Union gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1899-1900, 1899-12-01
66 1 VISITOR, Jabez."
N Old Farmer Smith


The farmers lip set tight as he wit
messed a glance which passed between
his wife and his daughter.
81 understand" he said, severely.
with a determined look at the anxious
face of the girl. 'That London chap,
Leslie Austin"
Eyes, father" she replied.
s'Pu settle his business for him." and
Farmer Smith strode into the parlor.
his heavy boots sounding death-knell
to the faint hopes in the sinking heart
of pretty, winsome Alice Smith. $50
you're here again, ehr'
The brusque interrogatory did not
seem to crush the courteous, handsome
farmer.
Eyes, Mr.. Smith," was his reply.
"And on the same old errand. sup
poser
Eyes, sir; came to ask your con-
sent
'sYou can't have itr' interrupted
Farmer Smith, savagely. "Alice amt
going to marry you or anybody else,
just yet"
'sBut time
you've heard me, Mr.. Leslie Austin.
You can't have my daughter"
'T love her, Mr.. Smith,
'sNonsensel She's too young to know
her own mind. I have said my say,
and the harvest hands are waiting.
Good-day, STRIP
Under such determined resistance,
Leslie Austin retreated. He bit his
Hips angrily, as he walked rapidly down
the road to the village hotel.
"It's a shame" decided his friend
Bob Townsend, as he heard the dis
appointed lovers story.
1--WE think so much Of each other"
murmured Leslie, mournfully.
''You amt going to give up this way.
are your asked Bob.
Leslie looked up inquiringly.
what else can do?" he asked.
Marry her." said Bob.
"Her father won't consent" i
Suppose he don't"
Leslie started, but shook his head
slowly.
'T know what you're hitting at, Bob
an elopement."
You're right"
"But 1t could not be-" l
'Why notp
Because Alice is bound to obey her
father, and I am, too, for that matter"
Bob scowled impatiently.
'sNonsensep" he aspirated, angrily.
''See here, Leslie. If you were the ir-
responsible chap old Smith thinks you,
I'd hesitate; but you ain't-you're an
honest, well-to-do lawyer, respectfully
connected, and only laboring under a
prejudice on the farmers part, that
because neighbor Jones' girl married q
worthless man from the metropolis all
such matches must end similarly"
Granted"
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.
ST can't"
"Why notY
"Her father watches her too closely"
'@rhat's the only reason. is itY'
81 believe so.''
''she's willingY' r. -
Presumably" IL
"And your"
80. Bob, you're talking nonsensei I
might as well go back to London and
wait until Mr.. Smith changes his
mind"
"And let some other fellow have
Alice. You're brave loverr'
Leslie was Respondent
81 have a plan, IL you're pIucky
enough to follow it out" suggested
Bob.
Leslie's face grew expectant at the
hint.
What is its' he asked. FIJI
eListenr' -
What Bob told the discouraged lover
need not be repeated. The subsequent
acts Of the conspirators afford a suf-
acient explanation.
1t was the next day that faithful Bob
reconnoitered the ground, and found
that Farmer Smith had indeed taken
due precaution to prevent his daughter
meeting or running away with Leslie.
But Bob managed to get letter to
the fair prisoner-a letter after reading
oCClCby 6AC uldAl1cSlGQ u6T nc
Quiescence to its contents by an intel.
ngent nod to the messenger.
1t was the afternoon of the day fol
lowing, just as Farmer Smith had SEM
bis boys to the town with load of po
tatoes, and was seated, resting for al
hour or two. ON the front porch, will
Alice industriously sewing by his side
that vehicle driven by a single occu
pant came down the road.
Old Jabez looked in profound amaze
{ ment as the vehicle came to stop. i
was a kind of skeleton wagon, with
double seat, and behind 1t was attached
small rubber hose. with severa
wheels distributed here and there, neal
the axle.
"In the name Of wonder. what havs
we here" he said, as he walked to thu
gate.
The driver sprang down.
"Jabez SmithT he asked.
The farmer nodded a dignified as
sent, little dreaming that the bearded
stranger was Bob Townsend In dis
guise.
81 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 hi
salient point. Flattered by the strang
er's words. he replied pompously:
al reckon know something about it.
"I have come, Mr.. Smith," said th'
stranger, ito show you new motiv,
power for hay rakes."
The farmers face fell.
"a patent rightp' he muttered. ''
don't want to buy one," he said, aloud
Alrning to re-enter the house.
BUY oner' replied the stranger
'sThis Is not for sale, SIR" declared
Bob. with quiet dignity. 81 desir
your opinion as a scientist in regar,
fo the DrfnciDIes fnvolyed in its con