The morning call., 1894-12-11
THE FIRST STEAMBOAT FARE.
Fulton Wanted to Buy Bottle of
Wine With It.

.One of the most interesting incidents of a
business nature connected with Fulton's steam
boat enterprise was the first steamboat fare
paid 10 him." said Uncle Joshua. The mar
rator OF this who was also one OF the actors in
the scene, says: Il CHANGED to be at Albany on
business when Fulton arrived there In his un-
heard OF craft, which everybody felt so much
interest in seeing. Being ready TO leave and
hearing that this craft was going 10 return 10
New York repaired on board and inquired for
Mr. Fulton. / was referred TO he cabin, and
there found a plain, genllemanly man, wholly
alone and engaged In writing.
Mr.. Fulton, presume|
.''Yes SIR
"'Do you return to New York with the boal?'
1--we shall try to get back, SIR
/" Can have passage down"
You can take your chance wi II us, SIR
81 inquired the amount to be paid. and. after
moments hesitation. sum- think S6-was
named. The amount, In coin. laid In his open
hand. and. with bis eye fixed upon ii, he re-
manned so long motionless hat 1 supposed
here might be- miscount, and said to him: Is
that right, sir"
reVerie, and as he looked up 10 me the big tear
was brimming in his eye, and his voice faltered
as he said: Excuse me. SIR but my memory
was busy IN contemplating his, the first pecu-
mary reward have ever received from all my
eXertions IN adapting steam TO navigation.
would gladly commemorate The occasion over
bottle OF wine with you, but really am too
poor even for that just now; vet trust we may
meet again when this will not be the case
His voyage 10 New York was successful, as
all know. and terminated without accident.
''Some four years after this, when the Cler-
mont had been greatly improved and her name
changed TO the North River, and when two
other boats, namely the Car OF Neptune ana
the Paragon, had been built making Mr.. Full
toms feet three boats regularly plying between
New York and Albany l took passage on one
OF these for he latter city. The cabin IN that
day was below, and as / walked Its length, to
and fro. saw that was very closely observed
by one supposed a stranger. Soon. however,
l recalled the features of Mr.. Fulton. but. With
out disclosing this, / continued my walk.
lat length, in passing his seat, our eyes met,
when he sprang o his feet and. eagerly Selling
nv hand, exclaimed: Il know 1t must be you,
for your features have never escaped me; and,
al, though l am still far from rich, yet may
venture that bottle now Ii was ordered. and
during its discussion be ran rapidly but WILDLY
over his experience OF tie WORLDS GOODNESS and
sneers and OF The hopes, fears, disappontments
and difficulties that were scattered through his
whole career of disc0verv-up TO the very poiut
of his final browning triumph. at which he so
fully felt he had arrived at last.
.'And In reviewing all these he said: Il have
again and again recalled the occasion and the
incident of our first interview at Albany; and
never have / done without renewing IN my
mind the vivid emotion 1t originally caused.
That seemed. ana does still seem, to me the
turning poiaL In my destiny, the dividing line
be Ween light and darkness in my career upon
EARTH for II was the first actual recognition of
my usefulness TO my fellow men, boston
Herald.