The representative., 1899-11-23
A PATENT ELOPEMENT


winsome Alice Smith. $50 you're here
again. eh?'
The brusque interrogatory did not seem
to crush the courteous, handsome young
man, who rose and faced the farmer
Yes, Mr. Smith," was his reply.
And on the same old errand. l sup
pose?"
YES sir; came to ask your CONSENT
"You can't have it," interrupted Farmer
Smith, savagely. Alice amt going to
marry you or anybody else, just yet
But time
you've heard me. Mr.. Leslie Austin
You can't have my daughter
Il love her. Mr.. Smith,
Nonsense! She's too young to know her
own mind. I have said my say, and the
harvest hands are waiting. Good day. sir!"
Under such determined resistance. Leslie
Austin retreated. He bit his lips angrily.
as he walked rapidly down the road to the
village hotel.
Its a shame" decided his friend Bob
Townsend, as he heard the disappointed
lovers story.
1--WE think so much of each other" MUIR
INJURED Leslie, mournfully.
You amt going to give up this way. are
your" asked Bob.
Leslie looked up inquringly.
What else can I do?" he asked
Marry her." said Bob.
Her father won't consent"
Suppose he DON'T
Leslie started, but shook his head
slowly.
81 know what you're hitting at, Bob-an
elopement."
You're right
But it could not be-
why not?"
Because Alice is bound to obey her
father, and l am, too, for that matter"
Bob scowled impatiently.
''Nonsense!" he aspirated angrily. ''See
here, Leslie. If you were the irresponsible
chap old Smith thinks you, I'd hesitate;
but you ain't-youre honest, well do
lawyer, respectfully connected, and only
laboring under a prejudice on the farmers
part. that because neighbor Jones girl
married a worthless man from the me-
tropolis all such matches must end SINH
larly."
Granted"
Therefore, being in the right, and the
old farmer being in one of his mad moods,
I'd outwit him."
"How?"
The query was encouraging.
run away with Alice said Bob.
Il can't"
"Why not?''
Her father watches her too closely"
That's the only reason. is it?''
81 believe so.''
"shes willing?'
presumably"
And you?'
80, Bob, you're talking nonsense!
might as well go back to London and wait
until Mr.. Smith changes his mind"
'And let some other fellow have A1ieot
You're brave lover!" ..
Leslie was despondent.
Il have a plan, if you're plucky enough
to follow it out" suggested Bob.
Leslie's face grew expectant at the hint.
What is it?' he asked.
"Listen!"
What Bob told the discouraged lover need
not be repeated. The subsequent acts of
the conspirators afford a sufficient explana-
ton.
1t was the next day that faithful Bob
reconnoitered the ground and found that
Farmer Smith had indeed taken due pre-
caution to prevent his daughter meeting
or running away with Leslie
But Bob managed to let a letter to the
fair prisoner-a letter after reading which
secretly she manifested her acquiescence to
its contents by an intelligent nod to the
messenger.
1t was the afternoon Of the day follow
ing. just as Farmer Smith had sent his
boys to the town with load of potatoes,
and was seated, resting for an hour or two,
on the front porch, with Alice industriously
sewing by his side, that vehicle driven by
a single occupant came down the road.
Old Jabez looked in profound amazement
as the vehicle came to a STOP 1t was a
kind of skeleton wagon, with a double seat,
and behind it was attached a small rubber
hose, with several wheels distributed here
and there, near the axle.
I'm the name of wonder, what have we
here?" he said, as he walked to the gate
The driver sprang down.
"Jabez Smith," he asked.
The farmer nodded a dignifed assent.
little dreaming that the bearded stranger
was Bob Townsend in disguise.
Il learn from inquiries in the vilage>that
you are quite a scientist, Mr.. Smith,"
Science, of which old Jabez knew nothing.
but affected much. was his salient point.
Flattered by the strangers words, he re-
piled pompously:
Il reckon l know something about it,
Il 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. sI don't
want to buy one" he said, aloud, turning to
re-enter the house.
Buy one!'' replied the stranger This is
not for sale, SIR. declared Bob, with quiet
dignity. l desire your opinion as a scien-
tist in regard to the principles involved in
its construction and operations"
The farmers face grew pleased again.
Happy to give it. sir. If l 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" as
severated the wicked conspirator, earnestly
and truthfully Have you a rake?"
Yes
"I'll help you bring it out here, and we'll
make a trial trip of this wonderful ma
chane" |
few minutes later the farmers hayrake |
was brought out Roh made much odo ~ !