12 INTRODUCTORT. 



Them T see were going to be of use and help to him, 



Then making ax-helves I went at it again. 



Of these I kept on hand a small supply, 



AVhile my helves could be found in the barrel no helves would he buy. 



Somewhere about this time I went to learn the blacksmith trade : 

 At that time I was about fourteen years of age , 

 To go to work at that busmess my father opposed it some; 

 That is very hard business, I am afraid you are too young. 



I was very anxious to learn a trade, some place to find 



To learn the blacksmith trade, T had not thought of, that was not the 



kind. 

 The carpenter's trade, when I was a boy, was- what I wanted to learn. 

 It is curious sometimes how quick our course is turned. 

 • 

 At this at first I commenced on a very small scale. 



The first thing I tried to make was a horse nail. 



Small hammers, jewsharps, hooks to catch the trout^ I made. 



Repaired old gun-locks, put in tubes and jackknife blades. 



Of this kind of work I always had some on hand to do. 



In order to learn this trade I must always be trying something new. 



To make a gun, that, too, I must try and see if could make. 



I got along very well, all but the mainspring, that would break. 



Several locks for this gun I made, all new ; 



The mainspring would break, the very best I could do. 



How many springs I made, of course I do not know ; 



There was a great many : every time I tried them, clung they would ga 



I learned in springs the temper must very low be. 



After making and breaking many you can see, 



And the steel varies to a very great degree. 



That, too. I did not know at that time; thai bothered me. 



I did learn after a long time these sprmgs to make. 

 And could do it very quick, and they would not break. 

 No receipt can be laid down that is good for tempering steel; 

 In all degrees steel varies quite a great deal. 



Many different kinds of mechanical work I have tried to do; 

 The art of taking likenesses, that I have worked at U)0. 



