The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-09-16

peat what he had heard" only what
his machinery had been built to pro-
nounca.
In Harpers' Magazine. before rne
war;" appeared the story of an elderly
scientist who became Jealous of
neglected wife, He constructed a ma
kline which recorded and repeated
every word spoken I'D the parlor below
his laboratory. On the testimony OF
that mechanical tatfier he killed his
Wife, and Its story to the jury cent the
inventor to the insane asylum rather
than 10 the scaffold. That was fiction,
but also g. prophecy. polished wnen
Edison was about seven or eight years
old. II would be interesting TO know
II Edison ever read or heard that
story.
Where do ideas come from, anyhow
Is it still true that There Is nothing
new under tho sun ?''
Il So, and somewhere is a Vastly
deep of ideas ayaitjng Te-discovery,
Is it not worth wfl1ie to believe In that
fact and ceaselessly geek an entrance
IL such a reservoir. Somewhere there
must be AN open sesame" for every
seeker who Is worthy and we'll quail
fled, duly and truly prepared
A wise one has said genius is re-
ceptivity."
Perhaps receptivity Is the open
sesame" which brings 1t within the
possible reach of every one who has
a listening ear, q seeking mind, and
heart loyal TO truth"
In some things, the hest things.
Mother Nature Is mo respecter of
persons"
Bat to achieve like Edison ono
must, like Edison. so to Mother
Nature as little child, one must
concentrate like Edison, one must
persist Ike Edison florida friends
say that he broke a social engage
nent he vas very anxious to keep
with his daughter, WHO reported in
excuse for mis- absence: Father could
not come, lie is trying 20 make his
machine say sugar"
That machine said sugar before
Edison ate or slept.
cars ago, Serge Peabody. then
night telegraph operator in the GIN
cihnati office OF the 20 and II " rail-
road, said that he caught on his wire
messages from wires q dozen feet
away from his wire, ana unconnected
except by the air. That was in 1877.
Think OF the Inventions since develop
cd from suggestions Ike that
Nature Is ever Offering us the open
sesame To her niysterfes But she has
tue same difficulty that SO often dis
3eoAra3es human teitCh ers--tha diff
Guilty of getting Allegation, holding at
tentloh and then making what is
taught remembered
/ 1t has been suggested that Tie nan
conductor refuses to further conduct
I because 1t is already carrying all the
electricity IL can hold. PERHAPS some
students refuse to lake on any more
( learning Tor Il similar reason at least
from their point Of view.
Eut there is always hope. evan far
the com placen, kuow-it-aa the
human mind IS tho only Instrument
! OF discovery capable or oriticlsing its
own shortcomings. and the constant
I cfy OF me SOU, how@ver slnothered, is
more light"
/ Think OF the inte,iectual rise and
! e&pension, aided by electricity ana
4 A"sAetlsln, since semi-savages first
ruhpbed amber into activity and ruder
cave dwellera parsha rs. firsf fauna 49,,
"ofShlped the lode stone, that life
less thing showing an attribute Of
life"
: ii is SO with every capital discoy-
cry however ramote, with whose de-
| Neiopnent man hes struggled in his
long bitterness or etfort at translating
nlnu and musc}e into efficiency.
"hieh an tho Lass analysis consists Ia
the mere elimination of waste.
Realizing this. the runy equipped.
educated and trained electrician NAV
stand hke a composite picture, com
plhing all the haIacteristic Qualities
ana eapa blhties u his g1iild. also To
pass expert Judgment on any specific
act in any branch az the great science
up TO date, yet ever having undimfn-
ished mental hospitality for any fact
or truth Yet 10 come.
! Such an electrician viii alwav. frn
new earth for tho worker, a new
heaven for the thinker, with linitless
eNpaise TOT their combined efforts for
! human hetterment.
III needs no argument to prove that
the most potent man Of all humanity
may pc the e1ectrieian: II not yet he
certainly will he when he achieves
mastery control over the wondrous
powers OF the mysterious something
/ from which he gifts his title.
| Then a most serious question faces
You VINO are merely dabbling in
electricity, and vou who are using
I as mere maReshift to earn a
liefag. ge.,sss -,
is electricity not big enough thing
to merit your best endeavor. your
highest enthusiasm and your lasting
devotion?
W mar other employment, calling or
profession Offers such opportunity for
wealth. for fame ana for possibilities
of good 10 humanitv2
Then why not decide now to make
1t your life work. and determine to
give TO It's DEVELOPMENT the very best
that Is in you?
Questions Tor Personal Consideration
l. from my point of view why
should Il wish TO become an elee-
trf rtan2