St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1894-05-24

SCARRITT'S WEDDING GIFT.


philosophico-invenrive mind. 1 said
to him one day;
'Scarritt, you will invent some
thing yet that will make enemies Of
all the friends you have"
Not if they know how to use it."
he replied. My inventions are all
as simple as A B c. Any child can
use them, once they understand
what they are for
always liked Scar-itt. We went
through college together, and he still
kept the disposition which had there
gained him the reputation of a jolly
good fellow.
But Scarritt had a weakness he
would invent things His inventions
were peculiar. That they were
original, nobody denied; that they
were useful, nobody admitted.
He had invented machine for
picking poultry, but the machine
cost more than hired help, and it
was slow, though it did its work
well enough.
Another invention Of his was
combination salt and pepper shaker
1t worked to perfection if you didn t
care which condiment you sprinkled
upon your food; but if you desired
pepper, it was sure to render salt,
and vice versa.
He had contrived a ombination
sleigh and carriage, which would
have been a bonanza except that it
cost small fortune to have it manu-
featured at all. So that while aim
ing at economy, Scarrltt had
achieved only luxury.
Yet Scarritt was not discouraged.
He went happily forward, inventing
something new and ingenious every
little while 1t was the general
opinion of his friends that in time he
would invent something really great,
and very possibly without malice
aforethought.
But this story is about a wedding
gift.
After a sufficiently ardent court
ship of Nanette Cartwright, had Of
fered myself and been accepted; first,
by the young lady herself, then by
her more formidable papa, and
through these two by the entire
Cartwright family. 1t was then de-
would be married in June the fol-
lowing summer.
l began at once the construction Of
a cottage in the suburbs. 1t was to
be ready for us when we returned
from the honeymoon. This modest
home was not too far away from
my business, and at the same time it
held all the charms of the country
l was careful to provide it with all
modern conveniences, however, and
that was primarily the cause of
Scarritt's wedding gift.
I was dining at the club one day.
when Scarritt, looking especially
radiant, joined me at the table.
You look happy, Scarritt," re-
marked; not going to be married,
too, are vou?"
"Oh, no, Beason: but I've just got
and burglar alarm, and l feel as
good or even better than a bachelor
about to become benedict"
''Ah, that is good luck-although
l cant say would trade places with
you"
well, every man to his taste. But
my lock is better than wedlock-for
me. l have all arrangements made
for its manufacture, too, and inside
Of thirty days l will have it on the
market ,"
What are it's especial features ?"
Simplicity of construction is one.
You push a button, and it locks all
your doors and windows. Then if
any one tries to effect an entrance, it
sounds an alarm and registers the
point of attack, so you know just
where to look for the marauder-
who is generally gone when you look
for him. Anyway, he can't get in,
and it's an elegant thing, especially
for suburban houses, where the con-
stabulary is either inadequate or en-
tlrely wanting"
There is certainly large field for
such an invention" l said, encourag-
ingly. Il may want to put ore in
to nay new house in the suburbs.
What do they cost2r
Don't know exactly, but I'll make
you rock-bottom figures on one"
renlied Scaa.11T,iir
Of course. / never really intended
TO buy one Of the things, and from
that time until my wedding day l
banished the subject completely from
my mind.
1t was at the wedding reception
that Scarritt came to US with his
hearty congratulations and good
wishes, and went on to remark:
Il have little present for you, but
7 couldn't exactly deliver it here so |
have sent it to your new home, and
it will be ready to receive you when
you return from the wedding trip"
ooh, Mr.. Scarritt, I'm sure it's
something lovely" exclaimed the
bride, with enthusiasm.
Il don't know that you will re-
tain that opinion after you see the
article" Scarritt replied. ut is