Reading Made Easy for Foreigners - Third Reader Part 19

SELECTION XXI

HUMAN PROGRESS

All is action, all is motion, In this mighty world of ours; Like the current of the ocean, Man is urged by unseen powers.

Steadily, but strongly moving, Life is onward evermore; Still the present is improving On the age that went before.

Duty points with outstretched fingers, Every soul to action high; Woe betide the soul that lingers-- Onward! onward! is the cry.

Though man's form may seem victorious, War may waste and famine blight, Still from out the conflict glorious, Mind comes forth with added light.

O'er the darkest night of sorrow, From the deadliest field of strife, Dawns a clearer, brighter morrow, Springs a truer, n.o.bler life.

Onward! onward! onward, ever!

Human progress none may stay; All who make the vain endeavor Shall, like chaff, be swept away.

_J. Hagan_.

LESSON LXIV

GEORGE STEPHENSON, THE ENGINEER

A famous engineer, named Stephenson, was the first person to demonstrate the fact that an engine could be built which would draw a train of cars on a railway. He was an Englishman. His parents were poor, and the whole family had to live in one room. George was one of six children; none of them were sent to school, because they had to work for their living.

From an early age George had a.s.sisted his father in tending the fires of the steam engine which worked the machinery of a large coal mine.

He devoted himself to the study of this engine until he had mastered every detail of its construction. In 1813, a rich n.o.bleman entrusted him with money to carry out his favorite plan of building a "traveling engine," as he then called it.

He made an engine that was fairly successful, as it drew eight loaded cars on a railway at a speed of four miles an hour. But he was not contented; he knew that he could do much better. Soon afterward, he was employed to construct another engine, in which he made some great improvements that enabled it to go twice as fast as the other.

Accounts of Stephenson's great invention crept into print, and people began to have faith in the locomotive. In 1822, a company began to build a line of railway between two towns named Stockton and Darlington. Stephenson was employed to construct the road-bed and build the engines. It was completed three years later, and was the subject of great popular curiosity.

Great crowds came to see the line opened. Stephenson himself drove the first engine. The train consisted of thirty-four cars. The signal was given and the train started. Great was the sensation as it moved off, and still greater was the admiration of the people at Stockton when the train arrived there after a safe journey. Thus, in 1825, was opened the first railway ever made for public use.

Stephenson was soon engaged in constructing a railway between Manchester and Liverpool. But now a storm of opposition broke out.

Pamphlets and newspaper articles were written, making fun of Stephenson, and declaring that the new railroad would be a failure. It was claimed that the engine would certainly set fire to the surrounding country, that it would explode and kill the pa.s.sengers, and that it would run over the people before they could get out of its way.

A committee was appointed by the English Parliament to look into the matter. They sneered at Stephenson as a lunatic, when he a.s.sured them that he could run his engine at twelve miles an hour. One of these wise men said to him: "Suppose a cow were to get in the way of an engine running at that rate of speed, wouldn't that be a very awkward circ.u.mstance?" "Yes," answered Stephenson, "very awkward for the cow."

But the consent of Parliament was at last obtained, and the line was completed in 1830, after many great obstacles had been overcome. It was shown that a train could be run at thirty miles an hour with safety, and thus the enemies of Stephenson were silenced.

Stephenson superintended the building of many other lines of railroad, and lived to see his best hopes realized. He became quite wealthy, and many honors were bestowed upon him. Nevertheless he remained always a simple, kindly man, even in his years of prosperity.

When England had experienced such success with railways, it was not long before America began building railroads on a large scale.

More than three hundred thousand miles of railroads are now in operation in the United States, and many more miles are added each year. The great systems of railways, with their modern improvements for fast travel, are a triumph of skill, energy and enterprise.

LESSON LXV

GEORGE WAs.h.i.+NGTON

_PART II_

The boundary war between France and the British possessions in America had been the cause of the war from 1753 to 1759 in which Was.h.i.+ngton and thousands of his countrymen did gallant services. It ended with the surrender of Quebec, by which France lost her foothold in the Ohio valley and all the territory east of the Mississippi.

Ten years later, the whole aspect had changed. The same country, for which our forefathers in the colonies had sacrificed some of their n.o.blest sons, was now beginning to oppress these very colonies. By unjust taxation, England tried to replenish her treasury, which a protracted war across the seas had made empty. But though the war against the French in the interest of England had cost the colonies in America some of its best blood, it had not been without its salutary lesson. America had learned its own strength as well as the weakness of the British soldiers and her public officials. Was.h.i.+ngton, above all, knew these facts too well. He was, however, no agitator, and for many reasons was deeply attached to old England. He, therefore, cautioned reserve and forbearance without sacrificing his patriotism.

In the meantime the Revolution came to an outbreak. Was.h.i.+ngton was called upon by his compatriots to lead them on to liberty. After careful examination and due consideration he consented, and Was.h.i.+ngton took command of the colonial troops in the war against England. "It is my intention," said he, "if needs be, to sacrifice my life, my liberty and all my possessions in this holy cause."

Thus, we see him leading the army, animated with the n.o.blest sentiments. General Was.h.i.+ngton was now forty-three years of age and in the full power of manhood. His personality was distinguished and his bearing serene. He electrified the whole army.

The Colonial troops, however, were not at all times equal to the well-drilled English soldiers, and General Was.h.i.+ngton had a difficult task before him. But what the Americans lacked in military tactics, they doubly possessed in enthusiasm and courage.

From Lexington and Boston, Bunker Hill and Concord, through Connecticut, New York, Philadelphia, Valley Forge, and from Princeton to Morristown was a wearisome march. Want of provisions for the army under his command, as well as many other disappointments, might well have discouraged any but the stoutest heart. General Was.h.i.+ngton was a hero, and he trusted in G.o.d and the ultimate success of the country's just cause. When at last the American army was in sorest distress, there came unexpected help from many quarters.

Such n.o.ble and self-sacrificing men as Lafayette, Steuben, Kosciusko, De Kalb and De Gra.s.se arrived to aid our new republic, and after an unrelenting war of six long years, British rule was forever banished from the land.

On the 4th of December, 1782, General Was.h.i.+ngton took leave of the continental army. His memorable speech on that occasion is a masterpiece of unselfish patriotism.

He retired to his home at Mount Vernon, followed by the heartfelt blessings of a grateful people. His private life was one of regularity in all his doings. His hospitality was renowned, and Mount Vernon soon became a much frequented, much beloved place of reunion for many distinguished visitors.

Not a great many years was Was.h.i.+ngton permitted to enjoy his well-merited repose in his country home. The same country of which he had been the successful liberator, now called upon him to lead and guide this newly established government. Was.h.i.+ngton was chosen the First President of the United States of America in 1789.

It was at this time that he wrote in his diary: "To-day I take leave of private life and domestic happiness with feelings of regret, and am preparing to enter upon my official career. I hope I shall be able to realize the expectations my country has placed in me."

His journey from Mount Vernon to New York became one of triumph. He was met with the greatest enthusiasm throughout the country wherever he pa.s.sed. He took his oath of office in New York City where the sub-treasury now stands.

Was.h.i.+ngton was elected a second time for the presidency. His presidential career was characteristic of the man and the hero.

An equitable and conservative government was administered by him, and the young republic was prosperous and progressive during his two terms of office.

Having returned once more to his beloved Virginia home, Was.h.i.+ngton now spent his declining years in much needed rest and quiet recreation.

In the fall of the year 1799 Was.h.i.+ngton was seized with a malignant fever. The best medical aid proved unavailing, and the Father of our Country died on the 14th day of December. His last words were: "Let me die in peace; I am not afraid to die, it is a debt we all must pay."

The exemplary life and the many n.o.ble achievements of this truly great man stand almost unique in the history of nations.

LESSON LXVI

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN