pumping-engine in use at the colliery, at three dollars a week.
With a wife and six children to support, there was not much left after
satisfying the cravings of hunger. The children, soon as opportunity
afforded, were set at work to help support the family. We find young
George beginning life pulling turnips at two pence a day. At eight years
old he tended Widow Ainslie's cows at five cents a day. Later, he
received fifty cents a week when caring for horses.

Of course, it is the rule to find something in the boy indicative of the
man, and in Stephenson's case, legend or history furnishes the material.
It seems that while acting as herder, in company with other boys, it was
his favorite amusement to model engines out of clay. After a time he
received a dollar a week as assistant to his father, and at the age of
sixteen he was appointed to work as attendant upon the pumping-engine,
at men's wages,--three dollars per week. He was delighted, and it is
doubtful if he was ever happier over subsequent triumphs as a locomotive
builder, than when he was elevated to this position. He was employed at
various collieries, as fireman, and afterwards as plugman, and gradually
acquired so complete a knowledge of the engine as to be able to take it
apart and make ordinary repairs. His ingenuity in repairing an obstinate
defect in a steam engine gained him the charge of the engine.

After this his fondness for his work increased until, with study, he had
thoroughly mastered all its details. At the age of eighteen he could not
even read, and he began to long for some education, so that he might fit
himself for a higher place in his business. He accordingly commenced his
studies by taking lessons in reading, of a neighboring school-master,
three nights in a week, at a small tuition. At the end of a year he
could read and spell some, and could write his own name. He now had a
great thirst for mathematics, which he studied faithfully the second
year; at the close of which, by his attentiveness, he could cipher with
tolerable facility.

During odd moments he gave some attention to mending shoes, by which he
was able to earn a few extra pence. Among some shoes that were sent him
to repair was a pair belonging to a young lady, whom he afterward
married. In 1805 he removed to Killingworth colliery, and about this
time he was desirous of emigrating to the United States, but was unable
to raise money for his outfit and passage. He continued to