Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1900-01-05

that vehicle driven by q 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 a
double seat, and behind it 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 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 his
salient point. Flattered by the strang-
er's words, he replied pompously:
81 reckon know something about it."
81 have come, MI. Smith," said the
stranger, "to show you new motive
power for hay rakes."
The farmers face fell.
"a patent rightw he muttered. "I
don't want to buy one," he said, aloud,
turning to re-enter the house.
Buy onew 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 it, 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. "Have you q
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 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, 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
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
a circumferential effect upon the
spheroid concavity of the brake. You
will understand these terms, Mr..
Smith, as a mathematician and scient-
ist All ready?"
Farmer Smith, overcome by the lofty
words, obeyed mutely, as Bob requested
him to get into the rake seat.
| NI'll drive tha rralip,inory uablo1a
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 aroundT'
They've gone to town." replied
Jabez, blumly.
He had 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's young ladyl Your
daughter, Mr.. Smith, 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 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