The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-29
Erening Story
The Impossible Inventor.

BY r. RAY BAKER.
The Childs sisters paused at the
sound OF hammering which issued
from barnlike structure set some
distance from the woodland path they
were travelling.
Ruth, the younger. laughed aloud.
There's poor old Rhoderic invent
strong suspicion of derision in her
tone. wonder what it can be now
a lamp that will burn the same cleo
tricty twice or wheelbarrow without
handles?"
Hilda, two years older, smiled for
moment, but quickly look of wistfui-
ness flashed to her dark face.
.Rhoderic 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 impos-
sible"
Hilda was silent as they walked
along toward home. She was disap-
making good at something, but she
would not admit it. She had been in
love with him a couple of years ago
and they had practically become en-
gagged. Then he became possessed
with u mania for invention and gave
up his Job as mechanic in garage in
the city of Dayton.
Now he was working on brand
new idea shutting himself off from
the world like Edison.
'It'Il make me rich-maybe," he
had said enthusiastically three weeks
ago when Hilda saw him the last time.
'"Then you and 1 can do what we
planned-unless you change your
mind"
In truth, Hilda was changing her
mind. She had lost confidence IN
Rhoderic, had come to the conclusion
he was doomed to dream ms NE
away, burning up his energy in useless
experiments. and another man hao
come across her horizon.
Where the path converged with a
sidewalk and lost itself in cement
Hilda and Ruth met this man. he
was walking rapidly along, head erect
arms swinging. His attire was busl-
ness suit with check that verged on
"loudriess." His eyes always snapped
and he had an effulgent smile ready
at his command. This smile spread
across his countenance when he met
the girls, bringing himself to sud-
den stop.
Afternoon, ladies. Whittier going"
Home" said Ruth. We're taking
some oranges to Clifford"
Clifford was their invalid brother.
who had never walked and always had
made his way about in wheel chair.
either Hilda or Ruth usually being the
motive power.
"Oh, Clifford said the business
like 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
Wonderful day. isn't it? May I call
this evening"" The question was
directed at Hilda, and she smiled and
nodded.
Good" he said. This old towns
pretty dead. isn't it? Nothing to keep
it awake except Rhoderic Smiths
noise. I heard a terrific hammering
from his machine shop this morning.
Bright chap that; but his intelligence
is nisdirected. I'd give him a job if
he'd work at it, but he prefers to in
vent. I guess he'll never do anything
worth while for the human race. On
the other hand, look at me. Every
resort lot 1 sell here in Cloverdale is
doing somebody good. 1t provides a
way to fresh air for the smoke-in-
haling city dwellers and it brings dol
lars to the local merchants. I'll be the
making of this town yet. Well, good
bye; I've got to run up to the city for
an hour"
Goodbye. Mr.. Howard" the girls
returned. and watched him hustle up
the street.
Before long the girls arrived at a
neat UNCOVERED cottage, which was
their abode. Their father was county
clerk and that was the reason of
their residence in Cloverdale, which
was the county seat. His salary was
by no means princely, but the Chill is
family enjoyed a good living.
Mrs. Childs was busy in the kitchen
when the girls entered, while Clifford
sat in big armchair by a window.
reading a book. He was emaciated
and pale. but his rather attractive
countenance lighted up when he saw
his sisters. Clifford had tried at times
to work in an office, but his frail con-
stitution would not permit it; SO now
of which he had been able to dispose
of for small sums. He dearly loved
oranges.
Tomorrow afternoon" he said.
I'm going out in the woods+for in
spiration. That is, If It doesn't rain
and if one of you big sisters will wheel
me-" He began peeling an orange.
But the next day it rained, and the
next and the next. Mr.. Howard called
twice during the week, but no pro-
posal was forthcoming. Evidently he
| was waiting for the big deal to come
"
its progress.
The rain continued for a week. and
than came a bright, sunshiny Monday.
Hilda was getting Clifford's wheel
| chair ready for the journey to the
woods in quest of inspiration when
there was a knock at the door. When
| it was opened it revealed Rhoderic
Smith. his untrimmed black hair
| looking like heap of brush, his hat
! in his hand. Spots of grease covered
his cheap brown suit and there were
no traces of polish on his shoes. He
! was smiling joyfully.
Hello. folks" he drawled. well,
| I'm out again. 1 just drove over in
my new bus. I'm going to sho% Cliff
ford how to run it and let him take
( a ride; and as soon as the new COM
pany gets to making them I'll present
him with the original. Come on out
| and see it,
why, Clifford never could"-Ruth
| began.
| Eyes he ran. coune or out and