At the same time a bolt dropping from the locomotive struck the driving-rod and was hurled at him. It hit his forehead and drove him backward. His neck struck with great force against the brake lever, and he fell to the floor helpless. Despite the blow, however, he reached for the lever as he fell and in some manner threw it into a notch which set the safety-brakes, and the train stopt a few yards from the rear end of the freight.
When the fireman reached Daniels he was helpless, unable to move, and is now but little better.—Baltimore American.
(2190)
Nerve Essential in Christian Work—See [Missionary Adaptation].
NERVOUSNESS
Of the physical limitations under which Herbert Spencer worked many interesting glimpses are given. When writing his last book, “Facts and Comments,” published a short time before his death and the result of two years’ work, he was able to produce only ten lines a day. Even when a young man he was afflicted with a nervousness from which he sought relief in playing quoits and rackets. Each of these games he would play in some court attached to a house or pavilion, and after playing about twenty minutes would retire to cover and resume his writing until the nervousness returned, when he would play again. (Text.)
(2191)
NEW AND OLD
A professor of mathematics from America was visiting a college in North China. To a native professor there he said, “There is a new method in mathematics being taught in America. It is called the ‘short cut,’ and is a method of casting out the nines.” Imagine his surprize when the Chinese scholar replied, “The Chinese have been practising that method farther back than recorded history goes.” And he called a pupil up to prove it. Sure enough, it was the “short cut,” the casting out of the nines.
New things are not so new, and old things are coming to light. (Text.)