Year: 1859




Some years ago, in little city in the West
liv ed Richard Miller, an honest, industrious
sober sh oemaker. He had emigrated from
Philadelphia few years previous to the op-
ening of my story. with his wife and child !;
by economy and the closest attention to bus
iness he managed to lay up six hundred dol
lars. This sum he would have undoubtedly
so increased as to place himself and family
beyond the reach Of want in few years, had
it not been for that insidioue monster con-
sumption. The fell destroyer came to him,
as usual in such cases, in bad cold and for
long time be fsttered himself into the be-
lief that 1t was only bad cold but like a
skillful miner and sapper, IL soon undermin.
ed his constitution, and he began to have a
faint glimmering of bis real condition.


There was no use staying any longer in
the West, SO he sold out his stock and fix
lures. and returned to Philadelphia, where
he took up bis permanent abode. Having
become entirely too weak to work, he spent
bis days in that inactive, but petulant state
so common to consunptives.


One day be took il into his head to consult
an eminent physican-one OF the professors
of medical college-in order to ascertain
bis true condition. He called upon him.
stated bis case, and underwent the customa-
ry examination.


young man." said the professor, "your
lungs are badly affected, and am only deal
ing frankly with you when l say, that in my
opinion, you are not long for this world"


Miller's heart sank within him as he heard
his doom. He had the most implicit conf
dence in the professor; and as he thought OF
his wife and child, he felt very much as tho
for the future, the world would be blank
to him.


Ibid you ever drink whiskey :" inquired
the professor, as he paced the room.


"Never, except upon one, or perhaps two,
occasions" said Miller.


"You can keep yourself alive two years
probably three-by the moderate use of
whskey. 1t isa dangerous prescription, but
in giving it to you have reason to believe
that you will not let it get the mastery over
you. Get the best article you can buy, and
drink a pint Of il day"


Poor Miller, ready to grasp at the merest
shadow OF relief, went to a liquor store and
purchased demijohn of Bourbon whisky,
and commenced taking doses OF it at inter
walls during the day.


A year rolled away. and Miller was much
improved. His cough was easier, and the
stimulus appeared to impart kind of artd-
cial strength to his body, but regret to say
his appetite, which never before craved alco-
holic drinks, had assumed an abnormal con-
dition, to appease which it required not less
than three quarts per diem. He felt that he
was not doing much toward retardng his
march down TO the grave; but the heavy do
ses of alcoholic stimulants invested the past
present aud future with feeling Of oblivi-
ousness that was quite a relief to his melan-
choly broodings over bis misery when he was
properly himself.


When in this state Miller loved solitude,
aud he frequently walked as far away from
home as his strength would permit him-gen-
orally in the neighborhood of the brickyaIds
in the southwestern part of the city.


One day having extended his walk beyond
his usual limits, and being overtaken by a
thunderstorm, when be reached the brick
yards, he took shelter under the shed Of one
of them. Having drank an unusual quanti-
ty of whiskey during the day, he fell asleep
upon ihe wheelbarrow upon which he was
resting, while the storm was still raging ;
nor did he awake until the dawn Of the next
day, a mild, beautiful June morning. Al
first he was mystifed but soon recalled to
his reflection the storm and the brickysrd
and feeling somewhat drowsy, he composed
himself for another nap.


1t is uncertain how long be slept-p roba-
bly, not over half an hcur-but during that
time be had remarkable vision. He dream
ed out the principles Of a machine for the
manufacture of brick-a machine that would
in q great measure supersede all hand labor
Every wheel, cog and casting passed tbrou 81
his brain, and in his dream be even saw th,
machine in practical operation. When h'
awoke it was qnite light, and be FASTENED t.
his home. His mind was entirely taken NJ
I With the machine, his dream having evi