Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1899-12-16
A PATENT ELOPEMENT.
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| taloeS, and was seated, resting for an
hour or two, on the front porch, with
Alice industrjously sewing by his side,
that a vehicle driven by a single occu-
pant came down the road.
Old Jabez looked In profound amaze
ment as the vehicle came to stop. 1t
was kind of skeleton wagon, with
double seat, and behind it was attached
small rubber hose, with several
wheels distributed here and there. near
the axle.
in 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 dgnlfied as
sent, little dreaming that the bearded
stranger was Bob Townsend in dis
gulse.
II learn from inquiries in the village
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 strang-
er's words, he replied pompously:
Il reckon 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. 81
don't want to buy one" lie said aloud,
turning to re-enter the house.
Buy oner' replied the stranger.
This Is not for sale, SIR" declared
Bob, with quiet dignity. 81 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 1t, 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
Certainly, sir"
"You can-you can, believe me, sir"
asseverated the wicked conspirator.
earnestly and truthfully. Have you a
rakeW
Yes"
I'm 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 a 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 a resistance to the
ground, push forward the front vehicle,
and yentilate 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, 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 readyT
Farmer Smith, overcome by the lofty
words, obeyed mutely, as Bob requested
him to get into the rake seat.
III 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
Jabez, blumly.
He had a vague consciousness that
the stranger was a charIatan. for he
could not for the life of him see what
possible use the clumsy combination
OF wheels and hose could be.
An there's young ladyl Your
daughter. Mr.. Smith, presumeP" said
Bob raising his hat politely. There
must be more weight on the seat of the
front vehicle. If you'n let her take her
seat beside me, in the interests Of sci
ence, Mr.. Smith,"
He almost lost his dignlned 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 Jabe1 In the rake-seat behind