The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1899-11-30
A PATENT ELOPEMENT.


Hour OF TWO, on tne 'front.' porch, with
Alice industriously sewing by his side.
that vehicle driven by single occu-
pant came down the road.
Old Jabez looked in profound amaze
ment as the vehicle came to n stop. 1t
was kind of skeleton wagon, with
double seat, and behind 1t was attached
a 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 dgnifled as
sent, little dreaming that the bearded
stranger was Bob Townsend in dis
guise.
II learn from inquiries in the village
that you are quite n 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
81 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" 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. 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 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
time-eh, Mr.. smith, insinuated Bob.
Certainly, sir"
"You can-you can. believe me, sir"
asseverated the wicked conspirator,
earnestly and truthfully. "Uave you n
rake"
Yes"
"Ill 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
pu ha
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 ventilate the hay. Man and brute
hicles?"
quite true" replied Jabcz, some
what dubious and perpleXed over the
apparent uselessness of the machine
Utility and nonrefragibilty, 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'll 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 around?"
They've gone to town." replied
Jabez, blumly.
He had a vague consciousness that
the stranger was 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 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.