The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-08-25

weight. Nothing | can say could avail
with the incredulOus faces and ironical
smiles before me, and prefer, therefore,
to give you proofs first and words after
ward. Now this barrel of cannon
weighs about $4,000 pounds. l wind
this feeble wire around it. By listening
attentively you will hear faint sound,
such as the wire makes when playing
with telegraph line. But this is moth
ing essential. | connect the two ends of
the wire, and the result is that the barrel
which weighs 10000 pounds becomes as
| light as soap-bubble. See how | move
| it through the air, with one hand, with
this little finger alone! l shall now let
the barrel down to rest on this stout
oaken bench; it is not crushed, it does
not even creak But mark-now | sever
the connection between the two wires!"
| He suited his action to his words. With
crash the oaken bench gave way, and
the barrel rolled on the floor.
This convincing test of the greatest
discovery yet made by man fell upon the
party like a thunder bolt. Heir D. s face
fairly beamed with satisfaction, while all
the rest beset the inventor with questions
ann wanted detailed explanations.
81 beg you to give your attention once
more" said the unknown. "The influ-
ence of the wire is not confined solely to
metallic substances. This bench can be
easily Invested of its weight, and, should
| wind the wire round my body, could
leap with perfect safety from the highest
tower. For the present am obliged to
abstain from such public exhibitions, but
you shall have an illustration in this
room"
A ladder was brought in, which the
unknown mounted after the servant had
left the room. Having reached the top,
he wound his wire around his chest, and
leapcd into the air. Like feather borne
by breeze he floated lightly to the floor
" You perceive, gentlemen" resumed
the unknown, "What mysterious powers
of nature may still be made serviceable
to man. From the curious chances you
bestow on the wire infer that you sus-
peCt the secret of my discovery to lie in
it. This is, however, a mistake; the wire
is nothing more than a conductor. If
desired, I will 90 with you any day to
| Wilhelmshaven and demonstrate there
more clearly the immense importance Of
this invention by some experiments on a
larger scale. ! will wind wire no
thicker than thread round the 'Koenag
! WILHELM the largest iron clad, and land
! it in the dry-dock with one hand. Here
take this wire, examine it closely, cut it
in two, and experiment yourself with it
you will discover nothing. The secret
is mine, and no one else is likely to solve
it. ! trust ! have convinced you that |
am no impOstor, and you will find it
natural that | should desire to sell my Sc
cret to the Government for round sum.
1t is with this view that | ask your inter-
cession and assistance. My country is to
reap the first benefits of my discovery
though ultimately it must become public
property"
A pause followed. TWAS evident that
the experiments which they had wit
messed had left profound impression on
the minds of those present. They stood
on the threshold of one of natures great
est secrets; there was one among them
who had actually penetrated the secret,
and they themselves were perhaps soon
to become acquainted with it.
And what is the sum which you ask"
at last demanded Herr B.
g | cannot part with my secret for less
than three millions. Perhaps this strikes
some of you as an eXorbitant price. But
have you considered what the results of
applying my discovery will be? 1t will
revolutionize all our present economical
and social relations; it will enable us to
dispense with the thousands and thou
sands of steam-engines, and the million
Of hands which now are employed day by
day in hard manual toll will be won for
nobler, better work. The huge stone
which is hoisted with so much labor and
trouble to complete the tower of the Co.
logne Cathedral will fit up there like a
bird. There will no longer be need to
transport freight by railway. The prob
lem of aerial navigation will receive So
luton far more simple and easy than the
most sanguine balloonist could have ever
dared to hope. How many draught-
horses, you gentlemen of the army, do
you require at present to equip your ar
tillery? What is their cost? Compute
that sum, and then think of the small
will which places all your batteries in
| poSillN Is uOt VII az d ulOlnCuI . W al uluS
but at any given point of the frontier
menaced by an enemy. Consider further
that"
"Will you not at least inform US how
you happened to make this mysterious
discovery"
"Mysterious All, it is so simple that
any child may make it again; it is as plain
as day, and | constantly dread lest some
other man should tumble on the secret
and deprive me of its fruits. The secret
was discovered by the merest chance
while / was working in the foundries of
Wasseralfingen. After all, you will find
my demands reasonable. That am not
selfish will be seen from the fact that
| have fully described my discovery and
deposited it in safe place"
After a lengthy consultation it was
agreed on to form a select committee
which should give the matter further
consideration and intermediate between
Herr B. and the unknown, who still per-
sisted in refusing to divulge his name.
Thus far we have been able to relate
this story without reservations. Now,
however, a solemn promise constrains us
to omit certain particulars, Suffice it to
say, three other conferences were held
and that several persons high in authority
otfapdad them ThouUh tho nricn @ ed