Knowledge and Inventions 



spare bedroom where some tools were kept. I 

 did the making and mending on the farm, but 

 one day at noon, when I happened to be away, 

 father went upstairs for a hammer or something 

 and discovered the mysterious machine back 

 of the bedstead. My sister Margaret saw him 

 on his knees examining it, and at the first 

 opportunity whispered in my ear, "John, 

 fayther saw that thing you 're making upstairs." 

 None of the family knew what I was doing, but 

 they knew very well that all such work was 

 frowned on by father, and kindly warned me 

 of any danger that threatened my plans. The 

 fine invention seemed doomed to destruction 

 before its time-ticking commenced, though I 

 thought it handsome, had so long carried it in 

 my mind, and like the nest of Burns's wee 

 mousie it had cost me mony a weary whittling 

 nibble. When we were at dinner several days 

 after the sad discovery, father began to clear 

 his throat to speak, and I feared the doom of 

 martyrdom was about to be pronounced on my 

 grand clock. 



[ 253 1 



