"
Besides these, he had read several books about chemistry.
He loved to read about great men and their deeds.
When he played, it was at building plank roads, digging caves, and
exploring the banks of the canal.
When only twelve years of age, he was obliged to go out into the
world and earn his own living.
He obtained a place as train-boy on the Grand Trunk Railroad, in
Eastern Michigan.
He sold apples, peanuts, song-books, and papers.
He had such a pleasant, sunny face that everyone liked to buy of
him.
He succeeded so well that soon he had four boys working under him.
This was not enough to keep him busy.
He had never lost his liking for chemistry.
He managed to trade some of his papers for things with which to try
experiments.
He found a book which helped him.
He fitted up an old baggage car as a room for his experiments.
He was afraid some one would touch his chemicals; so he labelled
every bottle, "Poison."
Soon this busy boy had another business.
He bought three hundred pounds of old type from the "Detroit Free
Press."
He had gained a little knowledge of printing by keeping his eyes
open when buying papers.
Soon a paper, called the "Grand Trunk Herald," was printed by Master
Tom.
This paper was twelve by sixteen inches in size.
It was filled with railway gossip and many other things of interest
to travelers.
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