Can't cut the grass right now.

The grass was only a couple of inches high but the weeds between the grass was up to my knees so for the second time this year I pull the rusty old lawn mower out, fill the tank with gas. Pick up and throw a few bundles of sticks over the river bank, pump 3 times on the gas plunger and yank at the rope. Once, twice, 3 times. It's not going to start. And if I keep pulling, the rope is going to break. It is already frayed. I'd hoped it would last another 6 weeks when we plan to move away and abandon it. but now it is obvious I have to make a repair. So I get my tools out and remove the top cowl and the gas tank. I see that it is going to take more undoing than that to get at the spot where I can feed a new rope in so I quit for the night. The sand fleas are too pesterous right now and it will be dark soon anyway. Easter afternoon I go at it again. The bugs are barely there so I get it apart to put on a new rope. I know I've got some extra clothes line but one is too thick and another is too short so I decide to use the original rope after cutting off both frayed ends and I'll allow the pull handle to rest atop the engine instead of nestling it in the handle tray. I get it all back together without spilling any gas and only getting a little bit of dirt into the crankcase via the oil filler tube. The machine starts easily and purrs like a 1974 Chevy Chevette with 108 thousand miles on it, a coat hanger holding the tailpipe to the bumper and a garbage bag duct taped to where the back window used to be. The lawnmower is running slower than it should and I try to adjust it but don't know which way to push the throttle lever. It doesn't matter. Either way I push it there is no change in the engine sound. So slowly I walk around the side yard. After 4 or 5 laps the engine sputters and dies. I try for half an hour to restart it but no joy. I think maybe I've lost a spring from the throtle lever or something. There is one on there but there is no tension. (not on the machine anyway). I don't want to put any money into this machine. It came with the house 3 years ago and took a $50 service charge to get it running good enough to last 2 or 3 years with just one more oil and spark plug change. and oh yeah there was that time last year when I was running with the lawn mower so I could get some exercise while cutting grass and the blade struck the blade guard. Put a big slice in the metal and stopped the blade cold. I had to cut it off with tin metal snips and now have to be sure not to put my feet near the base of the mower. so anyway the grass still needs cutting but it's raining now so I can't do it. I called the landlord and left a message on his machine. I asked him if he has a push mower I could borrow and if so could he drop it off here sometime when he's in the neighborhood. I know he would send his son around to mow the front and back yard with the rider but I don't think they can get that thru the gate to the side yard. So maybe I will cut the grass again before I move and maybe I won't.

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