The Washington herald., 1908-02-09

which Thomas Y. Crowel & Co are
shortly to publish.
Edison is somewhat deaf in his right
ear Through constantly placing his
hand behind it the lobe has been pressed
slightly forward This partial deafness
has enabled him to pursue his work un-
disturbed while surrounded by ali the
noise of a busy shop. Naturally, il would
look well in an advertisement, from the
advertisers point of view. to be able to
announce that Edison used the article
advertised Accordingly he has had many
visits from persons with "a sure cure
for deafness" 20 sell. One visited his
laboratory at Orange recently in order to
explain the merits of a method which,
he declared, would bring about a speedy
removal of the obstacle TO hearing.
NO" said Edison. I think l Will not
try il"
why not? l wish you would tell me
why you will not"
Edison smiled. "Supposing you did cure
my deafness" said he. Think of the
lot OF stun I'd have to listen 10 that 1
don't want to heart To be a little deaf
has its advantages; and on the whole, !
prefer 10 let well enough alone.
His deafness has been described as he
ing more in the nature Of a psychological
phenomenon than a physical disability
"A story is told illustrative Of his ability
10 hear when it is least expected. Sew
eral visitors had called al the laboratory,
and although Edison, as usual, was eX-
tremely busy, be made them welcome
He did not express any irritablity even
when foolish questions were shouted at
him in unnecessarily high pitched tones.
When He Could Hear.
At last the humorist of the party re-
marked to a companion in an ordinary
tone of voice:
II guess he would hear if We asked
him to take drink.
The inventor, who is temperate in the
use of liquors, turned about, looked the
young man squarely in the eye, and smlI-
ingly replied:
yes. perhaps I should; but no, thank
you, not to-day
Edison has strong opinions regarding
diet He firmly believes that half the ills
that flesh is heir to are due TO incorrect
and excessive eating He himself is very
abstemious. and often does not consume
a pound OF food in the course of the day.
Yet he is no faddist in what he shall eat.
taking anything he fancies. but i'm very
small quantities. He is fond of telling
story AS an Illustration of how great
slave to meal hours a man may become.
You know, of course" he SAYS when
telling It. "aH about the Ohio man who
went te New York for the first time. and,
having taken room at Il good hotel un-
packed his grip and then went to the desk
10 inquire about the meals.
What is the eatin hours in this we're
hotel? he said 20 t1e clerk.
Breakfast the clerk answered. = to
II; lunch. IL 20 3, dinner TO s, supper,
8 90 T.
'Jerusalemr exclaimed the astouished
farmer, when am I goin' to get time to
see the town.
Visitors To the laboratory are some
times so numerous that Mr. Edison will
not grant an interview unless they are
we'll known to him. Some Of these Wis
itors with great p0mp0usuess assert that
they have known Tom Edison" since
they were boys together. and act as if
much anronted when the gatemau in
forms them that Mr.. Edison is so busy
that if will be impossible 10 see him on
that day.
On one occasion bona fde friend who
had known him from childhood called al
the laboratory with a companion, and
was greatly offended when told that Mr
Edison was very busy and could not re-
ceive visitors.
What" said the caller. Indignantly,
do YOU mean To say that Thomas Edi-
son won't see me? Why. I have known
him intimately all my life"
Knew Him Better.
'Oh. no. ! don't say he won't see you"
replied the man. but Mrs Edison waited
here for two hours this morning and had
10 go away without seeing him, and I
don't suppose you know him any better
than she does.
The faculty for remembering faces Is
especially well developed in Mr.. Edison.
An invident that exhibits this and amused
Mr.. Edison greatly happened recently.
4 certain great American machine fac
tory, devoted TO the manufacture of cleo
tTiCal appliances attracts many visitors
from all quarters OF the globe. One engi-
neer at the factory, who may be called
"Steve, is frequently detailed to serve
as guide, because of his fund of informa-
tion and his lucid explanations Recent
y be was assigned 10 conduct through
the plant guest from the West-a light
haired little man. The visitor seemed
duly impressed with all he saw, but made
no comment He was apparently drinking
in and silently Criticising every word
which young Steve" uttered. That usu-
ally confident person grew nervous and
suspicious.
This fellow he thought. must be
some smart electrician. and he is just
taking ali my statements with "A huge
grain of salt"
At last, when they had returned TO the
office and steve was feeling limp and
tired, the little man held ont his hand and
said.
II am exceedingly obliged to you I
don't know much about the electrical
trade. 7 ann a barber If you ever come
10 Chicago. look me up."
Took Him for Another Barber.
steve" had recovered from this and
was beginning to look and feel like him
sel5 once more, wher he was again de-
tailed TO escort a visitor through the
works This man also was silent and un-
demonstrative. Consequently. Steve"
rather hastily concluded that he had an
other barber" 10 entertain. The quiet
visitor showed little surprise or apprecla-
tion of the many remarkable machines.
and steve was aggrieved. For the
honor Of the works he determined to de
velop a little enthusiasm IN the taciturn
visitor. He began to color" his descrip-
tions Of the wonderful inventions for utii-
izing electricity. He pointed out a dyna-
mo which he said was so powerful that il
never had been and never could be OPP
Grated 10 It's full capacity, owing to the
utter impossIbility OF controlling the cur
rent He gave a dissertation on the in
CandesCent lamp and its manufacture. as
Eerting that It's discovery was due to the
accidental observation of a lightning flash