Connecticut western news., 1893-12-21


 trains start from Liverpool at noon, the voyager can disembark in this station at 9:34 in the forenoon-that is to say, all most three hours before he started from the English side"
 I knew not what to think. Was l talking with an insane personi Should I have faith in these fabulous theories?
 We'll ' said I, "it may be so. l will assume it to be true that. your in- when you come to stop, to suddenly ar rest this rapid motion, will not every thing be shattered?"
 By no means" responded the colo nel, struggling his shoulders. Between our tubes, one of which serves to go and the other to return, and running in opposite currents of air, communi- cation exists upon each side. When a train approaches, we are made aware of the fact by electric sparks, and by means of electricity the force that pushes the train is paralyzed. Left to itself, the train continues on its way from the momentum already acquired, and by means of valve which connects with current the speed becomes gradually slower, until the train is finally check ed by coming in contact with huge bumper, the shock being scarcely felt. But what good are all these explana- tionsp The only way to know the ac- tual working is by experience.
 And without waiting for me to re- spond Colonel Pierce drew out sudden ly handle of polished copper from the side of one of the tubes. A panel run ming upons grooves was thrown open, and through the aperture saw suc- cession of narrow benches upon each of which two persons were seated side by side.
 "The pneumatic carriage" explain ed the colonel. .Let us depart. Come. '"
 I followed him obediently, and the panel was immediately closed. By means of an Edison lamp which hung from the center of the carriage I exam ined curiously the place in which l found myself. Nothing could be more simple. A long cylinder, comfortably padded, across which were 50 armcha1rs bound together in pairs, arranged in parallel rows. At each end a valve regulated the condition of the atmos- phere, that in the rear permitting the air to penetrate the cylinder, while that in front gave egress to that which had become impure.
 Some little time passed while l was making my examination, and becom- ing somewhat impatient said:
 Well, colonel, why do we not start?"
 s'Start? We started some time ago, !" replied my guide.
 Was it possible? Could we be en route? Was it really true? I listened attentively, trying to hear some noise which would give evidence of motion. If we had really started, if the colonel had not deceived me in talking about 1900 miles an hour, we ought to be far from land under the pillows of the ocean. Above our heads the crested waves may be beating against each other with fury, are perhaps even at this moment taking us for monstrous serpent of an unknown species. The whales are striking their powerful tails against our long iron prison house.
 But I heard nothing, only sort of dull, scarcely perceptible buzzing. and plunged in state of unbounded aston ishment and not able to believe in the reality of what was happening 1 be- came silent as the time went by.
 Nearly an hour passed thus, when l suddenly felt dampness upon my forehead, which awoke me from the torpor into which I was fast falling. carried my hand to my face. It was wet. Wetl What lad happened2 Had the tube burst under the immense pres sure of the water, pressure which must be formidable since we were at such an immense depth. Should we be swallowed up by the ocean? A great fear took possession of me. Bewildered and almost desperate, l en- deavored to cry out in my agony.
 And I found myself in my own gar den generously sprinkled by a pelting rain, of which the large drops had in terupted my sleep.
 I had gone to sleep upon rustic bench while perusing an article written by Boston reporter, setting forth the fantastic projects of Colonel Pierce, who fear will never meet with the realization of his absurd pes.-Julet Verne.