"Can it be Done?"

Evening Star, Issue 7337, 8 October 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

"Can it be Done?"

"I have been told," said Mr Dubious, watching the great steam hammer in the rolling-mill, " that a good hammer-man can break the crystal of a watch with that 30-ton hammer." "Yes, sir," said the hammerman, "it can be done." " I should like to see it," said Mr Dubious, tagerly feeling in his watch-pocket. "I. can do it, sir," replied the man. " And will you ?" replied Mr Dubious, drawing out his watch ; "I am anxious to see it tried." He laid bis watch on the great anvil plate. The hammer rose up to its full height, and the next instant all its ponderous weight, with a crushing force that shook the ground for an acre around, camedown on the watch. " There," said the hammer-man quietly, " if you don't believe that crystal is broken, just stoop down, and you can see it sticking to the hammer." Mr Dubious swallowed a whole procession of lumps and gasps before he could speak. "But I forgot to say," he exclaimed, " that it was to break the crystal without injuring the watch." " Oh, yes," said the hammer-man, "yes, I know; I have heard that rubbish myself; but it's all gammon. I don't believe it can be done. But you can break the crystal every time."