The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-04-16
a DANGEROUS
EXPERIMENT.

There were three persons seated about
the table. One was bearded old man
in an easy chair, pipe between his
teeth and an expression of great satisfac
ton on his rugged face. The second was
n girl of pc. haps two and twenty, a dark
haired girl, with dark eyes and dim
pied chin. The last of the trio was a
young man.
We'll" said the old man, NOW that
we have conquered and have earned a
little rest suppose we tell the story OF
the fight"
We'll" said the girl. withdrawing a
little more into the shadow, Its quick
ly spun. That late very clever designer
and pattern maker. David Barnes, now
retired because of bad eyes and rheu-
matte twinges, which unpleasant visi-
tations he bears with exemplary pa
tience-and she nodded brightly at the
old man-"one day found clever idea in
his obstinate noddle He held fast to it.
He nursed it and coddled it, and pres
emily, having no one else to confide in.
he described it to his rattle Drained
daughter. 1t was. as the audience is
well aware, a labor saving device that
woald reduce the cost of producing GER
tain grades of paper fully IS per cent.
The rattle Drained daughter listened to
her fathers description of this formless
wonder until finally she grasped the idea.
Then under his guidance she set to work
to help chase down the one missing link
that seemed to loom between the labor
saver and the sun of success. They
toiled together, the wise father and the
rattle Drained child, until one night the
fond parent suddenly leaned back and
said: we need an expert craftsman
We can't get along without him. And l
know the very man. The next night
Mr.. Gorham Meade appeared upon the
scene, and that was the beginning of the
end.'
Very badly told" said the old man.
Lets see if l can't do better"
"Oh, father" came voice from the
shadow. do please stick to your text!'
"Silence! cried the cid man. ITO re-
sumo. Presently the old man found it
was too much of strain for the maiden,
who shall be nameless. He said to him
self, Selfish man, would you sacrifice
your child on the pyre of your vaulting
! ambition| '
did you really say that, father?' the
girl interrupted. ct is quite melodra.
matte"
where did leave off? Oh, yes. Luck
lily this selfish old man knew of certain
expert craftsman in big mill, and he
went to see him. This craftsman was a
steady young fellow, as sound as dollar
and as trustworthy as they are made. The
selfish old man had his eye on this young
fellow for some time. He was acquaint-
ed with his father years ago when the
young fellow was mere toddler.''
II think" said the young man in the
, shadow, that it is high time for me to in
terrupt."
$50 the old man went to the youngster
and made him proposition. He was to
join hands with the veteran and his child
and use his best endeavors to bring the
machine to ripe perfection. He came, he
( listened, he saw the fruits of the prelimi-
nary labor. he approved. Then he set to
work. And when the old man saw the fire
in the youngsters eyes and the firm way
he set his jaws, he could have Rugged
himself. If ever inventor was written
large on mans face it was written on
that youngsters.
''The final link that was to join the in
complete to the perfected-the link that
worried us so many weary nights-was
discovered. i have it. cried the girl and
the youngster almost in the same BREATH y
"The youngster spoke irst@ said the
girl.
1T was the GIRL" said the young man.
Peace, Children" cried the old man.
tits your turn, Gorham."
The young man leaned forward little.
II need not say that was tlattered,'
he began, when Mr.. David Barnes came
, to me one September afternoon and said
that he wanted my help in perfecting his
latest device. 1t was harder task than
, possibly could have imagined, but am
sure l never despaired. With such Il
teacher and such a coworker to animate
me there was no such word as fail in my
, limited vocabulary. But you have given
me quite too much credit for the result.
The idea was yours, sir; the patient, ini-
/ tial steps We're Miss Agnes. ! came in
only when success was in sight"
you'll get no more credit than is your
honest DUE laughed the old man. II
fancy I'm the best judge of all that.
I've got a daughters interest to protect.
my amiable young friend. You may have
to hire a lawyer yet, sir, before you are
through with the Barnes family"
Perhaps" said the youth, you will let
| me bring my share of the retrospective
symposium to a finish by a detailed ac-
count of my visit to Mr.. John Russell to-
day. 1 had to wait some time for a
chance to see him. Well he said in his
gruff way, what is it? Talk fast So l
unrolled my drawings and went at him.
He watched me like hawk. Hold on.
he presently said; SAY that over again.
Take your time When finally finished
and was rolling up my papers, he turned
away from me and made some figures
rapidly on pencil pad. IN give you
people $4,000 the day we finish the first
perfect machine and 81 900 royalty on ev-
cry machine we make after the first he
said. Papers will be ready to sign here
in this office at 10 o'clock tomorrow
morning. Let everybody be prompt"
| Don't worry my father" laughed the
girl as she arose and turned toward the
door. This will not be search for any
culinary missing link"
There was a little silence after the door
closed. Then the young man leaned for
ward and rested his arms on the table.
Mr.. Barnes" he slowly said.
The old man looked around.
| "What is it, my boy?'
| -s.Nr Rornac hovo comathinr x,ary