The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1898-02-11
A GRAVE MISTAKE.

When the body of Henderson Hesslerigg
was found dangling from cellar beam,
his neck encircled by self adjusted moose,
his eyes turned ceilingward and his life
extinct, those whom he had numbered
among his acquaintance were amazed ex-
ceedingly. And when Mrs. Henderson
Hesslerigg, who had always paused to look
in mirror when she remembered for how
many years she had been the faithful wife
of the deceased, listened to their words of
consolation with undiminished cheerful
ness and gave no indication of approach
ing hysteria or desire to faint away,
they stood aghast. In all the long time
Mr. Hesslerigg had dwelt among them he
had never said or done anything to lead
them to believe that he would endure,
even for few brief moments, the physical
discomfort which taking ones life entails.
By profession an inventor he had slum-
bered on through the multiplying years
with minimum Of exertion, contentedly
eating the three meals day which were
the result of Mrs. Hesslerigg's fruitful
toll, and philosophical enough to yearn for
mono of the things which were beyond his
reach.
AS for Mrs Hesslerigg, the very fact
that she earned and cooked three meals n
day for her amiably indolent husband was
an indication, so thought her neigh ors
| Of character the reverse of firm. They
| Knew she had always been unresenting, if
not accomplishing, andwere disappointed
and disposed to gossip when their profler-
! cd sympathy made 10 impression on her
as a widow She appeared to them mar
Nolously changed, bat it was apparent
that grief had nothing, to do with the
Transformation, for she seemed as uncon-
cerned as though the suicide of husband
was a very trivial matter. Conjecture, of
course, was rife, but the suicide had al
most been forgotten when the true story
became known.
One day, while his mind was as yet un-
tainted by "a suicidal thought, Mr.. Hessle-
! rigg might have been seen in n recumbent
attitude on much worn sofa which or
namented the sunniest room in the house,
smoking and thinking. 1t was while he
was thus engaged that Mrs Hesslerigg
entered the room, sank YEARLY into q
chair, covered her face with her apron
and announced almost tearfully:
Il just haven't the heart to work any
more"
"HaW exclaimed Mr.. Hosslerigg
thoughtfully, taking the pipe from between
his teeth. You have no heart for work. -
He pondered more deeply than usually for
a moment and then said, my DEAR that
remark Of yours has given me the germ Of
great idea.
sob, you and your ideas will drive me
crazy" declared poor Mrs. Hesslerigg,
bursting into tears. IF you had fewer
ideas and would do enough work to sup
port your children, 1 could keep them out
Of the streets and teach them something
and not be forever bending over the tubs
and other peoples washings," and Mrs.
Hesslerigg sJbbod in manner that was
really heartbreaking.
For it was fact pretty well known
among the poighbors that Mrs Hesslerigg
took in washing, the proceeds whereof she
devoted to the liquidation of her weekly
grocery bill, and in view Of the circum-
stances of MIR. Hesslerigg's not having
contributed anything material to the fam
lily board for a space of several years il
was small wonder that she should enter an
occasional protest.
But, my dear, insisted Mr.. Hesslerigg,
becoming so animated that he actually
arose to sitting posture on the sofa,
"this is really wonderful idea. You say
your heart will not let you work, +" he con
tinued 81 will make o new heart fo1
you, my dear-a mechanical heart, which,
possessing all the properties of the natural
organ, will not in its sentimental action
interfere with your physical labors. 1t is
glorious idea. 1t will DO the greatest
discovery in modern science" And Mr..
Hesslerigg, worked up to perfect frenzy
of enthusiasm, concluded by saying, 81
will set about it at once.
Mrs. Hesslerigg kept her head on the
table while her husband was talking, and
then she arose and went back to her tubs
Mr. Hessleri2g's remarks failed to inter
est her. She had heard him say exactly the
same things about 90 dozen different
ideas which had never resulted in any.
thing bat the accumulation Of vast deal
OF old junk about the house. So she did
not even look at him as he jumped up in
an unwonted state of excitement and pro
ceeded to the little shed in the back yard
which he called his laboratory, entering
and locking the door after him.
For four days, while Mrs, HesslerigQ
sozzled Sheet and pillow cases around in
the suds, Mr.. Hesslerigg toiled unceasing
ly at his invention. The tinkle of his ham.
mer made music for the neighborhood and
the smell of molten metals and noxious
chemicals hung over the shop. His lounge
was deserted, he did not smoke, and when
he appeared at his meals he was preoccu
pied and deep in thought. Mrs. Hessle
rigg became more respondent than ever,
and was firmly convinced that her hus
band had gone crazy. But when he made
his appearance at supper time on the
fourth day there was an unusual dignity
in his manner, flush of conscious tri
umph on his face He stretched himself
again on the old sofa and lighted his pipe
once more, and his laugh was happy and
J joyous.
my dear " he said, 81 have finished.
have succeeded beyond my widest dreams
have completed the mechanical heart
the greatest invention ever given to the
world. 1t is destined to perform every
physical function of the natural organ In