NEW ZEALAND PATENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8031, 8 June 1904, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND PATENTS.

♦— ; ' Messrs Baldwin and Eayward £ Chartered Patent Attorneys, Wellington (Canterbury representative A. H. Hart, Gloucester Street, Christchuroh) report that they have acted as agents in the preparation and filing of applications for patents of New Zealand for the following inventions during the fortnight ending June 6:— James Gray (Reid and Gray), Dunedin, improvements in or relating to seed sowere ; E. G. May, Chrwrtchurch, an improved door-holder; Masters and Montgomery,* Inveroargiil, a- preparation for destroying the white-pine grub; T A. Nafih t Christchurch, improved device for preventing the guttering of candles ; Parsons and Stoney, , Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, improvements relating to Dynamo electric machines ; the Power and Mining Machinery Company, New York, improved apparatus for making producer and water gas; William Stokes, Chri«tchurch, an improVed petrol carburetor; Strange and Coverdale, Christchurch, an improved latchlock for gates, doors and the like ; Simon Scott, Wellington, improvements in moulds used in the manufacture of shortbread and similar cakes; H. G. Stewart, Marton, ah improved boot-cleaning machine; Ezra Smith, Gisborne, an improved method of stopping holes under water in a ship's hull ; W. Wolski, Austria, improvements in hydraulic deep-boring, apparatus ; C. B. Wight, Auckland, an improved beverage • J. H. Millar, Gore, an improved device fow sowing turnip and the like seeds. Messrs Baldwin and Raywurd have had nearly twenty years' patent practice, and at present handle the bulk of the patent business of New Zealand inventors. Pamphlets dealing with patents and inventions, and illustrating 100 mechanical movements, can be obtained from any office of the firm free on application. , 3379

ing to furnish as many victims as might be desired. (Possibly in this way he would have discovered a new method of suppressing pauperism.) However, his indifference was more disquieting than a threat. He seemed to say : " This will do well enough for the present, but we must come to a thorough understanding later on." And he sang and whistled and was unusually gay. A few weeks later, and just as the Brascourts were beginning to find We worth living, he asked for permission to tsme his meals in his own room, and it was granted to him. At the end of the second month ; M. Bra?court, as though he had tacitly pro j mised it to him, again made him a present j of 500 francs, and did the same at the end j of the third month, but after the fourth month had passed he concluded that he had done enough for his accomplice, and, as he handed him the money, he said: "I do i not use the automobile any more, Charley. : and therefore I have no need for a chauff- i cur. Don't you think lam right?" j " Yes," said Charley, smiling. "Then we'll haye — to part — with you," ! said Brascourt, hesitatingly. "It is not necessary," replit^ Charley. "It is true, sir, that you d not need a chauffeur, but you do need a secretary." " Not at all," answered Brascourt. j "If you will carefully think the matter over, sir," persisted Charley, "you wih see that you do need a secretary. Now, I speak three languages, English, Russian and German, and all I require is a slight increase of salary." • Brascourt began to protest, but Charley continued to smile at him calmly, and in the end he gave in. So he became encumber- i ed with a .secretary, and he, who found it very hard to employ his own time,_was now perplexed how he could employ Charley's time. , I A few weeks later Charley said to his employer "My life here is quite gloomy, and it would be charitable and prudent of you to. let me dine at your table. That lam entitled to this privilege is obvious." Brascourt assented, arid that very evening Charley, correctly and even elegantly attired, dined with the Brascourt family. Heproved himself a charming conversationalist, and quite well educated — at any rate as well as his hosts. They put up with him and so the chief author of the crime found himself on familiar terms with his accomplices. Even a room was assigned to him before he asked for it. In a word. Charley had become a gentleman. Meanwhile, the elder Brascourt died. Ludovic mourned for him, and then gave his attention to the business of- the firm. Like all ,the sons of merchants, he found the task' quite easy. The mercantile instinct which slumbered in him suddenly manifested itself, and he discovered that de-alms; in wines and spirits was the only amusement for which he was adapted. So delighted was he at knowing that he was of some use in the world he gave no thought to his tormentor, and when Charley said one morning at breakfast, "Your business is increasing every day," his joyous answer was, " Yes, it's very true." ' " Under your management," continued Charley. " the 'business is bound to in-' j crease." . ■ . j " Tt's very probable," answered Bras- j court | "fn that sase." purred Charley, "you ought to have i confidential representative." "What for?" exclaimed Ludovic, at once losing his temper. " He can represent you whenever you are absent," answered Charley. • "But I don't intend ever to go away," . said Brascourt, " and, besides, I have no confidence in anyone but myseif." "Yet it's possible," replied Charley, "that you may take a trip somewhere — in an automobile, for example." As he spoke, Ludbvic, to hi? <horror, saw the ghost of La Brique take a seat at the table. At the same time he heard the ] clamour in the court at Thumecourt, and j then the words of the judge, which were \ strangely impressive dn the silence which prevailed after the jury had announced the verdict. Charley, still smiling, watched him closely. A servant passed the fruit. Madame Brascourt, . sorely brightened, let her knife fall. ■ Ludovic bowed his head and said : " You are right. I ought to have a confidential man." " Would you be willing to give me such a position?" asked Charley. "With pleasure," replied Ludovic, bitterly. When lie went downstairs the servant | who had waited at the table told his \ companions of the conversation which he had heard. "It's incredible," declared the lady's maid. " There muat be some skeleton in the closet." Thus the truth is often unwittingly hit -upon by humble folk without their knowing it. j Charley began his new work at once. From the very stait he mad© his mark, and before a fortnight had passed all the other employees of tne firm were filled with admiration for this superior man. who had, so to speak, made himself. The customers, on the other hand, respected a man who had attained success so quickly, and who was evidently possessed of an extraordinary, talent for business. Polite towards his equals, indulgent towards his baferdors, respectful towards aia superiors, Charley wa-\ soon the real head of the firm. Ludwic's ! heart was filled with hatred. He saw ciearly that he had ceased to be of any importance. Indeed, his employees only consulted him as a matter of form. He

sagged papers and that was all. Some considerable business affairs were on foot. The Brasoourt cognac was being sent to poison innocent Fuegians or harmless Eskimos. And all tfhat Ludovic had' to do was to authorise these successful transactions, in which he had otherwise no part. i Finally, even the pleasure of signing 'his name was taken from ,ihim, for Charley one day boldly* announced his intention of becoming a member of the firm. "My dear M. Brasccmrt," he said familiarly to his former master," '.'I am rendering you services which you do not seem to appreciate, but as the profits of the business 'have doubled since you gave me a position here, I think it is only fair that I should obtain a small share of them." "What?" cried Ludovic. "Do you mean to say that you want to become my partner?" • * ,_. . " Don't talk so loud." answered Charley. " Remember, I am the only chauffeur who has never deserted his master. All I ask is fab remuneration for my labour — nothing more." "You are a wretch, c scoundrel! exclaimed L^""'«- „ " What a fuss you make albout nothing ! retorted Charley. "If you don't stop 111 be obliged to raise my voice, And to remind you that there is nothing you cam r«fuse me." . , Ludovic pondered for a few minutes. Onlj two years had passed since the day when he had forced La Brique to enter tihe realm of the blessed, and once more the murmurs of the court at Thumeconrt sounded m ma ears. „ . " Prepare the (partnership (papers, Ihe said, bowing "nis head. " I will sign them as soon as they are ready." Thenceforth the <na.me of the firm was " Brascourt and Cha.rley." Ludovic had no longer the exolusivc right to B!s.n any papers. Indeed, they dispensed with his services altogether, and forced' him to resume his former lazy manner of living. He felt in his heart a bitter spite, the spite of a weak man, toward Charley. But *hat could he do? Even if he were to get into trouble on account of the accident at Carpiquet it would be impossible for him to bet-ray his partner. Madame Bra?oourt urged 'him not to comply wifh OharleVs demands. "What a nonentity you are !" she complained. " This man. is o\ir accomplice, and h« cannot denounce M% without denouncing himself. Don't give in to him. Discharge 'him.-." , Brascourt shook his head, for he knew that Oil-s adversary was protected by the late La Brique. All that Ihe could do was to submit — to submit and wait. - \ proverb which it pleases me to think is Chinese says:— "Do not take vengeance, events will a venire you." Ludcmc decided to let events wear on to the time which would prove the doubtful truth of this saying. Meanwhile, he carefully concealed the hatred which he bore toward Charley. The latter believed himself master of the situation and soon did not even tolerate his partner's presence in the office. Th>'t it vfas hi 6 intention to manage the entir* business he told him plainly, and Ludovir did not object. He seemed to accept^ with oratitude the additional time for leisure which was granted him. Moreover, Charley desired to enter the best society, and Ludovic offei-ed his assistance, presented him everywhere, and admitted him to his own circle of friends. , At this point Charley committed a. most : mpruden act. Madame Brascourt was si -li. very pretty. She had the solid and attractive beauty which is so generally found among women of her rank. Indeed, sht reminded, one of the best traditions of art, for if two arms could be put on that remarkable kitchenmaid known hb th* V«nus of.Milo, her figure would be of exactly the same proportions as Madame Bra-scourt's Charley dared to raise his eyes to his master's wife, and he was not particular as to the manner in which he made lov<i to her. The reckless fellow even proposed an automobile excursion, his intention being to pay court to her while they rolled along. Ludovic accepted the proposition and they stat-ted, Madame Brasoourt taking her seat in the rear beside her husband's partner. Ludovic sat in front, with his hand on the lever. In a few moments he heard them, whispering behind him^ and at once guessed that the man 'who had robbed him of his fortune, his peace of mind, and his self-respect, was now striving to steal his last shred of happiness — the love of his" wife. As the carriage stopped for a moment he asked, "Where- are we going?" • " Drive sfcraightahead," answered Charley. / Bx-ascourt pondered for a few seconds, then crouched down again on his seat, iie had decided what to do. And justHhen occurred the accident at Lisieux, an account of which ha 6 appeared in all the papers. As they entered the suburbs of Lisieux and approached a hill which is well known to automobilists, Brascourt let the machine go at full speed. In a second they were on the 'brow of the terrible hill, and Charley, who had a presentiment that some disaster was at hand, cried : — " Stop, Brascourt stop ! The hill ! Leoik out!" Ludov'f di<? not answer, and down the steep descent the automobile rushed at its utmost speed. To his wife and to Charley, Brascourt's mad act at once became clear. Charley remonstrated, and attempted to check the veihicle, but a blow from his partner's fist sent him reeling back to his seat. At incredible speed they rushed along. In a twinkling they reached the valley, and there the end came t for the automobile dashed against a tree. And there, in the midst- of the smoke, the shattered iron, the broken axle, and the splin-

tered rods, the Angel of Death appeared to Ludovic Brascourt. Three months afterward Charley and Madame Brascourt, -who had been (miraculously preserved from injury, were married, and they lived very happily together. The story which" I have just tojdjfl proof that a man who works hard and conduct* himself properly can obtain anything he desires. ,