River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1914-07-09
CHAPTER TX.
The Coming of the Woman.


the great working force of the
Reedy mills, was a master
both OF men and machinery. At the
half century mark of life, he had come
to admire and hold as fine two things
ability and decency.
These two things struck cameo-like
to his vision In John Nelson, who had
applied to him for work, modestly, as
a plain machinist. No tangle of a
million threads from the bobbins
brought an exclamation of disgust
from his lips. No solution of any intri-
cate mechanical problem caused him
to exult.
Nelson was Lansing's kind of man,
and the superintendent invited him to
come and live at his home. Both men
were taciturn, ap~preciative, but with
holding their words, as do most men
who handle and care for the wonder
fully animated Sinews OF industry,
which speak only with their product.
Nelson was glad to accept Lansing's
offer and transferred his belongings
to the superintendent comfortable
home on the curving red road that
runs from Greenvllle upward toward
Paris mountain.
Mrs. Lansing welcomed the stranger,
and her little brood of four children
soon accepted him as a member of
the family. His bedroom windows
opened to the blue mountains, which
cut him off from the rest of the world.
In these surroundings, which gave
him almost the full charm of domes-
ITCHY, Nelson started his new life with
a growing ems of security.
There was no idle moment In the
days calendar of hours and minutes
for John Nelson. He worked not for
was increased from time to time, and
monthly his earnings went to swell a
bank account that reached three fig
ures.
Two nights of each week the light
In his room burned until after mid
night. On these nights he labored at
his desk on the plans of a device that
would mean the saving of thousands
of dollars a year In waste from the
carding machines of the mills. The
waste filled the air with lint, choking
the operatives as they worked. A new
adjustment of certain parts Of the ma
chinery was the problem engaging his
mind. He wrought over his plans un-
til he felt that they would stand the
proving test of a model; her the accu-
mulated wages stood him we'll, as a
forgotten friend sometimes stands a
man. He had the model built and In
stalled In the attic OF the Lansing
home.
Power was obtained by connecting q
small dynamo with wires supplying
the house with electric lights. Cotton
was brought from the mills, and one
night Lansing and Nelson sat for an
hour watching the tiny carding ma
chine meet the new demands of econ
omy put upon it. There was not an
ounce of cotton waste.
Nelson was to be made rich by the
product of his genius and his patient
toll.
It's all right, old man." said the
mill superintendent.
Nelson nodded.
IF you don't mind I'll call up Mr..
Bryan, the president Of the company,
and ask him to run over" suggested
Lansing.
The mill president, a gray and court
ly gentleman, reached the house with
in a half hour, and the little throng
gathered about the machinery to see it
in operation.
"Mr. Bryan, this is Mr.. Nelson said
Lansing. introducing the president to
his fellow worker. "You have heard
me speak of him. l thought his
achievement of such Importance that
no time should be lost in informing
you of It."
Mr.. Bryan extended his hand to Mel
son.
81 am glad to meet you." he said.
'and / hope that your invention will
prove all that Mr.. Lansing expects OF