The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-05-01
CHOICE FICTION.
" PATEN'S."
All. my dear Miss Flora

ton. who at that moment went cantering
down the street. cscorting his cousin,
Georgia Neal.
Il suppose that may be considered an
engagements - commented Mr. Barnwel,
following my gaze.
"Or perhaps only Il skirmish, ! re-
joined, hastily. Mr.. Barnwell said no
more; he never argued. But | could see
he did not agree with me.
| stopped in front of q shabby little
house. This is where Wagner lives,
| said.
had known the Wagoners. husband
and wife, for some months. Mrs. Wag-
oner did my washing, and Mr.. Wagner
carried home the basket. | had employed
her originally because she needed the
work. She did it so badly. what with
scorching. mildewing. burning, that |
despaired and expostulated. She looked
helpless: but her husband looked as
though a bright idea had struck him.
After that there was a marked improve
mcnt. | suspected him of becoming my
washerman. 1t was on the occasion of
one of his weekly trips to my house that
he had requested an interview with me.
and had presented me with a bouquet
unpinned from a conical newspaper bun
die. was not unfamiliar with his bou-
quetS. which We're usually compounded
of balsams and marigolds, and of the un-
known herbs of unsavory smell which
grow in the gardens of Philistia. Hav-
ing made this presentation. he said, with
some slight hesitation, that he had some
thing to show me. "A new pat miss. =
He was nominally a cobbler by trade.
Something you use i'll your shoe-mak-
ing?" | suggested. ] thought he meant
pattern. TIE this day am not sure that
he did not.
"Oh, certainly, miss Ole always
began by saying, oh certainly" wheth-
er he finally agreed or disagreed) "No,
miss; it S a kind of 4 little wagon I've
been a-studyin out. 1t works real easy.
It's right handy little thing. miss. I'd
like to show it to you.
Il would like to see it, the whatever
it is, WAGNER
IF you d be at home tomorrow even
in miss, I'd be proud to bring it over. .
Evening in Port Royal means any hour
after twelve meridian, so | rather ex-
pected to see the paten put in an appear
ance long before dark. Instead of which
it was eleven o'clock at night when Wag-
oner rang our bell, and inquired for me.
He had made sure of finding me returned
from any walks abroad.
81 brought it over, miss. It's drawed
up close to the sidewalk. Will You look
at it?'
l went ont, accompanied by various
members of my family. There stood a
rough little cart. Wagner pulled it
backward and forward, explaining mat
ters in his eager voice.
"Tll show You how it works, miss. =
he said, finally. He got in, worked u
crank up and down, and started off down
the street at nearly brcak-neck speed.
1T goes beautifully" said, as Spokes-
woman of the party, when he stopped at
last, and stood before us, hat i'll hand.
waiting to be congratulated. Its like
velocipede.''
sob, certainly. No, miss it amt a
bit like Il velocipedc. 1t has this here
principle Acknowledgements different
Eve been assured by gentleman which
he understands these things that there
has never been nothin' cNac' ly like this
here paten' of mine aforc.
"Why. Wagner, that's splendid
You'll make your everlasting fortune
"Oh, certainly. Yes, miss. | hope
So, miss. Won't you try it. MISS
| mounted the trap, feeling myself
somewhat ridiculous. and vet wishing to
encourage inventive genius. moved
the crank as directed. and off | started
in the bright moonlight. The group in
front of our house laughed encourage
ingly. Some one said looked like Peggy
some one or other, who went to some
fair or other 1T is a capital thing.
Wagoner,' | said, having climbed out
again. You are Wagner by name and
Wagner by nature, aren't YOU
"Oh certainly. miss. Yes, miss. You
see, miss, design it especial for child en-
There amt but only the one seat now
for the person as works it, but ] mean to
put another seat on, and to fix it up real
handy. And | have another notion in
my head that'll make it go faster. Yes,
miss, and mean to set it up higher on
its wheels nor it is now. Stylisher. Oh
certainly
Would it be desirable for it to be
higher go faster for a children wagon
Do you think it would be as safeo''
"Oh. certainly, miss. Yes. | reckon
you re right. That 5 So
~ was tltN cl you. W GS
oner, to think it out pursued, relax
ing from criticism into compliment. 1T
is really remarkable
He laughed Il good dcal-he had la
bitual, nervous laugh--in Il gratitcd way
at this, and presently, after much bow
ing and scraping, clattered away down
: h., INrn,1 oil, vi
well had both been spending the evening
with me, and were present now. Fred
took his hands ont of his pockets to say
Il saw a cart that worked on that same
principle in Baltimore the other day
"Oh. Fred, you didM't'
''Fact. Pity about that inventive friend
of yours.
Il am very sorry. I was thinking he
might get out patent for it, and make
money by it. He is SO poor. Oh, wish
you would give him your boots to mend.
That is his trade.
"Tll try him. Fred agreed.
Mr.. Barnwell was more encouraging
than Fred lie declared himself inter-
csted in my protegc. Il would like to
have talk with him in his workshop.
He tells me he has several other leetle
idees' he has been studyin' out that he
would like to show OFF.
Il know where he lives: I'll go with
YOU said, grasping at the notion.
Mr.. Barnwcll was one of those apple