The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-09-21
THE MAN IN BLACK.

Major Dalton was in trouble. He
had been detailed and sent to one of
the largest cities of the confederacy to
superintend the manufacture of bombs
and torpedoes.
Everything moved al 'ng satisfactori-
ly until the chemist connected with the
works made an experiment one day
and blew himself up. The force of
the explosion was so great that not
piece of the unfortunate man could
be found.
81 wouldn't have minded it so
much" said the major to his friend,
the provost marshal, 'if the fellow
hadn't carried off lot of valuable
papers with him. He knew lots of
chemical secrets, and he had his for
mulas written out, and they were in his
pocket when he left
"You might advertise suggested
| the provost marshal.
"Good idea, replied the major. 81
will do it."
The next morning the city papers
contained small advertisement stat
ing that first class chemist could Sc
cure employment, at good salary, at
the government works.
At the time there were very few idle
chemists in the confederaoy, and after
waiting several days the major began
to think he would have to send up to
Richmond for man.
One night, when he was alone in his
office, he commenced a letter to the
secretary of war He had just penued
a request for the detail of an expert
enced expert, when be became con.
scious of the presence Of another per-
son in the room.
81 didn't see him, and / didn't hear
him" said Che maj or, afterward, "but
l could feel my flesh crawl, and knew
something was up"
The major wheeled around in his
chair and saw man standing just in
side the door. The stranger was tall
and thin and his black suit contrasted
strangely with his pale face and white
hands.
Major Dalton noted these points.
In addition to his black attire, the
mans hair and eyes were of the same
somber shade. He even wore black
watch chain, a pair of back-rimmed
eye. glasses, and black seal ring.
The officer gave sharp look at his
visitors face, but its dead whiteness
was as expressionless as mask.
"Aheml' calculated the major.
81 must introduce myself" said the
stranger, stepping forward. "My
name is Pellico. am a chemist, and
| am familiar with the manufacture OF
explosives. l saw your advertisement
and decided to offer my services"
He spoke rapidly, in musical voice
with slight foreign accent.
"You are no American?" said the
major.
''Italian,' briefly responded the other
q belong to family of famous chem
lists, and we have served nearly every
government in Europe"
Just then the major remembered
that he had sentry stationedsin front
of the Office.
"Confound it sir!" he broke out
angrily, show did you get in?"
Il beg your pardon" answered
Pellico courteously. "When your Of
flee was pointed out to me l walked
in"
"But the sentry, the guard?"
"Oh, the soldier, I simply passed hin
by"
"You ran a great risk of being shot,
growled the major.
"Not at ALI there was no danger,
was the quiet reply.
Pellicos manner impressed the Off
Ger, and ne asked his visitor for hil
credentials
The man in black produced lette
of recommendation from a Spanisf
!. officer of high rank in Cuba.
$50 you have not been long in thi
country" remarked the confederate.
"Ten days. l slipped through th'
) blockaders, landed in Florida, and thel
came here"
Further conversation did not caus
him to say anything that was inconsis
tent with the first account of himself
The interview resulted in the en-
gagement Of Pellico, and on the fol
lowing morning he went to work.
From the very outset the man il
black gave perfect satisfaction, but h
made no friends The men called hin
i, "Mr. Midnight" and the officers quiet
I ly agreed among themselves that h
! was mystery, very useful, no doubt
!, but a disagreeable companion.
!; 1t did not take long to make the dis
g covery that the Italians bombs an,
Q torpedoes were the best that had eve
[ been made.
One night Pellico paid another visi
Q to the office of Maj Dalton.
5 "Major," said he after some tall
about powder, gun cotton, Greek fire
and other matters, "the main object o
J our explosives is to destroy the enemy?
"Um! we'll yes, to certain extent,
replied the gallant confederate.
tWhat do you think then of boml
that is capable of doing hundredfol,
more damage than any now in use?'
at would be big thing"
"Well," continued Pellico, 81 hav
invented it. have a chemical com
pound that can be projected into tn
euemys line through the medium of
shell, and when the shell bursts,a "a dead
ly vapor spreads over an area of 1O
yards, killing every living thing. On
shell is capable of killing an entir
regiment
"Why, my God, man, exclaime
the major, that would be murder!'
!, "And what is war;" asked Pellicc
in his low, soft voice.
The subject did not drop there. TIL
man in black had so much to say abou
his invention that the major foun,
himself deeply interested.
"rhis little thing said Pellico, eS
hibiting something that looked like
pill covered with tinfoil, "would kill
houseful of people
ut is hard to believe
"Let me convince you," urged tn
chemist. "If you will walk squar
| with me- I will show Won somathino