A first book in American history with European beginnings . pendent; Spain ceded tothe United States Porto Rico and the Philippine Islands, forwhich the United States paid $20,000,000. XXXIXTHOMAS A. EDISON NEWSBOY AND TELEGRAPH OPERATOR The naming pine knot used long ago burned well, andpine was easy to get. But it smoked and dripped tar in the cabins of the early house-wives, so candles came totake its place. Candles give a mellowlight. But they were expen-sive to buy, and it was tediousto dip, dip the twisted wicksin the melted tallow, so whale-oil lamps were introduced. Then some fifty-odd
A first book in American history with European beginnings . pendent; Spain ceded tothe United States Porto Rico and the Philippine Islands, forwhich the United States paid $20,000,000. XXXIXTHOMAS A. EDISON NEWSBOY AND TELEGRAPH OPERATOR The naming pine knot used long ago burned well, andpine was easy to get. But it smoked and dripped tar in the cabins of the early house-wives, so candles came totake its place. Candles give a mellowlight. But they were expen-sive to buy, and it was tediousto dip, dip the twisted wicksin the melted tallow, so whale-oil lamps were introduced. Then some fifty-odd yearsago whale oil was pushedaside for kerosene, which sup-plies to-day the customarylight of the farmers people in towns andcities as well still use the kero-sene lamp, but unlike theisolated farmer they do so from choice. The city housesof the present may be lighted by the soft light of gas orthe steady glow of Thomas Edisons electric bulb. Thomas Edisons father was not well to do, and veryearly Thomas had to begin to earn money. He was 380. Copyright, Pack Bros., N. ¥., A. Edison. THOMAS A. EDISON twelve years old when he became newsboy on the GrandTrunk Railroad, and a pretty shrewd newsboy he was soon learned that exciting news sold better than dryitems, and he would run over a papers headlines and judgehow many he could sell before deciding how many hewould buy. What is more, he printed the only newspaperever printed on a train—a little paper full of railroad gossip. One thing that especially fascinated the newsboy wasthe click, click of the telegraph. Endless questions wereput to the operators along the road. Then came a daywhen the little child of a station agent was playing on thetrack, all unnoticed. Down upon it came a freight train,nearer and nearer. When it was almost too late, Edisonspied the child. Like a flash he made a dive, grabbed thebaby, and cleared the track without a moment to grateful father could hardly do le
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, bookidfirstbookina, bookyear1921
