
the noisy demonstrations OF the bells
and proceed with his looting.
Silas settled himself to think it out
one night, and quiet chuckle at the
end Of an hours meditation would
have convinced listener, had there
been any, that he had worked out n
plan to defeat and capture any bold
emulator Of Bill Skies who might at
tempt to carry out his designs against
"The Beeches."
Now, Silas Bland's very latest
"pet" was an improved Edison phOno-
grapn. which he had managed 10
smuggle into this country in defiance
of the patent rights supposed TO be
held by an English syndicate. 1t
was never-ending source Of delight
TO himself and his friends TO listen to
the records Of American orators and
musicians which.accompanied the ma
chine. Then with large supply OF
blauk cylinders he was prepared to
preserve for posterity the voices OF
those friends who were privileged TO
speak into the wonderful invention.
In scme cases the reproductions were
marvellous and TO strangers it would
appear as if the voice they heard ac-
tually proceeded from the mouth OF
the person who, perhaps six months
ago and 5000 miles away, had spoken
into the machine.
For the benefit Of those who have
not had an opportunity of examining
this delicate piece OF mechanism, il
NAV be as well TO explain that as soon
as the sound which it is desired 10
record has been craven upon the wax
cylinder by the action OF the needle,
obedient TO the vibration aroused 10y
the voice, il may be reproduced i'm
medlately by the reverse action. And
not only once, but thousands OF
times The cylinder. almost noise.
lessly revolved by an electric current,
will receive and, in turn, deliver an
oration OF three minutes in length,
every icfecticr Uf the voice being re.
produced with absolute fdei,ty.
Here, then. was Silas BANDS oppor.
tunity 10 defend his hearth and homo
during his absence and that of the
servants
He invited an actor friend to dine
one evening, and afterwards got him
to deliver certain carefully prepared
sentences in a stentorian voice, and
in a most realistic style, into the
phonograph.
A trial showed that the effort was
most successful. and Mr. Bland soon
afterwards completed his little ar.
rangements, shut up his house, and
departed on his holiday with light
heart and a curiously self-satistied
smile
Now, 1t happened that soon after
Silas BANDS departure, one OF these
poor oppressed and downtro1der
'knights OF the JENNY" WilliaG
Macnamara by name. but more com
monty known as "Bill Mac" Icing In
the ncighborhood Of ''The Beeches,
one day ION business" cast an envi
Gus eye upon the apparently deserted
mansion.
william felt particularly low Just
then, as his old and tried pal Argus
tus Montgomery, had been just sen
tenced by a pessimistic Judge q
eighteen months haru" Cor som,
alleged trifling inaccuracy on the par