Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-05-20
AN INVENTOR.
BY L. LUMLEy.


in some way 1.-THE exact way is rather
matter of temperamenp when ne
calls you my dear fellow" and insists
that you really must drop In and see
him.
| did The inventor lived in curl.
Gus little surprise in architecture In
northwest suburban road which had no
end. For several minutes searched
the inventors door and doorpost for
knocker or bell, but nothing could
discover beyond brass letter box
opening, which was evidently In the
process of adjustment; indeed, at that
moment footsteps sounded from within,
followed by the use of tools upon the
door.
| tapped with my umbrella; the door
opened and the inventor, beaming
through his spectacles, grasped my
hand.
Capital, capitall" he exclaimed, plac-
ing serewdriver in the outside pocket
of his velvet jacket and pair OF pliers
through buttonhole.
You're just in time" he went on.
Now. you see that letter box-nothing
unusual about it, as letter box, you
would say?"
looked at the object in question. 1t
appeared to me exactly like thousands
of other cheap brass affairs one sees
upon the suburban door. | conveyed
this impression, suitably modified, to
the inventor, who chuckled low with
delight.
well, now" proceeded the inventor,
hugging himself with enjoyment, with
my letter box-by the way, | have
named it the postvenitagraph; rather
comprehensive, eh?''
Extremely neat" said.
$50 it is; so It is" he agreed, still
beaming; ''post--post; venit-has
come; graph-write; the thing ex-
plains itself. But you would like to
see it in action?"
81 should consider 1t great honor,
assured him. He appeared to feel
assured.
81 don't mind telling you," he init
mated kindly, that l believe it viii
be taken up by all the principal firms
| in the world"
| appeared suitably astonished, and
| the inventor proceeded to close the door,
! thereby revealing several wires that
rose through tube by the wafnscot
and engaged an iron lever upon which
was fastened, by means of wire, what
looked like the receptacle from pair
of scales. Above this was black box
Now" exclaimed the inventor, who
had been running his finger along the
mechanism tenderly, perhaps you
would just act as postman for half a
minute?"
tried to look as much like post
man as could at so brief a notice.
Let me See You will want letter."
explained my host.
| handed him in turn letters of sew
eral sizes. old but serviceable; still the
! inventor did not seem satisfied. Sud-
| denly, however, his face frightened, and
taking the pliers from his buttonhole,
he placed them in the longest envelope
and closed it carefully.
"Aha!" he exclaimed, triumphantly,
1 iidIQAh6 AhC DdNh Wv PdNhdSIs INV
you are all right with your letter. l
want you, quite in the usual way, you
know, to enter the garden gate, walk
up the steps, thrust your letter into
the box-then wait. | think that's quite
clear?" he concluded, holding open the
door for me to go out, and closing 1t
before had time to assure him that
| had lx-e 40
| hesitated a moment at the door;
then, setting my teeth firmly, dropped
the pliers through the opening for let
tiers. | cannot say precisely what |
had anticipated, but | know that, i'm
mediately after the act, felt as nerv-
Gus man does when he takes second
pull at the trigger Of gun that has
missed fire.
WAS that you whistler" called the
voice of the inventor from within.
rs everything going off all right in
there?" inquired, in my turn, through
the keyhole.
Simply drop it in the box in the or
binary way" requested the inventor
peevishly, / thought
Il have" | said, shortly.
What have you done, my dear sir?"
persisted therinveltor, with rising ir-
ritability.
POSTED the letter." shouted.
The door opened slowly and the in
ventor on his knees, shuffled backwards
with it. He took not the slightest no
tice of me, but proceeded to pat his
pockets one after the other, and then
to grope about the floor, peering under
the chairs, moving out the hat stand
and pulling up the mats
''Can | do anything to help your"
asked, at length, thinking that he was
seeking the handspring of his inven-
ton.
"Eh, what? Confound em!" NUT
tered the inventor, looking up for an
instant.
Lost anything?" | ventured.
"Of course | havei" he reDlied. sar-