The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-04-10
4 VICTIM TO MODERN INVENTIONS

since Qulto cnllQ Harry Gradient had
been noted Tor his ingenuity in devising
various mechanical oddities. When not
engaged in graver pursuits he was sure
to be ankle-deep in some hydraulic
scheme, or head over ears in some other
Of the mechanical sciences. His knack
of invention was truly wonderful, though
as yet--at the time | write, Harry was
twenty-fve-my friend had had few op-
portunities oil turning it to practical
purpose. He and l were both engaged
in some engineering works on the Con-
anent, undertaken by an English firm.
After we had been there some months,
Harry received the welcome news that
relative had died, leaving him nice
little property and a comfortable house,
some miles outof London.
Prior to leaving nae to return to En-
gland-for there was much to be done IN
| the way of setting the property and
house in order-my friend said, with his
usual enthusiasm:
stMark, my boy, (my name is Mark
Mildmay) shall expect you to come and
see me wnen you come back. 1 suppose
you are booked here Tor another eighteen
months or SO, and that will just give me
time to set my house in order. Such a
house, my boyl You've never seen such
one as it shall be. ] mean to give up
else my talents in that way Tor my own
benefit and comfort; my house shall be
ft1ll OF ingenious and curious cohtri-
vances, such as have never been seen
before"
Time passed on, and the business I had
been engaged in was completed, and ]
returned home. / had written to Harry
occasionally; ana as soon as he heard |
had arrived in England he sent me a
pressing invitation to come and visit
nim.
Igladly accepted the invitation, tor !
wanted to see my old friend again, and
wrote to him saying would run down
the next day, and arrive at a station
some two miles from his house, about q
O'Clock in the evening. L therefore
packed a small portmanteau; and at tue
appointed time got out at The little road
side station. Harry was there waiting
for me with his degcart; and soon we
were bowling along u peasant country
road.
Look" he cried, "that is my house
you see there among the trees; aud This
we are passing, and that one beyond,
and the other, whose Chimney you can
Just see--are all occupied by friends OF
mine-as well as some others you can
not see from here--aud to each of them |
nave nothing particular to DO OF an even
ng, l telegrapl: win you come and
have game at whist? OF, Il saw Brown
in town to-day; he's coming to shoot
with you Tomorrow"
We now arrived at the entrance-gate I;
Harry pulled up. "Pll get down and
open it," said 1.
sSit still" he cried. The gate opened
Of its own accord.
"Hallol THAT'S 'open sesame with a
vengeance" l exclaimed. "How is il
,tonep
"Why, don't you see? have placed
across the drive plate OF iron like a
shallow gutter; when l stop, the wheels
pressing on this cause it to sink slightly;
his, acting on levers and cranks under
ground, opens the gate; and catch
hoids 1t so until we pass over a similar
one on the other side, which releases it,
and the gate lalls to-"
swell, that's very convenient"
"ro be sure 1t Is; saves me lodge and
gate-keeper."
We now droveup to the house, where
the groom was waiting 10 take the horse,
and the house-maid was opening the
door.
"Do you see, Mark; they had notice OF
our coming. When we stopped at the
gate, the weight OF the dogcart pressed
two electric wires into contact, which,
passing underground, rang one bell in
the stable yard and another in the
kitchen, SO that when we arrive tbe serv.
ants are ready to attend upon u.s."
We now entered the house. Miss
Gradient met US in the hall, and was
introduced to her by her brother. j
should never have supposed her TO be
Harry's sister, for she was tall and