The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-02-25
Billy RawlinS,
Inventor


that is what the folks of Crestville
said, ard in accordance with the best
law of nature they were in position to
know, as Billy had spent all of his
fifteen years of Mother Earth among
them.
Powerful smart lad!" that was the
expression Of Squire Miller, when one
evening he espied Billy coming down
the road mounted on a contrivance
that appeared to be half bicycle and
half tricycle.. He had evidently been
to the village for the family groceries,
for they were fastened on behind, and
the genius" was coming down the
stretch at good pace.
The Squire reined in his horse and
waiting until Billy was almost abreast
of him shouted:
Hellol Billy What do you call
that?"
The freckled face, surmounted by
the tow-colored hair, turned and
grinned IN recognition. There was an
immediate ceasing Of motive power
anu sNrlll voice rerIeu.
Hello, Squire! That you? This is
the Rawlins Improved Baggage Car
and bike combined. the only one Of its
kind, and guaranteed to carry any
thing from a pound Of sugar to bale
OF hay. Have look at It. Amt 1t a
peach, though" and Billy, dismount-
ing, stood regarding the latest product
Of his inventive mind with no little
pride, as well he might, for it was
really creditable piece of work for a
youth Of his years. The machine re-
sembled an ordinary bicycle in front,
but the rear portion had been altered
and was fitted up with two wheels,
while in between the wheels and rest
ing on the axle a roomy box had been
built, which now contained the gro
ceries.
Squire Miller, being one Of the ad-
mirers Of Billy's inventive genius, be-
came almost as enthusiastic over the
baggage car" as Billy himself, while
he wanted to know the ms and outs
Of every little thing connected with it.
You see, Squire" began the young
inventor by way Of explanation, Il
made this out Of brother Ben's old
bike that snapped him for corn hlsk-
ing time, and tother wheel got from
Eben Holt for my big jack rabbit.
worked on il all winter after chores
and just got it done. Pa and ma says
1t Is all foolishness and waste of
time and that it will turn out like my
other inventions, but am going to
show them that Whoa Doll! Gee
whizl"
The sudden break in Billy's conver-
sation and his rather forcible exclam-
alton was caused by the actions of the
Squire's horse. Billy, talking eagerly.
had all the while been getting closer
and closer to the Squires buggy with
not the least thought Of danger. A
big fly that was buzzing around in ep-
proximation at this critical moment
decided to sample a bit Of the cid |
horses hide and Doll, in commend
aSle desire to dislodge the insect.
struck out wildly with her hoof. 1t
didn't touch the fly by a foot, but it
lid strike Billy's baggage car" right
amidship and sent it flying, while the
inventor turned compete somer-
sault and after plowing up the high
way with his nose for several yards,
got on his feet. a rueful look inter-
mingled with the dust Of the road on
his face. But the rueful look deep
sned when he saw his beloved inven-
lion lying on the other side of the
road, the groceries scattered about.
marking the course the machine had
aiken in its sudden flight.
The Squire, kind man though he
vas, had hard time Of it to keep
himself from bursting outright with
aughter at the funny spectacle. but
le controlled his feelings as best he
,ould, and getting down from his car
'iage, he helped Billy straighten up
he ruins, which were not so bad as
hey might have been, as the "bag-
rage car" was not much the worse for
Is strenuous experience except for a
ew dents. But the groceries were
learly all destroyed and the young
inventor felt sad when he thought Of
he trip to the woodshed with his pa,
hat his return home without them
would occasion, and also the possible
'Rforced Abandonment OF the Raw
ins' Improved Baggage Car for al