JOSEPH HENRY, LL.D. 277 



found there a book-case containing the village 

 library. The first book which attracted his atten- 

 tion was Brooke's "Fool of Quality," a work of 

 fiction. He began to read, and soon forgot about 

 his rabbit. 



From this time he made frequent visits to the 

 library, by the underground passage, reading all 

 the novels he could find. In the evening, to the 

 lads who gathered about the stove in the village 

 store, he rehearsed the wonderful things he had 

 read. He was a handsome, slender lad, of delicate 

 complexion, vivacious manners, and a great favor- 

 ite. Mr. Broderick, the proprietor, enjoyed the 

 stories, and finally obtained proper access to the 

 library for his young clerk. 



When about thirteen or fourteen, Joseph was 

 apprenticed to Mr. John F. Doty of Albany, a 

 watch-maker and silversmith. He found very 

 little pleasure in the trade, and was probably glad 

 when, after two years, the apprenticeship came to 

 an end, through Mr. Doty leaving the business. 



Of course he was out of work. He was very 

 fond of the theatre, and, having been behind the 

 scenes, had learned how stage effects are produced. 

 He now joined a private theatrical company, called 

 " The Kostrum," and was soon made president of 

 the society. He dramatized a story, and wrote a 

 comedy, both of which were acted. He seemed 

 destined to become an actor, probably not with the 

 approval of his Scotch Presbyterian mother. 



Lives are sometimes changed by seemingly triv- 



