Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1921-07-09
The Impossible
Inventor
BY r. RAY BAKER.


sound of hammcring which issued
fDpm barn.like structure set some
distance from the woodland path they
we're travelling
Ruth. the younger. laughed aloud
There's poor old Rhodcric invent
ing something" She said, with a strong
suspicion of deii>ion In her tone.
Wonder what ii can he nova lamp
lhac will burn the same electricity
twice or II wheelbarrow without han
dies"
llilda. two years older. smiled for
moment. hut quickly a look Of visit
fulncss flashed To her dark face.
"Rhoderlck Smith is a genius" she
said gently, and seemed to sigh.
Some day he'll invent something
worth while"
Ruth continued to laugh.
He'd better hurry, then. Nothing
he has invented So far has been
financial success or has done anybody
in the world any good. He's imp"s-
sible."
along toward home She was di>ap-
pointed because Rhoderic was not
mixing good at something. but she
would not admit ii. She had been in
love with him a couple of years ago
and they had practically become en-
gagged Then he became possessed with
n mania for Invention and gave up
his job as mechanic in a garage in tile
city OF Dayton
Now he was working on a brand
new idea, shutting himself of from
the world like Edison.
It'll make me rich-mayhe. he
said enthusiastically three weeks ago
when Hilda saw him the last time.
Then you and can do what We
plnnned-unesS you change your
mind"
In truth. Ililda was changing her
mind. She had lost confidence in
Rhodcric had come to the conclusion
he was doomed 10 dream his life away.
burning up his energy in useless ex-
perimcntS. and another man had come
across her horizon.
Where the path converged with a
sidewalk and lost itself in cement
Hilda and Ruth met this man. lie
was walking rapidly along. head erect.
avms swinging. His attire was Il bus
mess suit with a check that verged
on 'loudne>s." His eyes always
snapped and he had an cffug"nt smile
ready AT his command This smile
spread across his Counienance when
he met the girls. bringing himself to
a sudden stop.
afternoon. ladies. Whittier g"ins?'
Home" said Ruth Were taking
some oranges 10 Clifford"
Clifford was their invalid brother.
who had never walked and always had
nude his way about in wheel chair
either Hilla or Ruth usually being the
motive power.
"Oh, Clifford" said the buSincSSlike
young man. Too bad about him. Wish
could do something for him. Wait
till this new deal of mine turns out
Maybe I'll be- rich: and then Won
Gerfu day. isn't it: May call this
evening"" The question was directed
at Hilda. and she smiled and nodded
Good" h. said This old towns
Pretty dead isn't II? Nothing Ia keep
il awake except Rhuderick Smiths
noise heard terrific hammering
from his machine shop tlh> morning
Bright chap. that: hut his intelligence
Is misdlrrctcd. I'll give him a job II
he'd work ri IL, hut he prefers 10 in
vent. gueSS he'll never do anything
worth while for the human race. On
the other hand look NJ me. Every
resort lot | sell here in Clovcrdale is
doing somebody good. II provides
way 10 fresh air for the smoke-inhal-
ing city jewellers. and II brings dollars
To the local merchants. I'll be the
making of this town Yet. Well, good
by: I've got 10 run up TO the city for
an hour"
"Good-by Mr.. Howard" the girls
returned. and watched him hustle up
the street.
Before Inng the girls arrived AT
neat Uncovered cottage. which was
their abode. Their father was county
clerk and that was The reason of their
residence ia Cloyerdnlc. which was
the county seat. Ills salary WAS 10y
no means princcly. hut the Childs fam
lily enjoyed good living.
Mrs. Childs was busy in the kitchen
when the girls entered. while Clifford
sat in big armchair by window,
reading book lie WAS emaciated
and pale. but his rather attractive
countenancc lighted up when hr saw
his sisters. Clifford had tried at
times to work in an office. hui his
frail constitution would not permit t.;
50 how h. busted himself writing
poetry. some OF which he had been
able 10 dispose Of for small sums He
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