Iron County register., 1899-11-16

ger was Bob Townsend In disguise.
Il learn from inquiries in the village
that you are quite scientist, MIR.
Smith,"
Science. of which old Jabez knew
nothing, but affected much, was his
salient point. Flattered by the stran-
gers words, he replied, pompously:
II reckon l know something about it,
81 have come. Mr.. Smith," said the
stranger, Ito show you a new motive
power for hay rakes."
The farmers face fell.
"A patent right" he muttered. 81
don't want to buy one" he said, aloud,
turning to reenter the house.
BUY one!" replied the stranger.
This is not for sale, SIR" declared Bob,
with quiet dignity. Il desire your opin-
ion as scientist in regard to the prin-
ciples involved in its construction and
operations"
The farmers face grew pleased again.
Happy to give it, sir. If can be of
any use to the world at large by my
knowledge of science"
''Or make your fellow beings happy,
you're ready to sacrifice your valuable
time-eh, Mr.. Smith," insinuated Bob.
Certainly, sir"
You can-you can, believe me, SIR"
asseverated the wicked conspirator,
earnestly and truthfully. Have you
rake?"
"Yes"
I'll help you bring it out here, and
we'll make a trial trip of this won
derful machine"
A few minutes later the farmers
hayrake was brought out. Bob made
much ado of fastening it by rope to
the rear of the vehicle, and the farmer
watched him curiously, as he turned
the wheels and adjusted the hose to
what he called position.
This hose is an air brake, sir. The
idea is, if we can make it do so, to have
the rake operate as usual. The air
brake might offer resistance to the
ground, push forward the front vehicle,
and ventilate the hay. Man and brute
creation demand air why not We
hicles?"
quite true" replied Jabez, some
what dubious and perplexed over the
apparent uselessness of the machine.
Utility and nonrefragibility, Mr..
Smith," ratified on Bob, recklessE.
THE hypothenuse of the curve of the
diameter of the axle, you perceive, has
circumferential effect upon the
spheroid concavity of the brake. You
will understand these terms, Mr.. Smith,
as mathematician and scientist. All
ready?"
Farmer Smith, overcome by the lofty
words, obeyed mutely, as Bob request
ed him to get into the rake seat.
'Fll drive the preliminary vehicle"
explained Bob, with a serene chuckle
at the fun of his oratory, land you
will watch the effect of the air brake
if the friction of the wheels generates
air-over yonder stretch of meadow.
By the way, is one of your hands
around?"
They've gone to town." replied ia
bez, glumly.
He had a vague consciousness that
the stranger was a charlatan, for he
could not for the life of him see what
possible use the clumsy combination
of wheels and hose could be.
''Ah, there's a young ladyi Your |
daughter, Mr.. Smith, L presume?" said |
Bob, raising his hat politely. There |
must be more weight on the seat OF |
the front vehicle. If you'll let her take
her seat beside me, in the interests OF |
science, Mr.. Smith,
He almost lost his dignified gravity |
as he saw the suspicious look on the |
old farmers face.
The last words, ''in the interests OF |
science" however, decided Mr.. Smith. |
Jump in, Alice" he said, desper- |
ately.
The stranger whipped up the horse.
Old Jabez, in the rake-seat behind, |
clung on wildly as the horse was drisen |
briskly. He almost fell forward as |
there was brake caused by the rope
parting. Bob had deftly cut it with d
knife
Hold on-hold on" cried old Jabez,
as the new motor-power vehicle dashed |
forward.
He stared blankly as it traversed the
field, made a sharp turn to the road, |
and, gracefully rounding a curve in
the highway, disappeared from view.
What did it mean? The boys had |
taken the horses to town, and he could
not start in pursuit; but he grew white
as he discerned fact:
He had been tricked!
He had cooled down considerably
when. at nightfall, carriage drew I'D
before the gate.
He looked grimly up from ben.sth
MS shaggy eyebrows as Leslie Austin
md pretty, blushing Alice came sor.
ward.
Bob, following them, was the .irsi
10 speak.
''The new motor power took up =
new passenger down the road, Farmer
smith," he said, siyly. you wanted
10 make mankind happier. neighbor-
you've done it"
Jabez made feint to declare hos
ilities, then and there. against the con-
,pirators, but he sank back disarmed
n his chair as the gentle voice of his
wife said, pleadingly:
Forgive them, father-they are so
lappyl"
And Farmer Smith had not the heart
o say nay.-Chicago Times-Herald.
Grape Shot.
In accord with the eternal fitness of |