Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-01-23
A Story and
A Talk


little Joe were building things with
their meccano outfits.
81 have no more little screws wall
ed Joe.
Here's one. Joey" said Arthur,
promptly, and then he laid down his
own work. Let me see how you're
getting along He took his little
brothers half-finished work. and in
spected 1t carefully before handing 1t
back. Then he took up his own piece
again and worked few minutes, lin
ally holding it off at arms length.
There" he said triumphantly, I'm
not going to do any more
why not?' asked Uncle Joe.
ooh, it's only play, you know; and
when you can see how it'll look when
finished, you don't need to finish 1T,
you see. Then, too, I'm tired, and l
guess I'll go outdoors
81 can't finish mine, either, and l
guess I'll go too said Joey, and out
they went after promising Aunt Mar
garet that they would put everything
away as soon as they came in.
Uncle Joe looked across at Aunt
Margaret, and both looked at Jimmie
who, bent over his work, was fasten-
ing the little screws in place.
"Why don't you go, Jimmie? he ask.
ed; but he knew hat the answer would
be. You see, he knew Jimmie.
"Cause l want to finish this first"
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. 1--WE put this on hind part
foremost. Now I'll have to do 1t all
over" And he worked away until a
fine little truck stood finished upon
the floor "Now I'll go out" he said
Margaret said Uncle Joe, Arthur
has a bad habit. He never hnlshes
His mind is quick and leaps
ahead. He sees how thing will look
when completed, and that's all ne
cares for. It is his own amusement ne
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 Is only seven" said Uncle
Joe, "but he sticks to thing until he
finishes it. He has the mental image;
then he completes it In actual wood or
steel. Jimmie will succeed in life
where Arthur and little Joe will fail
81 don't see why argued Aunt Mar
earet. 81 think the trouble is partly
that Arthur and Joe are not as strong
in body as Jimmie, and they tire
sooner. All they need is little en-
to finish the work oegun
after they have rested a while. AND
It is not fair to them unless we give
them that encouragement. But here
they come now
With glowing cheeks the two boys
came in and at once pounced upon the
truck, and when Jimmie
came in he found them running IT PACK
and forth, carrying little loaos'
"Yours1l be just as good as mine wnen
it's down, Arthur" he said. IN nm
ish it for you, and then III nn1sn
Joey's.'
Hold on there" said Uncle Joe.
Don't work any more now, Jimmie.
It's nearly supper time. You boys
come over here, and I'll tell you
story"
Instantly the toys were deserted,
and Uncle Joe began his story.
"There is man in New York, the
editor of a 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 he had written OF the
first telephone that was invented"
"Mr. Bell invented the telephone"
said Arthur, proud Of his knowledge.
"Well I always thought so,' said
Uncle Joe. until I read what Mr.. Br1s-
hane wrote. It seems that long be-
rorn Mr. Rell invented the telephone,
a man in Germany had thought one
out. and had made one for MS own
amusement. He could sing through IT,
and whistle through it, but the taking
voice did not carry we'll enough 10
allow q conversation to be carried on:
There were two little parts, calico
that he thought should not
touch.
"Wen he amused himself and MS
neighbors with his toy for while.
10 had had an idea that voice at
one end of a wire could be heard at
tho other end. He tested out enough
RI knov that his idea was true, ana
then he stopped. He stopped be1ore
no had made his work as perfect as
It might have been made
"This Germans name was Rels.
Long after his day, Bell, an American,
also had the idea of an instrument
which would allow people at ais
lance from one another to converse
clearly. He worked over his IDEA
for long time. His instrument was
not a success, but he wouldn't gave up.
One day he touched tiny screw. ne
moved it so slightly you would
scarcely notice any change. But tne
which Refs kept apart
touched each other, and, 10! there was
the telephone. If Bell had given up
before he had really finished his work,
the world would have had to wait 1or
the telephone until another man haa
the proper idea. When one plan iall-
ed he tried another. He doubtless had
to rest in between times, for our Doc
les and minds grow weary, but he al,
ways went back, and went back, until
he finished his work and the WONDER
ful part of the story is that the entire
success Of the invention lay IN the
turning of little screw only one
WhV even