The Portland daily press., 1900-03-02

ing puI hUecISN nuSns was his sh1itn,
point. Fiettered By the strangers words
he replied pompouslyi
81 reckon l know something about IL
81 have come, Mr.. Smith," said the
stranger, ''to show you a new motive
power for hayrakcs."
The farmers face fell.
"a pntept rightr he muttered. II
don't want TO buy one" he said, aloud,
turning to re-enter the house.
Buy onei" replied the stranger. This
IA not for sale, sir," declared Bob, with
miet dignity. 81 desire your opinion as
a scientist In regard to the principles In
volyed In its construction and opera
ton"
The farmers face grew pleased again.
Happy TO give 1t, sir. IL l 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
rake?'
"Yes."
an help you bring II out here, and
well make a trial trip OF this wonderful
machine"
A few minutes later the farmers hay
rake was brought out. Bob made much
ado of fastening II by rope to the rear
of the vehicle, and the farmer watched
him curiously as he turned the wheels
and adjusted the horse to what he called
position.
This hose Is an airbrake. sir. The
idea In. IL we can make II do so, to have
the rake operate as usual. The airbrake
might offer resistance to the ground,
push forward the front vehicle and ven
tilate the hay. Man and brute creation
demand air, why not vehiclesT
quite true" replied Jabez. somewhat
dubious and perplexcd over the apparent
uselessness OF the machine.
Utility and nonrefragibilty, Mr..
Smith" ratified on Bob recklessly. THE
hypotenuse OF the curve of the diane
ter of the axle, you perceive, has cir
cumferential effect upon the spheroid
concayity of the brake. You viii under
stand these terms. Mr.. Smith. as math-
ematician and scientist. All readyr
Farmer Smith, overcome by the lofty
words, obeyed mutely as Bob requested
him to get into the rake seat.
"I'l drive the preliminary vehicle, ex
planned Bob, with a serene chuckle Mt
the fun of his oratory, "and you Will
watch the effect Of the airbrake-if the
friction of the wheels generate air-over
yonder stretch of meadow. BY the way,
Is one OF your hands aroundT
They've gone to town." replied Jaoes
glumly.
He had n vague consciousness that the
fAr hA
not for the life of him see what possible
use the clumsy combination of wheels
and hose could be.
"Ah. there's n young lady! Your daugh-
ter, Mr.. Smith, i presumed" said Bob,
raising his hat politely. There must be
more weight on the seat OF the front We
hicle. II you'll let her take her seat be-
side me in the interests Of science, Mr..
Smith,"
He almost lost his dignifed gravity as
he saw the suspicious look on the old
farmers face.
The last words, ''in the interests Of SCI
ence," however, decided Mr.. Smith.
Jump in, Alicer he said desperately.
The stranger whipped up the horse.
Old Jabez, In the rake seat behind. chung
on wildly as the horse was driven briskly.
He almost fell forward as there was
break caused by the rope parting. Bob
had deity cut it with a knife.
Hold on! Hold on!' cried old Jabez
as the new motor power vehicle dashed
forward.
He stared blankly as It traversed the
field, made a sharp turn to the road and,
gracefully rounding a curve in the high
way, disappeared from view.
What did it mean? The boys had TAX
en- 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. a carriage drew up before
the gate.
He looked grimlv up from beneath his
shaggy eyebrows as Leslie Austin and
pretty, blushing Alice came forward.
Bob, following them, was the first to
speak.
1.-THE new motor power took up new
passenger down the road, Farmer
Smith," he said slyly. "You wanted to
make mankind happy, neighbor. You've
done it,"
Jabez made feint to declare hostili-
ties then and there against the eonspira-
tors, but he sank back, disarmed, in his
chair as the gentle voice Of his wife said
pleadingly:
Forgive them, father. They are so
happy"
And Farmer Smith had not the heart