The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1899-12-07

IL reckon know something about it."
II have come. Mr.. Smith," said the
stranger, ito show you q new motive
power for hay rakes."
The farmers face fell.
"a patent right" he muttered. II
don't want to buy one" lie said. aloud,
turning to re-enter the house.
"Buy onep' replied the stranger.
"This is not for sale, sir" declared
Bob, with quiet dignity. II desire
your opinion as a scientist In regard
to the principles involved In Its con-
struction and operations"
The farmers face grew pleased
again.
Happy to give it, sir. If I 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
rakeY'
"Yes."
"Pll help you bring 1t out here, and
We'll make a trial trip Of this wonder.
full machine"
A few minutes later the farmers hay
rake 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, II 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,
hiclesY
"Quite true" replied Jabez, some
what dubious and perplexed over the
apparent uselessness Of the machine.
Utility and nonrefragibility, Mr..
Smith," ratified on Bob, recklessly.
"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 a mathematician and scient.
list. All ready"
Farmer Smith, overcome by the lofty
words, obeyed mutely, as Bob requested
him to get into the rake seat.
''I'n drive the preliminary vehicle"
explained Bob, with 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 aroundY
They've gone to town." replied
Jabez, blumly.
He had a vague consciousness that
the stranger was q 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 young lady! Your
daughter, Mr.. Smith, presumeT 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 sci.
ence, Mr.. Smith,
He almost lost his dignifled gravity
as he saw the suspicious look on the old
farmers face.
The last words. Gin 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,
chung on wildly as the horse was driven
briskly. He almost fell forward as
there was a break caused by the rope
parting. Bob had deity cut it with
knife.
Hold on-hold on!" cried old Jabez,
as the new motor-power vehicle dashed
forward.
He stared blankly as 1t traversed the
field, made sharp turn to the road,
and, gracefully rounded a curve In
the highway, disappeared from view.
What did 1t 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 up
before the gate.
He looked grimly up from beneath
his shaggy eyebrows as Leslie Austin
and pretty, blushing Alice came for.
ward.
Bob, following them. was the first
to speak.
1.-The new motor power took up new
passenger down the road, Farmer
Smith," he said. SHY. "You wanted
to make mankind happy, neighbor-
you've done It"
Jabez made q feint to declare hos
tilities, then and there, against the con.
spirators, but he sank back disarmed
in his chair as the gentle voice Of his
wife said, pleadingly:
Forgive them. father-they are so
happyw
And Farmer Smith had not the heart
to say nay.