Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-02-11
THE GLADSTONE BAG.


I had broakfasted with tho colonel AZ
his club one Of those droary. large e..
Establishments which remind YOU Of an
oyercrowded cemetery, whcro tho town.
ers Of Tho land gel Rich on their diyi.
bends. Outside II was rainy, damp and
misty; inside the members were regard.
ing each other with disdain and cnlcu-
latlng what effect the humidity OF thu
almo.phere would have ON tho yarnish
OF their patent leather boots.
"supposo We get out Of this" said the
Colonel briefly as he regarded tho street
from tho broad club window.
"Where tor said |.
"Paris," he said laconically.
"Done." said 1.
Aud then tho bag was ordered 20 be
packed and tho Journey began.
We left Waterloo station and We were
trying. like old sailors, to transform a
railroad compartment into a comforta-
bic smoking divan. II was then | first
noticed tho coloncl's Gladstone bag II
had been reposing peacefully In tho rack
above my head. and | threw 1t down In
hopes OF using II for pillow, Some
how II slipped and fell TO tho floor
Look QUIT" said tho colonel. "If
you dropped that bag year ago that
way ! wouldn't hayo given much for
your chances OF living; no, nor mine
either"
| saw then there was history In the
bag. ind said. "WhylT
at isn't long story. but may keep
you awake III tell you about It. Whom
left the army and returned homo from
India was not very well of. had
studied explosives In the east and some
one at tho club recommended mo TO
French company which had been for ned
about the Same timo toperfect now ex.
plosiye which, they were assured, would
be favorably considered by the war
Office. Tho salary was good and tho
subject interesting, 30 accepted their
offer.
IL established my laboratory outside
of Versailles and went TO work with
will. In nv experiments, however. |
found myself ali at once out Of nitro
glyccrin, which needed absolutely. |
wrote to the company. No dynamite to
be had. Then went up 10 tho French
war Office and saw the secretary. UO
was sorry, 30 very sorry, but at tho
present time, In the disturbed state Of
tho country, otc., he regretted that 1t
would. not be In his power to furnish
nitroglycerin 10 private persons. How
over. no would do whit no could. and ho
gave mo n letter 10 Colonel Maiendio.
chief Of explosives In London, who, lie
said. would surely honor my request.
"That night took the club train 10
London, aud next morning at 10 oclocl.
found mo at the chiefs office. 1 pre-
scented my letter and stated what |
wanted. The chief regarded me with
suspicion (you must rotnoinber Il was
during the dynamite scare in England
and tho more | explained tho less he be.
lieyed me. Various officers were intro.
duced, ono after tho other. for no other
purpose, 1 believe, than TO take down
my personal characteristics as "A profes.
sioual dynamiter.
"At last the chief said TINT In accord.
anco with articles GO md 40. sections
this nud that of tho Office rules he would
be reluctantly connelled To refuse INV
renuest.
aThon got tired.
~ told tho chief wnnted tho exnlo
sive and meant 10 get Il. But YOU
can't, said ho Il will snia .nnd
carry Il through London too, whether
YOU like IL or mo- Wen see said Ma
iendie. .You will see. said 1. and lefi
him.
"That night whom 1 walked home tc
NV ehambers felt rather DISCOURAGED
There was ten pounds OF nitroply.erir
which must have. and Lord only know,
how many peoplo Maiendie might put
IN the wny of INV securing II wan
dered about London aimlessly for ,
week, and at last when lust about Il
dospair, luck turned. Near Birmingham
heard n COMPANY had been formed h
work a mine and used explosiyes.
took the next train from London and
went there. There was n little yillnp,
near the place. and from Il 4 drove ON
10 the works. 4 shall never forget Il
xyba, 4 ,,,, 20 ,ha nina 1 80. a I,,,,,..,