The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1893-11-03
THE GLADSTONE BAG

Air S'hu' oHo VI uhVnc uicdly, large Us
Establishments which remind you Of an
overcrowded cemetery, where the iown-
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 to-" said |.
Paris, he said laconically.
Dome" 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
railroad compartment into comforta-
BILE smoking divan II was then | first
noticed the colonels Gladstone bag, II
had been reposing peacefully in the rack
above my head, and | threw il down in
hopes Of using it for pillow Some
how it Slipped and fell to the floor
Look out" said the colonel 1T
you dropped that bag n 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, Why"
III isn't a 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
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.
Il established my laboratory outside
of Versailles and went TO work with
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, 30 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 be could, and he
gave me 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 Mt the chiefs office pre-
sented my letter and stated what !
wanted. The chief regarded me with
suspicion (you must remember il was
during the dynamite scare in England,
and the more 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
anoe with articles 80 and 30, sections
this and that Of the office rules, he would
be reluctantly compelled to refuse my
request.
''Then ! got tired.
Il told the chief wanted the explo-
sive and meant TO get it. But you
can't, said he. i will, said |, and
carry II through London too. whether
you like it or no. Well see, said Ma
jendie You will see. said l. aud | 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 q
week, and at last. when just about to
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, | saw he was the per
son was after.
"'Come one side,' said
"'You use dynamite herer
"'Ye, for explosives
ado you want a20Y
"Yes.
"Then get me ton pounds Of nitro
glycerin II you can.
II gave him the money and he put It
in his pocket.
"'Wait here was all he said.
"That evening drove back 10 the lit
tie country hotel with my treasure in