The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-24

sometimes these stories would fall on unreceptive ears. This was the case of high-brow Charles l.. Clark, whose conceptions of the proper conversational accomplish ments of a proper young man ex- cluded anything lower in the scale than a good old Biblical aphorism. Charles was very highly educated man, a physicist and general scien- tist.
 He became shocked at what he considered the vulgarity of some of the raconteurs the first time he sat down to a midnight feast. Finally he imagined he couldn't stand the strain on his tummy.
 Clark took his food and went over and sat down on the other side of the laboratory. Upton, the great mathematical physicist, man. aged to sidle up to him and told him that if he didn't come off his high perch he would never get along at Menlo Park. But the rest of the boys passed so many jibes and wisecracks in his direction un- til poor Charlie prayed for the nights work to finish.
 The next evening, however, a complete revolution had been worked in his soul. Arising from everyone fiat by challenging the chairman with a tale that hit the spot. With whoops of glee the boys dragged the chairman from his throne and with Charlie mounted on their shoulders finally slammed him in the seat of the mighty.
 -Af these midnight feasts when tho meal was oyer there was gen. erally some singing. In one corner of the labortory Edison had install- cd an organ.
 He had a fondness for his kina Of musical instrument, and while he didn't whistle, he often sang. His favorite songs. however, were Ilpt likely to help one out of state of mental depression. He vent In for the sad songs, and Major Hammer says they were ter rfbly sad. One of his favorites was "My Poor Heart Is Sad With I{s Weeping." At times Edison WNo Paoy eaAo oA5ou AAusohs
 After vocal refreshments, boxing gloves were often brought out of the corner, and Edison could often be seen standing on a chair yell ing like a schoolboy when one of the scientists was smacked down.
 Then came the resumption of work. It often went far into the early hours of the morning. Some would succumb to sleep while oth- CTS plugged away with unabated interest. The bodies of these young men seemed made of iron. One of the favorite laboratory Jokes was to arouse the sleeper in various ways. The "boys" had put their mechanical ingenuity into very novel alarm clock. It con- sisted of @ soap box on the side of which had been mounted a cog wheel. The wheel was turned by D handle from the outside. Rest Ing on the cog wheel was barrel ttaff which made an internal rocket. This was known as the ~corpse reviver." It would ba roll ed alongside slumberer and when the crank was turned he generally thought the noise of hell had been cut loose.
 If such an arrangement as the s3corpse reviver" were not subtle enough, there was a fluid. When spilled on a piece of paper and put nncer the chair of a sleeper spon- fanecus combustion occurred. The drowser usually catapuletd out of his seat an draced for the nearest xVafer to sit down in while the room rang with laughter.
 Not only were there no hours 1n the Edison laboratory. but there was also. no ordained day ,of rest. This was due to the fact 4hat Edison never worried about brlmstone and fire or orthodox rSllgion. Evreyone but Major Hammer worked seven days q weok and the way he secured hts day of rest nearly resulted In his discharse.
 one Saturday morning Major Hammer and chap named Poiner ~erS working in the laboratory toe x1l11<. FQiufef U44 a very naee