“Bob Fulton sat on the seat and took hold of the iron bar. This he turned like one would turn the crank on a well-handle. In revolving, this bar turned the paddles around in the water and the propelling moved the boat through the water.
“The boys were so delighted at the success of the plan that they did nothing else all day but ride up and down the stream.
“That night the boys told of their invention and fun, and Bob was praised for his work. Then he thought of the value such an idea might have for others, and he worked and planned until he finally evolved the side-wheel boats. Later, he invented the way to propel boats by steam instead of horse-power in turning the wheels.
“From this small beginning, we have today the great ocean steamers and other craft that sail our seas.”
“Dat’s a fine story, Miss Martin. Tell us anudder like it,” said the children.
“You Little Citizens are always hungry for more,” laughed the story-teller.
“Well, yeh see, Miss Marting, a feller can’t never get enough of truth, kin he?” remarked a young wonder.
Miss Martin was so struck by the logic of this reply that she sat down and looked at the little speaker in amazement. Then she said: “For that remarkable sentence, Jimmy, I will tell you a true story of King Solomon, the wisest judge and man of words that ever lived.
“Of course you have heard me speak of the Queen of Sheba and how she tried to catch Solomon in many ways but failed!
“One day she brought in two garlands of flowers exactly alike. One could not tell one from the other, so alike were they.