The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-20

that appellation 10 the marvellous dis
cover.es Of the Wizard OF Menlo Park.
Franklin occupies a prominent niche IN
the Temple OF Fame largely because his
kite, flying above where the Philadelphia
Post Office now stands. drew lightning
from the clouds. Edison has not only
harnessed the electrical current, but he
has made II perform marvels almost De-
You'd belief. Yet the only monument 70
his fame which l have seen is small
bust in the entranceway 10 the Edison
Company's building, on SAMSON street.
above Ninth, and which is nightly illu-
minated by the rays Of the ineandes-
cent light which bears his name. But
this perhaps, is as il should be. and GER
tainly as he would like II. lie Is still
alive and public adulation is not OF ms
seeking. When he Is gone or transferred
or Observation-Disclosures the process
NAV be--the future Will do credit 10 the
present.
The famous wizard, greater than KING
or pc,entate, is the most democratic OF
men. Picture 10 yourself gray-haired
nan with a boys face, round. ruolcund'
beardless. rarely unrippled by smile;
sturdy Of figure, with a Z 81 hat pressed
down on a broad forehead. with clothing
loosely-fitting, baggy, an appearance
ABOUT H. iiOl VI dS's '"N -
been new; with d scant neckue and an
uncovered expanse OF shirt front hoeraiiy
besprinked with tobacco juice
That is Thomas 4. Edison.
4 notwithstanding ear TO the delicate VI
brations Of the photograph has brought
him near to incurable deafness. AS he
bends his head TO what you have 10 say,
his right hand acts as receiver Tor ms
dulled tympanum, his face, for the time
In
being displaying that blank EXPRESSION
peculiar to the deaf. but Frightening into
acute intelligence as the meaning OF the
words reaches him. If IL is witticism
his countenance breaks into tumult OF
laughter his body bends and he slaps
his thigh yehemently. There never was a
more enjoyable companion; never more
natural man: boy with gray hair and
the record of his birth a ridiculous false
hood. Think Of this picture and then OF
the incandescent light, the telephone, the
nhonoeraph. the kaleidoscope and hun
dreds OF minor electrical wonders.
DIR. Norvin Green, the longtime presi-
dent of the Western Union Telegraph
Company, claims that he gave Edison the
employment which was the beginning OF
his successful career, 10 which. as is well
known. the Western Union corporation
has largely contributed Edison had been
bothering the officers of the company with
telegraphic devices they had no need OF.
He came into the office one day when II
was lmpossible TO obtain communication
between New York and Albany, and the
seat Of the difficulty could rot be located
He was bauteringly invited 10 remedy
the trouble. He said he could 90 so IN
two hours He was laughed at ana gwen
two days for the task. His process was
very simple He telegraphed to the pest
operator in Pittsburg, and instructed MIN
to telegraph 10 the best operator III AZ
bany The latter telegraphed down MS
New York line as far as he couiu' ieeiins
his way from point 10 point ana sehdins
the results 10 the Pittsburg man. VINO
forwarded them 20 Edison. In less than
one hour Edison said to the ANXIOUS
officials: 'The break is two miles from
poushkeepsie." That simple method IN
sured his status with the western union
neonle. and won for him nearing IN all
his schemes
Nv Grace Of the Holy Roman Empire
Thomas A. Edison bears the rank or
Count But this distinction by the Italian
E,noneror means little to him. In fact he
has a box full of emblems OF royal favor
which are treasured only by his wife, and
rarely gazed upon by himself. This
hr,ngs to mind an experience he had with
the present German Emperor.
While in Berlin he received an invita-
ticn TO visit William the Warrior in his
palace, and on the appointed day state
carriage. gorgeous In golden ornaments.
drawn by six horses and with outriders.
called for him. This display abashed the
mode st-mindcd inventor AMI he said that
he would reach the imperial palace In his
own way. He walked. When he reached
the designated place. the fnnkeys In
charge declined to take his card to the
royal presence. his humble appearance
making 1t seem impossible to them that
he was TO have audience with their au-
gust master Edition, nowise disappoint-
ed returned to his hotel. where, shortly.
he was waited upon by court of1ciai
conveying Williams regrets sor the mis-
take ard a request that he would visit
the palace next day and bring with him
one OF his photographs. lie lid so. The
Emperor took him into his private cab
met. no one else being present. carefully
ciossd all the doors and then besought
him to take the marvellous invention
auart and explain to him all its work.