The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-11

and then he'll lave forgotten that I fooled
him."
Our hero's first act was to AXE OF the
Blunderer's heavy armor INC pile it in one
corner of the room. When free from the
weight OF metal he felt more like himself
again and walked to the window TO view
the scenery.
Its a pretty place, Chick, he said.
'Oh, the isle is all right answered the
child. Its the people here that are all
wrong, as you'll soon find out. Do you ever
eat, John Dough-"
Never" said John.
Then while you're waiting here I'll
go over TO the dairy and get my milk for
tea. You don't mind IL 1 Ieavey you for a few
minutes, do your"
-Not at aiI,' he declared. But it has
Just started to rain outside; you'll get wet,
won't your"
That's nothing laughed Chick, 4
won't melt"
Its different with ne" said John, sadly.
IF my gingerbread body got soaked it
would fall to pieces"
That made the little one laugh again
and she ran merrily from the room and left
John Dough alone to stare out of the win
dow. There was a projecting cornice over
head, so he had pushed his head well out
to observe the pretty scenery, when sud-
denly he heard q voice say, in a tone of
establishment:
Hello, n~eighbor'' 49,.
Turning toward the left, he saw sticking
out OF the next window to his own a long
bald head hat slanted up to a peak, under
nnaNk shiloh nAHA a~Al q HEEL uusNk.--l
face that was smiling in a most friendly
manner. '
John bowed politely.
wei, Welt" said the owner Of the bald
head. Here's another curiosity come to
our island' Wait a minute. and I'll run in
and make your acquaintance
So presently the bald head, which was
perched upon the body of a little, dried up
looking man, entered Johns room and
bowed politely.
I'm Sir Pryse Books he said, .and the
remarkable thing about me is that I'm an
inventor, and a successful one. You, /
perceive, are a delicatessen: a friend in
knead. / might say, a Pan-American. Ha,
ha!"
PLEASED to make your acquaintance"
returned John, bowing. But do not Joke
about my person, Sir Pryse. I'm proud
OF it."
Il respect your pride. sir. said the other.
"It's bread in the bone. doubtless. Ha, hal"
! John looked at him reproachfully, and
the little man at once grew grave.
This island is full of inv entors i" said he.
but they're gil cranks. and don't amount
to anything except me-"
What have you invented7' asked John.
This" said the other, takinga little tube
from his pocket. You will notice that il
often rains-it's raining now, il you'll look
outside. And the reason il rains is q because
the drops Of water fall to the earth by the
attraction Of gravitation."
II suppose So" said John.
Now, what do people usually do when it
rainsl" asked the little man.
They grumble," said John.
Yes, and they use umbrellas-umbrellas.
mind you, to keep themselves dry!"
And that Is quite sensible declared
John.
The bald headed one gave a ~scornful
laugh.
Its ridiculous!" he said angrily. An
umbrella is a big, clumsy thing, that the
wind jerks out Of your hand OF turns inside
oub' ~ ~ u huioohOc y carry IL dTOuuu,
and people always borrow it and never
bring II back.
AN umbrella, sir, is a humbug! A relic
Of the Dark Ages! I've done away with the
use Of umbrellas entirely, by means Of this
invention-this little tube, which can be
carried in ones pocket"
He held up a small instrument that looked
like a tin whistle.
How curious!" said John.
Isn't it? You see, within this tube is
stored a power Of repulsion that overcomes