The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1901-11-22

Salu LeSlle.
"That's the only reason, is i,?'
~ believe So"
"She's willine?"
"Presumably."
"And vou?'
"Oh, Bob, you're talking nonsense
l 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 lover"
Leslie was respondent.
Il have a plan, if you're plucky
enough to follow it out" suggested
Bob.
Leslie's face grew expectant at the
hint.
What is it, he asked.
Listen"
What Bob told the discouraged lover
need not be repeated. The subsequent
acts of the conspirators afford a sufii
cient explanation.
1t was the next day that faithful
Bob reconnoitcred the grounds and
found that Farmer Smith had indeed
taken due precauton to prevent his
daus liter meeting or running away
with Leslie.
But Bob managed to get letter to
the fair prisoner-a letter after read
ing which secretly she manifested her
acquiescence TO its contents by an in
telligent nod TO the messenger.
1t was the afternoon OF the day fol-
lowing, just as Farmer Smith had sent
his boys to the town with load OF
potatoes and was seated, resting for an
hour or two, on the front porch, with
Alice indus,riously sewing by his side,
tina. vehicle driven by single occu-
pant came down the road.
Old Jabez looked in profound amaze,
mcnt as the vehicle came to a stop.
1t was a kind of skeleton wagon, with
a double seat, and behind it was at
tached a small rubber hose, with sew
eral 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 10y the stran-
gers words, he replied pompously:
Il reckon | know something about
it,"
II have come, Mr.. Smith, said the
stranger, "to show you a new motive
power for hayrakes."
The farmers face fell
"A patent righ,!" 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. 81 desire
your opinion as scientist in regard
to the principles involved in its con-
structlon and operation"
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
tlme-eh Mr.. Smith," insinuated Bob.
"Certainly, sir"
"Iuu can-you can, believe me, sir,
assevtrated the wicked cunspirator,
earnestly and truthiully. "Ilave you
a rak.?'
Yes"
"I'il help you bring it out here, and
we'll make q trial trip of this wonder
full machine
\ few MINUTES later the farmer S
hay-rake was brought out. Bob made
much ado Of fastening it hy a 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 ailbrake, sir. The
idea is, if we can make it do so, to have
the rake operate as usual. The air.
brake might offer resistance to the
ground, push forward the front vehicle
and vent!late the hay. Man and brute
creation demand air, why not vehicles?''
"Quitc true,' replied Jabez, some
what dubious and perplexed over the
apparent uselessness of the machine
utility and nonrcfragibility, Mr..
Smith," ratified on Bob r,cklcssly
"The hypoteuuse Of the curve of the
diameter of the axle, you perceive, has
circumfcrcntial effect upon the
spheroid concavity of the brake. You
will understand these terms, Mr..
Smith, as a mathematician and scicn-
tist All ready?'
Farmer Smith, overcome by the