The expenses of the road were heavy, and money was not always forthcoming. If the works lagged in consequence of it, the hopes of the directors fell; so that Stephenson's energies were taxed to the utmost during the four years of the work; and he showed, what observation and history both teach us, that efficient men are men of detail as well as men of great plans.
Remember this, boys—for we sometimes despise little particulars and the day of small things—that the secret of effective doing lies not only in making wise plans, but in filling up the minutest parts with promptness and fidelity. There must be detail, to achieve any great and good work. If you would possess the fruits of learning, you must get them by the toil of daily drudgery. If you undertake to become rich, you must not despise the small gains and little economies by which a fortune is made. If you would obtain a noble Christian manhood, you must not neglect hourly self-restraint, watchfulness, and prayer, or the daily exercise of those humbler virtues and godly industries which make the woof of character.
Stephenson strikingly illustrated the practical force of this principle. The minutest detail of every plan in this new enterprise was thought out and carried on by himself, or under his direct supervision. Both in summer and winter he rose early. Before breakfast you might find him on a morning round, visiting the extensive workshops where the machines and tools were made; or perhaps Bobby is brought to the door, and mounted on this his favourite horse, he is off fifteen miles to inspect the progress of a viaduct—a ride long enough to whet the appetite for a tempting breakfast, one would think. But nothing tempts him from his frugal habits: he eats "crowdie"—and that made by himself—which is nothing more or less than oatmeal hasty-pudding and milk. Again he is off, inspecting the labours of his men all along the line from point to point, pushing the works here, advising there, and inspiring everywhere. Bobby is a living witness that one beast, at least, is not to be scared by a locomotive. He can face the snorting monster without so much as a shy step, or a prick of the ears. He afraid! not Bobby.
Returning home, pay-rolls are to be examined, perhaps, when every item of expense must be accounted for; or drawings are to be made, or directions given, or letters written.
Several young men were received into his family to be trained for engineers. A second wife—frugal, gentle, and friendly—superintended his household. Their evenings were passed in study and conversation, brightened by the genial humour of the remarkable man whose genius drew them together, and whose good-tempered pleasantries relieved the heavier tasks of mind and body. The compendium of all his instruction was,—Learn for yourselves, think for yourselves, master principles, persevere, be industrious, and there is no fear for you. It is an indication of the value of these instructions, that every young man trained under him rose to eminent usefulness. "Ah," he sometimes said, on relating a bit of his own early history, "you don't know what work is in these days." And yet work is work all the world over.
In spite of the best Stephenson could do, the directors, looking at their unproductive capital, and not fully comprehending all the difficulties to be overcome, sometimes urged greater despatch.
"Now, George," said Friend Cropper one day, "thou must get on with the railway; thou must really have it opened by the first of January next."
"Consider the heavy nature of the works, sir," rejoined George, "and how much we have been delayed by want of money, to say nothing of the bad weather. The thing is impossible."
"Impossible!" cried Cropper. "I wish I could get Napoleon to thee; he would tell thee there is no such word as 'impossible.'"
"Tush!" exclaimed George, "don't tell me about Napoleon. Give me men, money, and material, and I'll do what Napoleon couldn't do—drive a railroad over Chat Moss."