Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-06-28

stranger was Bob Townsend in dis
guise.
Il 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.
II reck0nI know something about it."
Il have come. Mr.. Smith," said the
stranger, ito show you new motive
power for hayrakes."
The farmers face fell.
"a patent rightv he muttered. II
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 construction
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. SmithT' insinuated Bob.
Certainly, SIR"
You can-you can, believe me sir"
asseverated 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 wonder
full machine"
A few minutes later the farmers
hayrake was brought out. Bob made
much ado of fastening 1t 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, 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 We
hicle, and ventilate the hay. Man and
brute creation demand air-why not
vehlcles!"
quite true" replied Jabez, some
what dubious and perpleXed over the
apparent uselcssness 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 spher
old concavity of the brake. You will
understand these terms, Mr.. Smith, as
n mathematician and scientist. All
ready?'
Farmer Smith, overcome by the lofty
words, obeyed mutely, as Bob request
ed him to get into the rake seat.
"Tll 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, glumly.
He had Il vague consciousness that
the stranger was a 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 is young lady. Your
daughter, Mr.. Smith. l presume!" 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
science, Mr.. smith,
He almost lost his dignified gravity
as he saw the suspicious look on the
old farmers face.
The last words, sin the interests of
science" however. decided Mr.. Smith.
Jump in. Alice" he said, desperate
ly.
The stranger whipped up the horse.
Old Jabez, in the rake seat behind.
clung on wildly as the horse was
driven briskly. He almost fell for
ward rs there was break caused by
the rope parting. Bob had deftly cut
it with knife.
Hold on-hold on.' cried old ia
bez. as the new mOtor-power vehicle
dashed forward.
He stared blankly as it traversed
the field, made sharp turn to the
road and, gracefully rounding
curve in the highway, disappeared
from view.
What did it 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, q 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.
"The new motor power took up
new passenger down the road. Farm