Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1917-11-02

vent Of thu flustrious Jennings (who
was described In the advertisements as
the peer Of Edison) had been set up
beside the newer miracle of mechanics.
and it was working with steady, labori-
GUS patience. under the guidance of
skilled hand. Meanwhile the Jennings
automatic. tended only by girl. was
casting forth straw hats as a modern
printing press disgorges newspapers.
Mr.. Ely had never seen 1t run so fast.
and he viewed it with considerable un-
easiness. for lie knew that something
would happen If it should
clog while going at such gait. But
the ere Of Jennings was sharper than
an eaTle's. and, though he seemed to
be wholly at his ease, he was always
on the watch for the danger signal.
"Now. gentlemen" he was saying.
I'VE will give you all chance to ex.
anime this mechanism to better atlvan.
tace than is possible while it is being
operated at high speed. Miss VIII
liams. will you oblige me-
Miss Williams Obliged Despite her
innocent and girlish mien. she was an
expert with the automatic. trained un-
der the inventors eye for many
months. She knew as well as he did
that the moment had come when the
machine must be stopped or it would
cut such capers as would set the crowd
bowling. She smiled sweetly at Mr..
Jennings and turned of the power
The automatic came to rest.
"uentle as lamb" said the invent
or, patting the iron child of his brain.
as if moved by affection for it, but
really to see how hot it was in various
places. 'Now, gentlemen. I will re-
move certain parts so that you ma:
understand how we get these remarka-
BILE results"
Mr.. Ely meanwhile had passed be-
hind the machine and stopped beside
the pile Of plated straw with which
the automatic was fed. 1t happened,
then. that he noted the unlighted cigar,
and, kneeling there, he took out the
box of matches which the little peddler
had sold to him. He was about to
light one of them when his attention
was stricken by voice, and he listen
ed, motionless.
1t was a squat. dark, oily skinned
man who was speaking. Ely had a
glimpse of his face through wheel of
the machine and recognized him for a
curb broker named Stendhall, in re-
gard to whom he had received warn
ing that the fellow might try to work
an unfriendly game with the stock.
,"Mr. Jennings" said Stendhall, "some
Of us are not satisfied with this exhibit
.tion. We would like to see test Of
four hours continuous operation four
hours at least. We
But Ely heard no more. There was
ringing in his ears, with a dizziness
that made him put hand upon the
floor to steady himself. The bare floor
was cold to the touch, being made Of
slabs Of stone. An idea seemed to leap
from the tips Of Ely's fingers to his
brain. He cast hasty glance over the
pile Of straw. No one was observing
him.. Ten seconds later he arose with
a lighted cipar hotwoon- -his -lins- Tho
inextinguishabIe match was briskly
sizzling In the straw.
Ely stepped behind Miss Williams.
who had got down from her place at
the machine. He had ndpecial inter.
est In her, but she was the only
man present, and her 1lble
for her safety. 70
"Firer' yelled somebads and on the
instant beautiful squirt dame. leap
ed straight for the vitals 0fs Tire auto
matte. There was Wild rush for the
doors, and Ely observed StendhalI. with
his head down, butting his way 10
safety and roaring with panic.
Beyond few scratches and the rend
ing Of garments no harm was done
The fire burned itself out on the stone
floor. and there was nothing for the.
firemen to do when they arrived. After
It was all over the inventor, pale with
excitement, laid hand on Ely's shoul-
der and stared into his eyes.
by George. sir!'' said he. you're
the quickest man to think that ever l
saw. You saved our bacon that time.
sure"
"How do you know I did it2''
well said the inventor, shivering
and grinning, Il hope rye got as much
faith in Providence as any person
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