Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-02-09


THE friend you were going to write
to about my burncr7" inquired Sam.
1t was here that Roland got a lool,
from Mr.. Burnham that withered him
completely.
"Why, no. Mr.. Graham" Burnham
interposed deftly. "Mr Barnette must
have been talking Of some one else
he knew in New York. p
Didn't know he knew more'n one
there" Sam observed mildly.
Burnham's glance Jumped warily to
Sans face. but withdrew treasured,
having detected therein nothing but
the old mans kindly and simple ma
ture. AT all events" he continued,
~ don't remember hearing anything
about the matter what did you call it ?
A burner, eh7, from Mr.. Barnettc."
81 s'rose Roland forgot" Sam al
lowed. "IIe's so busy coartln' our
pretty girls. Mr.. Burnham"-
Yves. TINT was It," Roland put in
hastily. seeing his chance to mend
matters. IL did intend to write you
about it. Mr. Burnham. but it kind OF
slipped my mind We've had a lot or
important business over TO the bank
recently"
"By the way. Roland. did you just
come from the bank? Is Mr.. Lock-
wood back YETI"
"No; got of this morning. don
think he Is, Sam. Did you want to
sec him."
"NNell. yes" Sam admitted. 81 guess
you know about that. Roland"
"Mean business. sometimes. asking
fnvors Of these bankers. eh. Mr.. Ora
ham?" Burnham remarked.
Graham, nodded dolcfully. YES, II
is unpleasant" he admitted confdinE-
w. You see. there's note OF mine
come due today, and I'm not able to
take care of it or pay the interest just
now. But I guess it'll be all right.
Mr. Lock woods kind. very kind"
I'm afraid you're a little too sure.
Sam" Roland contributed tactfully.
when there's money due Lockwood
be wants IT, and most times he gets
it or its equivalent"
But" Burnham changed the sub
ject adroitly, what was this-burner,
did you say-that Mr.. Barnette for
got to tell me abouti'
"Oh. Just one of my inventions. sir.
I've spent most Of my life at it, sir.
but somehow nothing has ever turned
out well--not so far, mean. But l
mean to hit It yet"
That's the way to talk" Burpham
cried heartily. Never give up, say!
But tell me about some of these in
ventions. won't you?"
"Well'-Sam knitted his fingers and
pursed his lips rehectively-''I patent
ed new type tnrashlng machine once,
but couldn't get anybody to take hold
OF It, You see, haven't any money,
Mr., Rurnham."
How would you like to talk it over
with me some time? I'm interested in
such things-as a sort Of side issue"
Sill ycu?" Sans eagerness was
not to be disguised.
BE glad to- Tell me. how did you
get your power"
PROM gas. sir, though coal will do
most as well. You see. I've got this
burner patented that makes gas from
crude oil-no waste. no odor nor trou-
bic and little expense. It'd be cheap
or than coal. l thought; that's why I
invented 1t. could get steam up
mighty quick with that gas arrange
ment use 1t for lighting here in
the store now"
DO you, indeed?" Rurnham's tone
indicated failing interest. but such
diplomacy was lost on Sam.
III you've got time could show
you. IT'S right over here"
A glance at his watch accompanied
Burnham's consent to spare a few
minutes. There's a telegram must
send presently" he said But I'd
like to see this burner, If 1t won't take
long"
mo, not long; just minute or two"
Sam was already dragging the affair
out from under the window box. You
See
He went on to expound its virtues
with all the fond enthusiasm Of a IA.
thcr showing off his firstborn aud
wound up with demonstration of the
Illuminating appliance I'm afraid.
though. he got little encouragement
from Mr.. Burnhan. He considered
the machine with a dispassionate air,
It's true. and admitted its practical
advantages, but wasn't at all disposed
to take roseate view Of its future.
"Yes," he grudged when Sam put n
very good light"
"All right. amt it?' chimed Roland,
enthusiastic.
"Oh 1t may amount to something.
It's hard to tell, OF course you know,
sir" he continued. addressing Ora
ham directly. you've got competition
to overcome"
Sans old fingers trembled to his
chin. MOO" he said. 81 didn't know
that. I've got the patent
"Of course that's something. But
the Consolidated Petroleum crowd has
another machine, slightly different,
which does the same work and,
should say, does It better"
Isis that so:" quavered Sam.
MY patent
NOW. see here, Mr., Graham" Burn
ham argued. we're practical men,
both OF US
NO, shouldn't say that about my
self" Sam interrupted. Now, you,
sir. ] can see you're man who under
stands such things. But r.
Nevertheless you must know that a