The record-union., 1895-01-24
Besant might put it, the world went very
we'll then.-London Daily Telegraph.
FULTON'S FIRST FARE
Overcome With Emotion When He
Was Handed six Dollars.


Was Handed Six Dollars.
"One of the most interesting incidents
of business nature connected with Full
toms steamboat enterprise was the first
steamboat fare paid to him. The mar
rator OF this, who was also one of the ac-
tors IN the scene, says: L chanced to be
at Albany on business when Fulton ar
rived there in his craft, which every body
1elt so much interest in. Being ready to
leave and hearing that this craft was go
ing to return to New York. I went
on board and inquired for Mr.. Fulton. [
was referred TO the cabin, and there
found plain, gentlemanly man wholly
alone and engaged in writing.
Mr.. Fulton, presume?'
"'Ye es, SIR
"'Do you return to New York with
this boat?'
We shall try to get back, SIR
can nave passage dOwn?'
SIR '' WIN u.s.
Il inquired the amount to be paid. and.
alter moments hesitation, q sum-
think S6-was named. The amount, in
coin, laid in his open hand, and, with
MS eyes liked upon it, he remained so
long motonless that L supposed there
might be a mIscount, and said to him:
is that right, STRIP
This question reused him as from
me blg tear was brimming in his eve.
anu his voice faltered as he said: 'Ex-
cuse me, sir, but my memory was busy
IN contemplating this, the first pecuniary
reward L have ever received from all
my exertlons in adapting steam TO nayi-
gatlon. L would gladly commemorate the
occasion over bottle of wine with Won
but really L am too poor even for that
just now, yet L trust we may meet again
when this will not be the case.'
his voyage to New York was sue
cesstul, as all know, and terminated with
out accident.
-, Some four years after this, when the
Clermont had been greatly improved and
her name changed TO the North River
and when two other boats, namely. the
Car OF Neptune, and the Paragon. had
peen bulIt, making MIR. Fulton's fleet
three boats regularly plying between
New York and Albany, l took passage
on one OF these for the latter city. The
cabin In that day was below. and as T
walked It's length, to and fro I saw that
was closely observed by one supposed
a stranger. Soon, however, l recalled the
features OF Mr.. Fulton, but, without dis
closing this, continued my walk.
Az length, IN passing his seat, our
eyes met, When he sprang to his feet, and.
eagerly selzlng my hand, exclaimed: i
Knew IL must be you, for your features
nave never escaped me; and, although /
am still far from rich, yet [ NAV yentnre
that bottle Dow.' 1t was ordered. and
during its discussion he ran rapidly. but
Vlyidly,oYer his experience of the worlds
coIdness and sneers, and of the hoDes,
lears, dlsappointments and difficulties
that were scattered through his whole
career OF dlscoVery-up to the very Doint
OF MS hnal, crowning triumph, at which
he SO fully felt he had arrived at last
AND III reviewing all these he said
nave again and again recalled the oc-
caslon and the incident of our first inter-
view at Albany, and never have l done
SO without renewing in my mind the
VlVld emotion 1t originally caused. That
seemed, and does still seem. to me- the
turning point in my destiny-the diyjd-
ing line between light and darkness in
my career upon earth, for it was the first
actual recognition of my usefulness to nv
felIow-men.' '"-Boston Herald,