The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1876-03-09
MISCELLANY,
A VICTIM TO MODERN INVENTION.

Since quite child Harry Gradient had
been noted for 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 cars in some other Of the
mechanical sciences. His knack of in.
vention was truly wonderful, though as
yet-at the time I write Harry was
twenty-five-my friend had had few op.
portunities Of turning it to a practical
purpose. He and were both engaged in
some engineering works On the continent,
undertaken by an English firm. After
we had been there some months, Harry
received the welcome news that a rela-
tive had died, leaving him q nice little
property and comfortable house, some
miles out of London.
Prior to leaving me to return to Eng.
land-for there was much TO be done in
the way of setting the property and house
in ordcr-my friend said. with his usual
enthusiasm: SHARK, my boy (my name
is Mark Mildmay), shall expect you to
como and see me when you come back.
another eighteen months or so, and that
will just give me time to set my house in
order. Such house my boy! You've
never seen such one as it shall be. I
mean to give up engineering for the pub.
lie, and to exercise my talents in that
way for my own benefit and comfort; my
house shall be full of ingenious and curl.
GUS contrivances, such as have never been
seen before.''
limo passed on, and the business I
had been ingaged in was. completed, and I
had returned home. had written to Har.
~ occasionally, and as soon as he heard
had arrived in England, nc sent me a
pressing invitation to come and visit
him.
gladly accepted the invitation. for I
wanted to see my old friend again, and
wrote to him saying, l would run down
the next day, and arrive at station
some two miles from his house, about 6
o'clock in the evening. I therefore
packed small portmanteau, and at the
appointed time got out at the little road.
side station. Harry was there waiting
for me with his dog.cart; and soon
We we're bowling along pleasant country
road.
''Look," he cried; "this is my house
you see there among tho trees; and 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 we'll as some others you cannot see
from here--and to each Of them have
laid telegraph wire; SO, when I have
nothing particular to do Of IN evening, l
telegraph, will you come and have
game Of whist = or, saw Brown up town
to-day he's coming to shoot with you
tomorrow"
We now arrived at the entrance. gate;
Harry pulled up. 'I'll get down and
open it, !" said I.
"Sit still!' he cried. The gate opened
Of its own accord.
Halo! That's open sesame with =
vengeance" exclaimed. "Ho~ is it
done p
'Why. don't you sec; have placed
across the drive . plate Of iron like
ol'allow gutter when stop. the wheels,
pressing on this, cause it to sink slightly
this, acting on levers and cranks under.
ground, opens tho gate; and 4 catch
holds it so, until We pass over q similar !
one on the other side, which releases it, !
and the gate falls to-
"Well. that's very convenient
10 be sure it is-saves mo a lodge and |
gate.keeper.''
We now drove up to tho house where
the groom was waiting to take the horse.
and the house-maid was opening the door
do you see, Mark; they had notice Of
our coming E When We stopped at tho
cato tho weight of the dogcart pressed
two electrical wires into contact, which.
passing underground, rang one bell in the |
stable yard and another in the Kitchen. ]
50 that when we arrive the servants are
ready to attend upon u.s.
= We now entered the house. Miss Ora.
dent met US in the hall, and was intro.
duced to her by her. brother. I should
never have supposed her to be Harry's
sister, for she was tall and gxunt; and
whether it was the blue spectacles or
not could not say, but she struck me as
being 1rigid and severe; not at all the
sort Of : person you would care to offend.
She. however, babe mo welcome asking
mo if I had = pleasant journey, &c.
As l was taking of my oycrcoat in tn.
wall I exclaimed: Why, Harry, what on
carth{is that neutrality-suspicious. ma.
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