Why on earth do you want to ride on a
locomotive?"
"Oh, it's not a locomotive, Griggs. You don't understand. Where are
you bound for?"
"Philadelphia."
"Ten:ten?" Hawkins cried eagerly.
"Ten:ten," I said.
"Then, by George, you'll be with us! You'll see the whole show!"
Hawkins caught my coat-sleeve and dragged me toward the train-gates.
"See, here," I said, detaining him, "what whole show?"
"The--oh, come and see it before we start."
"No, sir!" I said firmly. "Not until I know what it is. Are you going
to play any monkey-shines with the locomotive, Hawkins? What is it?"
"But why don't you come and see for yourself?" the inventor cried
impatiently. "It's--it's----"
He paused for a moment.
"Why, it's the Hawkins Alcomotive!" he added.
"And what under heavens is the Hawkins----"
"Well, you don't suppose I'm carrying scale drawings of the thing on
me, do you? You don't suppose that I'm prepared to give a demonstration
with magic lantern pictures on the spot? If you want to see it, come and
see it.
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