Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-05-24
The IMPROVED LAWN MOWER.

THE IMPROVED LAWN MOWER.
Kindly allow me space in your valua
ele Journal tn set at rest doubt existing
In tue minds Of the profession ss 10 the
real inventor Of the above idea--a doub,
80 strong that to solve Ii many belong
ing to the ranks Of gardening claim the
discovery ~ their own.
Way back In the seventies there lived
with Charles Mitchell, Of NeS Haven, iu
the capacity Of oyerseer or steward
John Miller. In the course OF business
Miller purchased horse from Banker
Scranton; the animal had sustained y
slight injury TO one Of his feet that made
him unit for carriage use, but very
servicvsole In farm work. Scranton
lsmrness made ls~ n-mo ~ing difficult on
account of the tufts VI grass left up
standing.
One morning Miller stood looking hard
st the double labor required and loss Of
time. Hold hard. Jake" he cried 70
the Irishmsn who WAS driving, 'she's
cutting deep the dsv." "Yis, sor. but
can't help it" Ma, M. lad, I'm no
hlsmin' We. Stop biz and go down 10
the wood and bring me stowt cedar
pole about eight feet long or maybe
more" "wut are you goin' 10 do, sor.''
"None of you're, sir; sff vi ye." Away
went Jake. soon returning with the pole,
and full measure Of curiosity as To its
use. Her, moo, lad. hold her tight and
I'll tix her" cried Miller, who waited
with some stout ropes in his hand.
he laid the pole across the front OF the
machine, fastening up the shafts and Sc
curing Il with the rope. Then he har-
messed Scranton TO the projecting end by
another rough coutrivsnce, taking the
lines into his own hands, he said: III
she goes sll right for ten feet I'm salts
fed" OF they started and his discov-
cry worked admirably for about ten
fee, before the ropes began TO loosen.
Miller was radiant. Take out Scrsn-
ton, Jake, an away We go for the black
smith, bring him with ye."
The smith, who WAS an Intelligent
man, WAS soon on the spot inquiring
what WAS needed. Miller took him TO
the mower aud explaining his idea de-
sired him 10 make strong rod or bar to
project out, maybe five or six feet be-
vond the machine, to which the shafts
could be secured, and the horse driven
from the side. In very few days the
rough draft was perfected into CON-
plete and useful appliance. and Miller in
tended 10 take out his patent, and Ike
Howe. reap dollar from every machine
that adopted the improvement. Alas :
for his hopes, Mr.. Mitchers son happen
ed out and deserted the pole still fssten-
ed 10 the old mower, before the black
smith had returned TO place the rod Of
iron; exclsiming At the contrivsnce, he
sought Miller out and got him 10 explain
its necessity. "But keep quiet Mr..
Charlie; I'm going 10 patent IL, he
begged. "Mr. Charlie" drove straight
into the town i've miles distant and gave
the secret away. when John Miller
drove in later 20 see about his patent
there was his idea at work In the public
park.
To one Of our firelisht chats last win
ter, nv old friend told me the story with
many a laugh at his own folly. | re-tell
IL because | recently heard OF vet sn-
other gardener who laid claim 10 be the
gardener whose invention II was. John
Miller IL now the trusty servant OF the
Constable family st Orienta Point, Man,
sroneck, y. Y. A keenly Intelligent
man In his profession during bis year.
of more active service, business man OF
uncommon shrewd ability, beloved and
respected by all who came into contact
with him. aud feared only by those who
are less straightforward than he Is him
self. Coming from Dulkelth Castle,
Scotland, when still y Young man, his
experience has been highly varied, and
Is OF sound use and Importance TO farmer
and florist alike. including as IL does
systems widely differing in producing
the same effect on both sides OF the At
lsntic-Cor. in American Gardening.