'"
Mr. Bessemer was amused, and he ventured the assertion that when
electricity could be as cheaply produced directly from coal as the light
by the fire-fly, and successfully delivered in our great cities, the
smoke nuisance would be effectually abated, all freight charges on coal
would be saved, and coal operators could utilize all their slack at the
mines.
"Do you think this possible?" inquired Colonel Harris.
"Oh, yes, quite possible," answered Bessemer, "our necessities beget our
inventions and discoveries. Thorough investigation in the near future on
this and kindred lines must be fruitful of astonishing results in the
interests of a higher civilization." The colonel and George took their
leave. Truly the fire-fly, like the whirling hot nail, is suggestive of
great possibilities, thought George.
That evening it was planned to visit on the morrow the extensive
telegraphic works of Siemens Brothers & Co., Limited. George retired to
sleep, but his mind was never more active. On warm summer evenings he had
often held in his hand glow-worms and studied them as they emitted bright
phosphorescent light. He had learned that this faculty was confined to
the female which has no wings, and that the light is supposed to serve
as a beacon to attract and guide the male.
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