The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-04-20


nav better part of five minutes il is
only natural that you should feel
impressed in some way (the exact way
Is rather matter of temperamenO
when he calls you My dear fellow"
and insists that you really must drop
in and see him.
l did The Inventor lived In curious
little surprise in architecture in a
northwest suburban road which had no
end. For several minutes 1 searched
the inventors door and doorpost for a
knocker or a bell; but nothing could 1
discover beyond a 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.
1 tapped with my umbrella: the door
opened, and the Inventor, beaming
through his spectacles. graSped my
hand.
Capital. capital" he exclaimed, plac-
ing screw driver in the outside pocket
of his velvet jacket and a pair OF pliers
through a buttonhOle.
You're just in time" he went on.
Now. you see that letter bOx-nothing
unusual about ii, as a letter box, you
would say?"
looked at the object i'm question. 1t
appeared to me exactly like thousands
of other cheap brass affairs one sees
upon the suburban door, l conveyed
this impression. suitably modified, to
the Inventor, who chuckled low with de-
light.
Exactly. exactly" he cried: that's
just the point: looks like the ordinary
thing Now, any other man who had
invented a box like that would have
! had it carved or stamped with his name
, and address: in fact, he would have to-
tally spoilt the simplicity of the whole
thing-you understand me?"
did not III the least, so l said quite
so.''
We'll. now" proceeded the Inventor
hugging himself with enjoyment, with
my letter box-by the way. l have
comprehensive, eh?"
Extremely neat" said.
so il is: so it is" he agreed. still
beaming; post - post: VENT - has
come; Sraph-write; the thing ex
! plains itself. But you would like to see
it in action?"
Il should consider it great honor"
l assured him. He appeared to feel
assured.
Il don't mind telling YOU" he init
mated, kindly. that l believe it will 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 a tube by the wains-
| cot and engaged an iron lever upon
which was fastened. by means of
wire, what looked like the receptacle
from a pair of scales. Above this was
a black box. The general effect rather
recalled the interior of a street railway
signal box.
Now" exclaimed the Inventor, who
had haan rfInnincr his ho
| mechanism tenderly. perhaps you
would just act as postman for half a
minute?'
tried to look as much like postman
as could at so brief a notice
Let me see. You will want a letter"
explained my host.
/ took one of several from my pocket
and held it out. The Inventor weighed
the envelope in his hard. and shook his
head.
Erin afraid that would hardly be
the thing-hardly the thing he de-
clared musingly.
handed him in turn letters of several
sizes, old but serviceable; still the In
ventOr did not seem satisfied. Sud
| denly. however, his face frightened
and, taking the pliers from his button
hole. he placed them in the longest en-
velope and closed it carefully.
'Aha!' he exclaimed, triumphantly,
handlnS me back the package; now
you are all right with your letter.
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. l think that's quite
clear?" he concluded. holding open the
door for me TO go out, ard closing ii be-
fore | had time to assure him that / had
thoroughly grasped the idea.
In order 10 do justice to the great in
vention, l turned up my coat collar, put
my hat on the back of my head. and
turned my toes we'll out as 1 thumped
up the garden path.
l hesitated a moment at the door:
then, setting my teeth firmly. 1 dropped
the pliers through the opening for let
tiers. l cannot say precisely what 1 had
anticipated, but 1 know that, immedi-
ately after the act, 1 felt as nervous
man does when he takes a second pull