Alaska sentinel., 1907-03-14

Out.
 There you are, sir" he said, when the job was done. You can't shake that loose in hurry. But I found something else that needs oyerhauling. There's a flaw in that front axle. Some day 1t will drop. Better change 1t for new one the first time you go near the factory"
 ''Thank you. boy. I'm getting In your debt pretty deeply. How much do I owe youT
 The boy hesitated
 Figure 1t all in," said the man in gray; "the Samaritan part of 1t and getting the car back into the road, and the general repairl1g-as well as the cautionary advice" And he thrust his fingers into his vet pocket
 I'll charge you 10 cents for the bolt" said the boy. Tt belongs to Joe"
 The man whistled.
 How much moref" "Nothing. sir.'
 "Nothingm
 "Why, no. There's nothing to charge for. I'm not a regular work man. Besides, wouldn't think of taking advantage of a man in trou- ble"
 The strangers mouth twitched curl ously.
 I'm glad I met you. boy. It was worth the bump. You are the first person who has done favor for me In years without expecting to be hand somely rewarded. Here's Joe's 10 cents."
 Thank you, sir," said the boy, as he took the coin. Don't forget about the axle"
 NO" said the stranger. He eyed the boy earnestly. What's your am bitIon?' he asked.
 The boy blushed.
 I'd like to own this shop be an- swered.
 Not very profitable, is ity' the stranger asked.
 Tt does a pretty fair trade said the boy. and the business could be increased quite good deal. It's the dull season, now, but we do more or less repairing all the year round When I met you I was just driving back from Melrose where I'd taken lot of repair work, mostly farm tools. That load must have netted Joe fully nine dollars" The stranger smiled
 Joe ought to take you in as a part ner."
 He doesn't want any partner. He wants to sell out and go West where his brother lives. He's offered the shop for sale. He'd let 1t go for nine hun dred dollars cash, and it's great chance. know pretty much every bit of stuff in the place and nine hundred dollars is bargain price" He sighed heavily. q only wish had the mon- ey-but fifty dollars aln't a very close approach to it."
 Any danger of Joe's selling 1t to somebody else?" the stranger asked.
 "Yes, there Is. There were two men over here from Warsaw yesterday look ing at the place. Joe told me they offered him $500 for It, but he said he told them he wouldn't come down. They are coming back tomorrow to give him a final answer"
 The stranger was leaning against the car.
 Haven't you ever wanted to go to the city?" be asked.
 "Oh, yes" cried the boy, many times. But I know how hard 1t is to find work there And here Is my chance at home until I can go there without any thoughts of where the bread and butter Is to come from"
 That's sensible," said the gray stranger.
 "Oh, I'll get there yet" laughed the boy. "I'm-I'm, well, I'm something of an inventor, and, of course, I'm likely to strike 1t rich If keep at 1t" He laughed again. That's all boasting." he went on. q have lots of ideas. but only one of them has been turned into a model. Would you like to see it?
 "Of course I would," replied the stranger, and he followed the lad into little office.
 Here 1t is," said the lad, as he open ed a drawer. Its a simple little de vice to be attached to a gun, a device that will prevent the piece from going oil suddenly. You know how many accidents happen when guns are pulled through fences, or hammers catch on boat seats and In many other ways. But if you put my little device on the gun such mishaps are quite impossi- ble"
 The stranger eyed the attachment in an interested manner.
 Tt looks like good thing" he said. Patented"
 "I'm going to apply for the patent as soon as I can afford It."