The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-07-05
A STORY AND A TALK.

| Uncle Joe lay upon the couch read
| ing, Aunt Margaret was darning stock
| ings, and Arthur, Jimmie and little Joe
/ were building things with their mec-
cano outfits.
Il have no more little screws"
walled Joe.
Here's one. Joey said Arthur
promptly. and then he laid down his
own work. Let me see how you're
1 brothers haif-finished work and in
spected II carefully before handing 1t
back Then he took up his own piece
again and worked q few minutes, fnal-
| ly holding 1t of at arms length,
There" he said triumphantly, Il m
not going to do any more"
! why not?" asked, Uncle Joe.
20, it's only play. you know; and
when you can see how It'll look when
finished. you don't need TO finish IT, you
see. Then. too. I'm tired, and l guess
I'll go outdoors"
Il can't finish mine either, and I
guess I'll go, too" said Joey. And our
they went, after promising Aunt Mar
garet that they would put everything
away as soon rs they came In.
Uncle Joe looked across at Aunt
Margaret, and both looked at Jimmie.
who. bent over his work, was fastening
th6 little screws In place. Why don't
you go, Jirpulie?" he asked. But he
knew what the answer would be. You
see he knew Jimmie.
Cause I want to finish this FIRST. &c
said Jimmie. But as he spoke he held
it up, and a ripping laugh came out.
Just see what I've done.' he Shouted
merrily. I've put this on hind part
foremost. Now IN have to do 1t over"
And he worked away until the fine lit
tie truck stood finished,
/ Margaret" said Uncle Joe. Arthur
has a bad habit He never finishes
anything. His mind Is quick and leaps
lahead He sees how thing will look
when completed. and that's all he
cares for. 1t Is his own amusement
he really wants and not to do any
definite work,
But. joe" replied Aunt Margaret.
Arthur is only little boy He Is but
nine years old"
Jimmie il only seven said Uncle
Joe. but he sticks to a thing until he
finishes IT, He has the mental image !;
then he completes 1t in actual wood
or steel. Jimmie will succeed in life
where Arthur and little Joe will fail
Il don't see why" argued Aunt Mar
garet Il think the trouble In partly
that Arthur and Joe are not as strong
in body as Jimmie, and they tire soon
er. All they need Is little encourage
ment to finish the work begun after
they have rested while.
With glowing cheeks the two boys
came in and at once bounced upon the
completed truck. and when Jimmie
came in he found them running II
hack and forth. carrying little loads.
" ours'll be just as good as mine when
it's done, Arthur" he said. I'll finish
it for you, and then Til finish Joey q. !"
Hold on there. said Uncle Joe.
Don't work any more now. Jimmie.
It's nearly supper time. You boys
come over here and TIL tell you a
story"
/ Instantly the toys were deserted. and
Uncle Joe began his STORY
h There IL a man in New York the
editor of paper. and his name is Mr..
Brisbane. He writes for grown men
and women. but he often tells things
boys and girls like to know. ! once
read an account no had written of the
first telephone that was Invented
Mr.. Bell invented the telephone.
said Arthur. proud of his knowledge.
We'll. i always thought So" said
Uncle Joe. until / read what MIR.
Brisbane wrote. II seems that long
before Mr.. Bell invented the telephone
a man In Germany had thought one
out and had made one for his own
I1S Noutd Sitte IL
and whistle through il. but the talking
voice would not carry we'll enough to
allow conversation to be carried on.
There were two little parts, called
Electrodes. that he thought should not
touch. Well. he amused himself and
his neighbors with his toy for awhile.
He had an idea that voice at one end
OF a wire could be heard at the other
end. He tested out enough to know
that his idea was true. and then he
stopped He stopped before he had
made his work as perfect as 1t might
have been made. This Germans name
was Refs. Long after his day Bell. an
American. also had the idea OF an in
strument which would allow people at
a distance from one another to con-
verse clearly. He worked over his idea
for long time, His instrument was
not success, but he wouldn't give up.
One day he touched a tiny screw. He
moved 1t so slightly that you would
scarcely have noticed change. But
the electrodes which Refs kept apart
touched each cthers and, loo there was
the telephone. If Bell had given up
before be had really finished his work.