INTRODUCTORY. 7 



to do with its failing. I will go back to my bo3^hood 

 days and show you where I and all others must begin. 



The first mechanical work I ever did in my life 



Was to make a sled out of shingles, my tool was a jackknife. 



With a rickety knife I borfid the runners through, 



It was all the tool I had, 'twas the best that I could do. 



The next job for me to see what luck I would have to make 

 A small bundle of ax-helves T would undertake; 

 Of course these were all small children's toys — 

 I was just like all other children and little boys. 



I made small ships, sloops, and every kind of boat ; 

 In my mother's rainwater trough I set them afloat,; 

 After a while I traded off some of my toys, 

 And got a gimlet of one of the neighbors' boys. 



Then I must make a sled that would be of use of boards 

 With this gimlet the lioles tlirough the runners I bored ; 

 There must be more tools added to my kit, 

 I cannot make the holes la?^ enough with this gimlet bit. 



These holes in these runners must bigger be. 

 Or it will not be strong enough to hold up me ; 

 These holes must be made bigger by running a hot iron through- 

 It must be made strong enough to hold up two. 



After making several sleds in this way 

 They did not suit. They had to be repaired every day. 

 They were poor and rickety things at the best — 

 Were soon all in pieces, but a few days they'd last. 



On this sled business there must be some improvement made; 

 Some of us boys will get hurt with these sleds, I am afraid. 

 They must have the beams cut in the top like a dove's tail, 

 And a board put all over the top and all solid nail. 



This proved safer and a great deal better to be, 



Now two could ride in safetj^, sometimes three. 



I had learned quite a good deal at the sleigh-making trade 



When tlus improvement on my sleiglis I iiad made. 



