Los Angeles herald., 1892-02-06
THE GLADSTONE BAG.

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] had breakfasted with the colonel at
his club, one of those dreary, large es-
tablishments which remind you of an
overcrowded cemetery, where the town.
ers Of the Land get rich on their divi-
dends. Outside it was 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 varnish
Of their patent leather boots.
Suppose we get out of this" said the
Colonel briefly as he regarded the street
from the broad club window.
"Where tor said !.
sParis," he said laconically.
"Done," said 1.
And then the bag was ordered to be
packed and the journey began.
We left Waterloo station and we were
trying, like old sailors, to transform a
railroad compartment into comforta-
BILE smoking divan. It was then I first
noticed the coloners Gladstone bag. It
had been reposing peacefully in the rack
above my head, and threw it down in
hopes of using it for a pillow. Some
how it slipped and fell to the floor.
'sLook outl" said the colonel. eff
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 o history in the
bag, and said, "Why?'
g''It isn't long story, but may keep
you awake. I'll tell you about it. When
I left the army and returned home from
India / was not very well off. I 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 ex-
plosive which, they were assured, would
be favorably considered by the war
Office. The salary was good and the
subject interesting, SO I accepted their
offer.
II established my laboratory outside
Of Versailles and went to work with a
will. In my experiments, however, I
found myself all at once out of nitro
glycsrin, which l needed absolutely. I
wrote to the company. No dynamite to
be had. Then went up to the French
war Office and saw the secretary He
was sorry, 30 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
nitroglycerin to private persons. How
ever, 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 ! took the club train to
London, and next morning at 10 o'clock
found me at the chiefs Office. Ipre-
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 I explained the less he be-
ieved me. Various officers were intro
duced, one after the other, for no other
purpose, believe, than to take down
my personal characteristics as profes-
sional dynamiter.
ssAt last the chief said that, in accord
ance with articles so and so, sections
this and that Of the Office rules, he would
be reluctantly compelled to refuse my
request.
'Then got tired.
II told the chief wanted the explo
sive and meant to get it. But you
can't said he. 4 WILL said I, 'and
carry it through London too, whether
You Like it or no. Well see,' said Ma
jendie. You will see,' said I, and I left
him.
"That night when walked home to
my chambers / felt rather discouraged.
There was ten pounds of nitroglycerin
which must have, and Lord only knows
how many people Majendie might put
in the way Of my securing it. wan
dered about London aimlessly for a
week, and at last, when just about tc
despair, luck turned. Near Birmingham
/ heard company had been formed to
work mine and used explosives.
took the next train from London and
went there. There was little village
near the place, and from it drove out
to the works. shall never forget it.
When ! got to the mine met hungry
looking man, who asked me roughly
what ! wanted. I saw he was the per.
son was after.
"sCome one side,' said.
"sYou use dynamite here?
"sYes, for explosives
"sDo you want EGO?
"eYes.'
"sThen get me ten pounds of nitro
glycerin if you can.'
II gave him the money and he put il
in bis pocket.
"fWait here,' was all he said.
'sThat evening drove back to the lit
tie country hotel with my treasure in
the Gladstone bag. put it in the room,
locked the door and slept outside, for
/ knew the fumes of the nitric acid
would escape through the bag. In the
morning l got up early and took the
train for London with my precious
cargo. At London it took but 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. The carriage was crowded, and