Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-01-23
THE GLADSTONE BAG.

1 had brca kfasted with the colonel III
his club. one of those dreary. large es-
tablshmcnts which remind you OF an
oyercrowdcd cemetery, where the sown-
ers OF the land get rich on their divi.
dends. Outside it wac rainy. damp and
misty: inside the members were regard
ing each other with disdain and calcu-
lating what effect the humidity Of the
atmosphere would have on the yarTiish
( of their patent ieather boots.
Suppose we get out Of this" said the
Colonel briefly as he regarded the stree,
from the broad club window.
Where to" said /,
Paris" he said laconically..
Done said |.
/ And then the bag was ordered to be
packed and tho journey began.
We left Waterloo station and wo were
trying, like old sailors, 10 transform q
! railroad compartment into a comforta-
! bio smoking divan. II was then | first
noticed the colouols Gladstone bag. II
/ had been rcposing peacefully IN the rack
above nay head, AMI throw il down in
| hopes cf using II for pillow. Some
how II slipped and fell TO the floor
Look out" said the colonel IF
you dropped that bag year ago that
way wouldn't have given much for
your chances Of living; no, nor mine
either
saw then there was history in the
bag, and said, why"
ut isn't a long story. but may keep
you awake I'll tell YOU about il. When
left the army and returned home from
india ! was not very well off. | had
studied explosives in the east and some
one nt tho club recommended me to a
French company which had been formed
about the saino time toperfect new ex-
plosivo which. they were assured. would
be fayorably considered by the war
Office The salary was good and the
subject interesting, so ] accepted their
offer.
81 established my laboratory outside
Of Versailles and went to work with q
will. In my experiments, however,
found myself all at once out Of nitro
glycerin, which needed absolutely. l
wrote to the company. No dynamite to
DO had. Then went up TO the French
war Office and saw the secretary. he
was sorry, so very sorry, but at the
present time. in tho disturbed state Of
tho country. etc. ho regretted that 1t
would not be in his power to furnish
nitroglycerin 10 private persons. How
ever, ho would do what he could, and he
gave me letter TO Colonel Majendie,
chief OF explosives in London. who, he
aaid, would surely honor my request.
"That night | took tho club train TO
London and next morning at 10 o'clock
found no at the chiefs Office. pre-
sented my letter and stated what !
wanted The chief regarded me with
suspicion (you must remember it was
during the dynamite scare in England),
and the more explained the less ho be-
ieved Inc. Various officers were intro
duced, one after the other, for no other
purpose. believe. than 10 take down
my personal characteristics as n profes-
sional dynamiter.
AT last the chief aid tAat. in accord
ance with articles ~ aGd so, sections
this and that Of the office rules. he would
be reluctantly compelled to refuse my
request.
"Thcn got tired.
II told the chief wanted the explo-
sive and meant to get it. But You
can't said he. 1 will. said !, and
carry it through London too. whether
you like it or no. Well see. said Ma
jsndie. You will see,' said |. and left
him.
THAT night when walked homo to
ny chambers fel. rather discouraged.
There was ton pounds Of nitroglycerin
which must have, and Lord only knows
how many people Majcndio might put
in the way OF my securing il. | wan
dered about London aimlessly for a
week, and at last, when Just abOnt TO
despair, luck turned. Near Birmingham
heard company had becn formed TO
work a mine and used explosives.
took tho next train from London aud
went there. There was little village
near the place, and from it drove out
to the works. shall never forget il.
When got to the mine | met hungry
looking man. who asked me roughly
what wanted saw he was the per-
son | was after.
"'Come one side, said
"'You use dynamite here
"'Yes. for explosives
"'Do you want s90'
"sYes'
"'Theu get me ten pounds Of nitro
Slycerin il you can
al gave him the moDcy md he put 1t
In his pocket,
"'Wait here was al DO said.
That evening drove back TO the lit
tie country hotel with my treasure in
the Gladstone bag. put il in the room.
locked tho door and slept outside, for
| knew the fumes Of the nitric acid
would escape through the bag. In the
morning got up early and took tho
train for London with my precious
cargo At London it took but "A short
time TO rush into compartment Of the
Paris express, which Was just departing
Here my real trouble began. put
my precious bag on the frame in front
OF me. Tho carriage was crowded. and
began TO dozc after the train started
Suddenly looked up \ fellow pas
senger had seized the bag and was
about to throw it TO the floor to make
room for some Of his own luggage.
Luckily seized it in time Ii hadn't
well. wouldn't hsvc been here now
/ 20 tylI .la