The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-09-24
MY EXCURSION TO MARS.
BY cHAs. r. WOODS.

ing the fragrance Of fine imported cigar MY VIII
dow stood open and occasionally gentle breeze
delightfully."- refreshing after the labos oil the uay'
was waited through the room. The little CLOCK
upon the mantle had proclaimed the eleventh hour
and the hum of the busy little city was rapidly SUD
siding into quiet had cast aside the musiy vol
umes. with which had been occupied ior seVeral
hours previous and was lazily peruSing seVeral Oh
the daily newspapers which. hitherto during the
day had not found time 10 read. found qulte
number of articles in reference to the Planet Mars
some of which were very entertaining. ! became
interested in comparing the different theories ad-
yaneed by the astronomers and would-be scientists
Some of these theories very reasonable, WINE
Others were so absurd as to be really amusing.
While sitting thus. alternately reading and doz-
ing. was suddenly aroused by knock at the outer
front door Wondering, in my mind VINO could
have any business with me at such Il late hour' !
arose somewhat impatienlly, and wended my way
down through the dimly lighted hall. AS thre"
open the hall door peculiar specimen oil huHahlty
presented itself to nv startled gaze 1t was tall,
loosely ointed man. whose appearance at hrst slBh'
suggested an idea of something uncanny or strange
He was sbabbily attired in a threadbare Prince
Albert coat, which had evidently been intended for
much larger man. His pantaloOns which, Judg-
ing from appearances had seen many seasons oil
unrest since leaving their native home at the taOr $
hung loosely about his shrunken limbs and Valhly
endeavored to reach the tops of his worn SHOES
Upon his head he wore battered SILK nat oil an MI
cient pattern His face. which was cleanshaven'
was peculiar one. indeed. Deep lines about the
mouth and eyes seemed to indicate care and anxiety
while his deep-set eyes cleaned with look oil intel
lgence utterly out of keeping with the rest oil inc
man. well Sir" said |, gradually recovering from
the momentary surprise his sudden coming had
occasioned, what can do for you? Il wish 10 see
Mr.. Kane. whom. understand lives here he re-
plied." Il am Mr. Kane at your service, Sir" an
swered Whom have 1 the honor To address
MY name, Sir is Joshua Darrell. wish to have a
private interview with you in reference to some
thing think will greatly interest you
Scarcely knowing what else to do, yet not with
ont feeling of suspicion and dissatisfaction IN
yited him to come with me into my office After
placing chair for him and Offering him cigar
which he eagerly accepted, announced my readi-
ness TO hear what he had to say.
Il have learned" he said that you are man Ol
strong opinion, aud that once believing in any
theory, you never fear to defend ana advocate tae
theory. also know that you greatly interested
in ANYTHING which has tendency TO enliShten the
the race by unfolding natures undiscovered truths
aud wonders
"Is this man a wizard ?" asked myself that he
ran so faithfully portray my characteristics.
81 NV friend" he continued, "am an astronomer
and an inventor. | have pursued my Investigations
deeply and my studies have occupied many toll
some years. This explains why | am so shabbily
alfred since my researches necessitated the eXpcnd-
iture of all my finances in making experiments and
constructing machines"
| shrewdly began to suspect what Mr. Darrell de
sired, but ere could say anything he resumed.
My object in coming here is not 10 ask pecuniary
aid as you may apprehend but for an entirely dIi-
ferent purpose. have formulateda plan, which, II
successfully put in operation and successfully hc-
complished. will not only be ofinesmable value TO
scientists in the way Conformation but VIII at The
same time render the participants in the plan
famous in the eyes oftwo worlds. What need and
must have is some of dauntess COURAGE to assist
me in the enterprise who is not afraid to face
danger, doubt aud criticism without hesitation.
He paused as though to notice what effect his
words had had upon me. determined TO appear
very much unconcerned in the matter, yet, ] con
fess felt a strange curiosity to know what my Wis
itor was thinking upon. well, Sir, do you wish TO
communicate your ideas 10 me-" queried.
Il do, Sir upon certain conditions" he replied.
Il desire to make known my scheme TO you, and.
ifpossible secure you a co partner in my under
taking but you find yourself unwilling to aid me-
| wish you to keep my ideas entirely secret for ii
they were to become known someone might try to
profit by my labor and deprive me of the opportu-
nifty of carrying my venture To asuccesful termina-
ton"
In spite my efforts TO be disinterested ielt my
self almost irresistably drawn by this strange man
and his mysterious talk, and had desire TO hear
the secret he seemed so anxious 10 guard. After a
moments thought said to him You may trust
me with your secret and if consider your scheme
reasonable l will enter into it with you, but if it
should appear impractcable will not promise to
aid you" At these words his eyes lit mp with a
CLEAN of satisfaction as he said:
II thank you, Sir believe you will enter INTO
my plans which / now propose to unfold. am
about to make an experimental trip to the Planet
Mars which is nearer planet at the present time
than it will be i for number of years. Now.
what wish is fol on TO accompany me-.
Twas amazed at such proposition and began to
think was conversing with mailman. But my
dear Sir" exclaimed, "how. on Earth or Mars
either is such thing TO be accomplished! ltwould
he a superhumau feat aud one, which l am sure, is
an impossibility. such journey would require a
machine for transportation such as human genius
has never even dreamed of and which will never
he constructed"
Are you so sure Of that?' my more than ever
mysterious friend asked while a triumphant smile
played upon his wrinkled countenance. Follow
me he cried, exultantly and will show you some
thing which human eyes other than my own have
never gazed upon.
His strange manner had peculiarly fascinating
effect upon me, and, losing my self'control com
pletey followed him, regardless of consequences.
We walked down the stairway, through the dark
hall and out the front door. He led the way
up through the silent deserted street. undisturbed
by any sound save the melancholy boot Of some
a..,, nf,,f raai in M M
his nightly repast or the soul-inspiring strains OF
some belated feline orchestra. We walked for sew
eral squares and finally entered low, dark tenc-
ment house in an out OF the way part of the street
NV companion after closing the door carefully be-
mind us cautioned me to make as little noise as pos
sible After passing through harrow hallway
lighted only by a dim spluttering oil lamp, we en-
tered room so dark that not ray of light from The
hall penetrated the inky blackness. My mysterious
friend again closed the door after us. and striking
match he lighted torch which was suspended
from nail In Que corner of the room. Before me
upon large table lay beautiful globe about eight
feet in diameter. Its surface was covered with q
gloss and was highly polished that il fairly daz
zled the eyes of the beEolder
This machine" said Mr.. Darrell, lis one of the
most remarkable productions Of mechanical ar
ever constructed by tine hand of man. l. Sir, an
chine. With it 1t will be possible for us TO make
successful journey TO our neighboring world, Mars
Do not ask me, Sir to enter into All explanation o
the intricate machinery contained within its curved
surface or to explain the complicated system o
motion involved, for you would only be able Il
understand it after years of careful study and inyes
tigaton, such as have been engaged in daring tht
past had calculated when the Earth and Mar
would be the closest together in 1892, and sroye
have my motor ready for the event. The time ha'
arrived and my machine Is complete.
How long will it take TO make the journey
inquired, rather obviously.
"If we enter this vessel at eleven O'Clock tomorrow
night we will be enabled to land in Marsland a
eight O'Clock the next morning. Ifyou accompany
me you will not be required to do anything but res
quietly in the machine. will take full charge my
fand see to the navigation through space Now
the question is will you go? must know immedi
ately for in case you refuse to go ] must secure
some one else more courageous"
remained quiet for few moments. hardly know
ing what to say. However thought to myself