The Perpetual Motion Machine

By Harry O'Toole

During the years of the Great Depression the Civil Conservation Corps was formed by the United States government, having determined that the young men of the nation should be employed in useful work.
The agenda of the program was to restore the forest and fields of the nation that had been abused through years of exploitative practices by having the young men replant the forest and reseed the grasslands.
Told with the robust combative humor of men, this story centers on the efforts of two staff members to teach the young men to work and live together, as well encouraging them to take these days to learn new skills.
As one young staff member goes out to explore the musical culture of the local population, the other staff member, a recently graduated mechanical engineer, hears about a man from the area who built a perpetual motion machine which continues to run after the man’s death. The engineer attempts to learn the secret mechanics of the machine. Instead he discovers a secret buried within the secret.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harry O'Toole
• Release date: Dec 25, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301885411

Book preview

THE PERPETUAL MOTION MACHINE

Harry O'Toole

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Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2011 Harry O'Toole

Copyright Number : TXu 1-631-655

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Table of Contents

PART ONE: INTO THE FOREST

COMMANDER OF THE TREE ARMY

HERE WE GO AGAIN

I SEE BY YOUR OUTFIT

VOCATIONAL TRAINING

NICKNAMES

PRAISING PRESERVES

PART TWO - THE PERPETUAL MOTION MACHINE

AMATEUR AUDITION HOUR

SPRING BACK

PRESERVING FORESTS

FIDDLING AROUND

WATER MILL

POWER OF THE DEVIL

GOING UP TOWN

PART THREE - CHECKING IT OUT

SEARCHING FOR A SOLUTION

MUSIC IN THE HOLLOWS

OLD IKE’S TOMBSTONE

THE BRASS BUTTERFLY

HIDDEN TRANSMISSION

THE MAGICAL MYSTERY MACHINE

CLOUDS OF WAR

WAR BONDS RALLY

PART ONE: INTO THE FOREST

The rhythm and beat of the engine quieted as the train coasted around a curve along the river bank. Through the open window a wisp of music floated in, becoming recognizable as choral music as a lone church on the high bank came in to view. Norman savored the music. The words were not distinct, certainly words of praise to the Lord Jesus, definite not his religions music. Even so as the music faded, he swallowed a sob and hid a tear from the boys. He so longed for the music of his home. Not the sort of thing to display to the boys as the Education Advisor for the CCC camp.

Norman retreated to another car to break his sentimental mood, less he embarrass himself.

He took a seat behind a pair of men, glancing at them before he sat down. One fellow was middle age. Norman’s quick impression was that he was likely a career military man, recruited to manage the camp. His uniform appeared wash worn , rather crumpled, compared to the young man that sat next to him, whose crisp uniform looked store bought , right out of the box. To serve as a distraction from his own thoughts, he eavesdropped on their conversation. The conversation was political, regarding many of President Roosevelt’s programs to guide the nation out of the economic depression. The older fellow exclaimed President Hoover did nothing but twiddle his thumb for three years. When President Roosevelt took office, he took action! A nation this wealthy just couldn’t let its young men starve. That’s why I voted for Mr. Roosevelt. He started these camps to put the men to work.

Norman thought to himself, I have heard this all before, but it is better than speculating on sports which is about as boring as speculating on tomorrow’s weather. The conversation switched to the older man questioning the training of his seat mate. Norman gathered enough of the conversation to learn that the fellow was a recent graduate from a state college; like himself in desperation had joined the army. Norman was relieved by the notion he was not to be in bed with all career army men. Military men in his impression, lived too strongly by rule books, dress codes, attitude codes; on and on.

COMMANDER OF THE TREE ARMY

The bus riders where marched directly into the mess hall. Experience had taught the staff that a good meal eased the anxiety. After they ate they were allowed time to talk across the table.

A loud rap on the staffs table brought enough break in the conversations for the commander to introduce himself, giving them all a welcome. He went directly to outline the camps purpose and situation, leaving out rules and behavior regulations for a later time.

Commander Krawsky, You men must have observed that this camp has been established earlier, it is not the raw tent city of the first years. The men who built this mess hall and barracks have fulfilled their duties! As you rode in you saw the hills covered in what may look like a dwarf forest. Those first boys were indeed the Tree Army. They planted these pine trees by the millions. Before these hills were worthless barren rock piles. Within a few years they will be producing valuable timber; an amazing accomplishment. Your general duty will to be care for them, protect them from fires. Local custom permits open range of domestic animals, that is pigs, cattle, goats. They will graze them to the ground. Those trees planted in the first years, now require timber stand improvement. A forestry method will be taught here. What is being done here today is like money deposited in a bank; an investment in the future wealth of this nation. This is the basic work. On our agenda are two other major projects to be accomplished in the next two years here; first to erect a series of fire lookout towers. Second to construct a dam across a minor stream to serve as fishing lake with a swimming beach, which in the future will become a public camp ground, a lasting gift to the nation. Tomorrow you will be introduced to your individual group leaders, assignments, rules, regulation and other routine boring information. I know that after your full meal I can’t keep this audience awake long. So nighty night for now. The final homey, nighty night left them laughing as they were led to their barracks.

HERE WE GO AGAIN

The new staff members met in the base commander’s office. Commander Krawsky introduced himself again, called two men to stand, who he introduced as his assistants. One was the fellow Clarence, recognized by Norman as the fellow that was on the train talking to the new staff member. The other assistant was named Ralph, a rather rigid looking, slim built man, in his early forties. The commander had the new staff members stand, give their name and give a brief description of their experience, education and careers. Hadley, after pronouncing his long last name slowly said, I am an engineer. Spontaneously several in the audience began making train sounds, woo, woo; chug, chug. As Hadley sat down, Norman edged toward his seat. At the break for coffee, as they stood waiting to be served, Norman made the comment, I see what we are in for with these rough fellows. Hadley, It’s all in fun; I guess I came across as too pompous in my introduction. Norman, No, you have a right to be proud that you have a degree. Hadley, You sound like you have had an education. Norman, Yes, but I did not want to give the full details. I actually have been an instructor, but it was teaching the history of classical music. I have a degree in that; I have no wish to let them label me as a high brow".

I SEE