Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1910-12-22

ct 0XeO TO the wall. btFOuS rush OF
gas extinguished the match. and he
turned the flow half Off before trying
again. This time the vapor caught
and settled to steady brilliant fame
as white as and much softer than
acetylene.
"Therer he said in triumph. What
dye think Of that. Homer?"
why" l said. II didn't know you
had an acetylene plant"
mo more have l. Homer"
"But what is that. thenr' I demand
ed
"Tts my invention" he returned
proudly. "Ive been workin' on 1t two
years. Homer. and only got it goin'
yestiddy It's goin to be great thing.
l tell you"
"But what is 1t, Sam?'
ITS gas from crude petroleum,
Homer See" he continued. indicat-
ing a tank beneath the bench which
seemed to be connected with the
bracket by a very simple system of
piping. broken by smaller. cylindrical
tank. "Ye put the oil In there--just
crude as 1t comes out Of the wells.
Homer 1t don't need refinin'. and 1t
runs through this and down here to
this. where it's vapOriZed-much the
same's they vaporize gasoline for au-
tymObile engines. We know-and then
1t just naturally flows up to the brack-
ct, and there ye are"
Its wonderful. Sam" said l. won
dering If it really were.
"And the best part Of 1t is the econ
omy. Homer A gallon will run one
jet six weeks. day in and out. And
simple to install. tell ye"-
"Have you got 1t patented yet?'
"Yes, stree. Took out patents just as
soon as it struck me how simple 1t nd
be-more than two years ago. Only,
Of course. it took time to work 1t out
just right. specially when l had to
stop now and then cause l needed
money for materials. But it's all right
now. Homer; it's all right now"
"And you say Roland Barnette's writ
ing to some one in New York about
it?"
Eyes: he promised he would I ex-
planned 1t to Roland. and he seemed
real interested. He's kind. very kind"
was inclined to doubt this and
would probably have said something
to that effect had not a shadow cross
ing the window brought me to my feet
in CONSERVATION. But before | could
do more than rise Colonel Bohun had
flung open the door and stamped in.
He stopped short at sight of me, mis-
guided by his nearsighted eyes, and
singled me out with a threatening
wave of his heavy stick.
well, SIR" he snarled, I've come
enough in your added pate to under
stand that. man? I've come for my
answer"
''And may have it. whatever it may
be, for all of me-" told him.
His face flushed deeper red. "Oh.
it's only you. is it, Littlejohn? l took
you for that fool Graham in this dirty
dark hole. Where is hep
! looked to Graham. and he followed
the direction of my gaze to the work
bench, where Sam stood with his back
to it, his worn hands folded quietly
before him. He seemed little whittier
than usual, thought, and perhaps it
was only my fancy that made him APP
pear to tremble ever so slightly. for he
was quite calm and self possessed-so
much so that | realized for the first
time there was another man in Rad
vile besides myself who did not fear
old Colonel Bohun
I'm here. colonel" he said quietly
"What Is II you wish?
The colonel swung on him. shaking
with passion But he held his tongue
until he had mastered himself sorce-
what. feat of self restraint on his
part over which l marvel to this day.
"You know well. Graham" he said
presently. "You got my etter-the let.
ter wrote you week ago?"
Yes" said Sam. with II start of com.
prehension. Yes. | got it,"
''Then why the devil. man. don't
you answer it?''
Sans apologize smile sweetened his
face. Why" he said hatingly. I'm
sure l meant no offense: but. you see.
I'm very busy man. forgot It,"
THE devil you forgot it! Dye ex-
pect me to believe that. MANI"
Pm afraid you'll have to-"
Bohun was speechless for a moment,
stricken dumb by second seizure of
fury. But again he Gained himself
very we'll: I'll swallow that inso-
lence for the present.
ut wasn't meant as such. l ASSURE
Don't interrupt me! Dyou hear ?
I've come for my answer Yes, I've
come down to that. Graham. If you
can't accord me the common courtesy
of written reply I've come to hear 1t
from your mouth"
Sam nodded thoughtfully. "Mebbe. f"
he said, you forget you have failed
! m oonprd fha q