A Tale of Negative Gravity by Frank R. Stockton

A retired man in his middle years and his spouse embark on a lengthy stroll, linked arm in arm, traversing many miles, scaling hills, crossing fields, burdened with a packed knapsack and a weighty picnic basket. Yet, they remain completely comfortable owing to the man's creation: a device that counteracts gravity, lightening their load. This invention aids him in farm tasks. Subsequently, during a mountain expedition, he astounds an unwitting member of the Alpine club with his swiftness and dexterity on a challenging ascent, despite carrying a hefty load and lacking an outward appearance of great strength. Recognizing the immense financial potential of his invention, he finds himself in a comical predicament that causes familial strife, which he ingeniously resolves. This whimsical tale was initially featured in a compilation by Frank R. Stockton titled "The Christmas Wreck and Other Stories" (New York, 1886), a scanned version of which is accessible on The Internet Archive.