The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1892-02-06
THE GLADSTONE BAG,

| had breakfasted with the colonel at
his club, one of those dreary, large
establishments which remind you OF an
overcrowded cemetery, where the
owners Of the land get rich on their
dividends. Outside it was raInv, damp
and misty inside the members w,re
regarding each other with dlsdain and
calculating what effect the humidity of
the atmosphere would have on the
varnlsh OF their patent leather boots.
Suppose we get out of t1is, said the
Colonel briefly as he regarded the
street from the broad club window.
Where to? said |.
Fans, he said laconicalIy.
Done, said |.
And then the bag was ordered 10
be packed and the journey began.
We left Waterloo station a1d we
were trying, like old sailors, to trans
form railroad compartment into a
comfortable smoking divan. II was
then | first noticed the colonels Glad
stone bag. 1t had been reposing
peacefully in the rack above my head,
and threw it down in hopes Of using
lt.for a pillow, Somehow 1t slipped
and fell to the floor.
Look out SAID the colonel. If you
dropped ina. bag year ago that way
wouldn't have given much for your
chances Of living no, nor mine either.
saw then there was a history in the
bag, and SAID, Why2
Ii isn't long story, but may keep
you awake. I'll tell you about 1t. When
| left the army and returned home
from India l was not very well off. l
had studied explosives in the east and
some one at the club recommended
me to a French company which had
been formed about the same time to
perfect new explosive which, they
were assured, would be favorably con-
sidered by the war office. The salary
was good and the subject interesting,
SO l accepted their offer.
l established my laboratory outside
of Versailles and went to work with
will. In my experiments, however, |
found myself all at once out of nitro
glycerip, which ! needed absolutely. |
wrote to the company. No dynamite
to be had. Then | went up to the
French war office and saw the secre-
tarY. He was sorry, SO very sorry, but
at the present time, in the disturbed
state of the country, etc, he regretted
that It would not be in his power to
furnish nltrcgIycenn to private per-
sons. However, he would do what
he could, and he gave me a letter to
Colonel Majendie, chief Of explosives
in London, who, he said, would surely
honor my request.
That night l took the club train to
London, and next morning at 10
O'Clock found me at The chiefs office.
| presented 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 he
believed me. Various officers were
introduced, one after the other, for no
other purpose, believe, than to take
down my personal characteristics as a
professional dynamiter.
At last the chief said that, in accord
ance with articles so and so, sections
this and that of the office rules, he
would reluctantly compelled to re-
fuse my request
Then | got tired.
told the chief wanted the explo-
sive and meant 10 get it. But you
can't said he. will, said |, and carry
it through London too, whether you
like it or no. Wen see, said Ma
-. 'ss,s..,,.....,s ! - saIa y anu |