The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1892-02-13
THE GLADSTONE BAG

i III UlLAlJO1ONE " DAU.
had breakfasted with the colonel at
his club, one Of those dreary, large es-
tablishmonts which remind you of an
oyercrowded 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 ont Of this" said the
Colonel briefly as he regarded the street
from the broad club window
"Where tor said l.
Paris, he said lacouically.
Done" said l.
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 a comforta-
BILE smoking divan 1t was then | first
noticed the colonel's Gladstone bag. 1t
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
"Look outl" 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, "Whyf'
at isn't long story, but may keep
you awake. I'll tell you about it, When
left the army and returned home from
India | was not very well off 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 toperfect new ex-
plosive which, they were assured, would
be favorably 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 a
will. In my experiments, however,
found myself all at once out Of nitro
glycerin, which needed absolutely.
wrote to the company. No dynamite to
be 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 the disturbed state OF
the country, ETC., he regretted that ii
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 10
London, and next morning at 10 O'Clock
found me at the chiefs Office. Pre-.
sented my letter and stated what !
wanted. Tho chief regarded me with
suspicion (you must remember it was
during the dynamite scare in England),
and the moro explained the less he be-
heved 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.
"At 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.
81 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.
jendie. You will see, said /, and left
/ him.
"That night when / walked home to
my chambers / felt rather discouraged.
There was ten pounds of nitroglyceril
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 to
despair, luck turned. Near Birmingham
heard a company had been formed to
work a mine and used explosives.
took the next train from London and
went there. There was a little village
near the place, and from 1t / drove out
to the works I shall never forget it.
/ When | got to the mine l met a hungry
looking man, who asked me roughly
| what / wanted saw he was the Der.
son l was after
"'Come one side, 1 said
"'You use dynamite hereY
"'Yes, for explosives
"'Do you want e20P
"sYes
Then get me ten pounds Of nitro
glycerin il you can
81 gave him the money and he put it
in his pocket.
/" Wait here, was all he said.
THAT evening drove back to the lit
tie country hotel with my treasure in
the Gladstone bag. put it in tho room,
locked the 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 the
train for London with my precious
cargo At London It took but a short
time TO rush into a 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
/ began to doze after the train started.
Suddenly looked up A fellow pas
senger had seized the bag and was
about 10 throw it to the floor 10 make
room for some Of his own luggage.
/ f.uel-f1r 1 rafraT - IL, time 10 1 h,l.ft