CHAPTER XIV.
CHARLES GOODYEAR.
Discovery of India-rubber—Mode of collecting it—Preparation and use by the natives—Its introduction into the United States—Mr. E.M. Chaffee's process—The India-rubber fever—Brief success of the India-rubber companies—Their sudden failure—Visit of Mr. Goodyear to New York—He invents an improvement in the life preserver—Early history of Charles Goodyear—His failure as a merchant—Offers his invention to the Roxbury Company—The agent's disclosures—Mr. Goodyear finds his mission—His first efforts—A failure—Discouraging state of his affairs—Renews his efforts—Experiments in India-rubber—Coldness of his friends—His courage and perseverance—Goes to New York—Accidental discovery of the aqua fortis process—Partial success—Ruined—Life on Staten Island—Removes to Boston—Delusive prosperity—The mail bag contract—His friends urge him to abandon his efforts—He refuses—On the verge of success—Discovers the usefulness of sulphur—The inventor's hope—The revelation—Discovers the secret of vulcanization—Down in the depths—Kept back by poverty—A beggar—A test of his honesty—Starvation at hand—The timely loan—Removal to New York—Difficulties in the way—Death of his youngest child—Finds friends in New York—His experiments in vulcanization—Final success—His heart in his work—Fails to secure patents in Europe—His losses from dishonest rivals—Declaration of the Commissioner of Patents—Death of Mr. Goodyear—Congress refuses to extend his patent—His true reward.