Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-03-11

he wants, sir, is to find out what yor
are making. sir. heard 'em talking il
over at the tea table. And they say
you are an inventor and an infdel
please. He always says everything bad
about everybody; so You mustn't mind
And as he hasn't been able to see wha,
yon were doing, he's going to call and
find out He says he will know, please
sir"
You're good girl, Maggie" said
the inventor, mildly. "And if that is
all, hope Mr.. Poke will call"
Then Maggie ran home, and the in
ventor went his way with curious look
upon his face. Maggie, who was sharp.
noticed it.
IL shouldn't wonder it Mr.. Poke
didn't never come out alive if he once
gets in next door," she said And this
idea was so enlivening that her delight
was great when. one day, she saw Mr..
Poke. dressed in his best. clatter down
his own steps and up those of his neigh
Dor The bell rang; the door opened ;
Mr.. Poke vanished from sight.
"Oh! | hopes that you may never sec
him again, Miss Melinda, said Maggie,
unable to repress her feelings.
what start you gave me, Maggie "
said Miss Melinda land what do you
mean y
But Maggie made no answer.
Meanwhile Mr.. Poke was shaking
hands with his neighbor.
81 haven't the pleasure of knowing
your name, sir, said he, "but thought
it my duty to call Hope don't in-
trude. am Mr.. Poke"
"No no-glad to see you" said the
old gentleman, walk in, pray Smith,
my ha,ne Is.
Thank you, Mr.. Smith, | will, ;" said
Priom, delighted with his success. "And
hear you are an inventor, sir"
"Yes, SIR" replied the old gentleman.
"Any work in hand now 2" asked
Priam ANY new invention, sir 2
Eyes, tride," replied Mr.. Smith.
would you like to look at it y
Better and BETTER" thought Priam.
Aloud he answered II should feel much
pleasure in doing So"
Come with me if you please, " respond
ed the old gentleman.
He led the way cellar-ward, Priam
following. The cellar was not well light
ed, but there was large object in one
corner. and something seemed to bubble
and boil, and fire burned dimly
Priam put on his glasses.
May ask you what il is p he said.
ayes, Sir" replied the inventor. ut
is patent cremator."
"A patent creator?' asked Priam,
with vague remembrance Of the athe-
istical tendencies of his neighbor.
Cremator," corrected Mr.. Smith
"You know Of course that many persons
nowadays desire to have the bodies Of
their friends reduced 10 ashes, instead Of
burying them. They can then collect
their ashes in jar and preserve them in
that form, and grave-yards become I'M
necessary
dear me . curious p replied Priam.
II have heard of it, but can't say like
tho notion"
''Some persons do, though" replied
the inventor. There is sale for the
crematsp, and miBo is fine ono. It
just completed have only to procure
a body to test its merits. Naturally,
am impatient-very impatient"
At this point he paused, left Mr..
Poke's side, locked the cellar door and
put the key in his pocket
"Bless me, what did you do that for p
circulated Mr. Poke. "Really. I've
made long CALL think must 60"
81 have a proposition 70 make to you,
sir" said Mr.. Smith. "and | want you
TO have tune to think il over calmly.
could cremate living person as easily
as dead one. II you'll step in | needn't
wait for body, and I'll send you to your
sister in a neat little pottery jar, with
my advertisement on Fhe Id"
"IIc's crazy" said NJ. Poke to him
self land | shall lose my life' Aloud
he uttered the words: unlock that door
this instant, sir"
"You really object, then?" inquired
Mr.. Smith.
"YoS. sir Open that door, sir" re-
piled Mr.. Poke.
In five minutes afterwards, Maggie, 10
her great disappointment, saw Mr.. Poke
fly out Of his neighbor's like an arrow
from bow, aud 9hortly afser heard him
narratc bis awful adventure 10 Miss Me-
linda.
10 course Of time he related il TO every
one Of bis acquaintance, aud il was only
when, six months after, Mr.. Smith. the
inventor, gave his Patent Combination
Washing Machine, Clothes Dryer aud
Maagle," 10 The world, that Mr.. Poke
suspected that his neighbor had played
a trick upon him,
Fhmnesss Of purpose is one Of the
most necessary sinews Of character, aud