The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-07-26
A GREAT DISCOVERY.

"Wanted-A gentleman possessing val
uable secret desires to meet party OF
means possessing some astronomical
knowledge and willing to spend s5, 900 In
carrying out new and valuable expert
ment. Address Murray, care Clark 81
Co., bankers, from o. m. to 12 m"
As ate my breakfast found I was
mentally comparing myself with the quail
iflcations In The Times, and with tho
gratifying % result that found I filed
the description.
Gratifyingp Yes, very. Here I was,
of wealth and dircful dearth Of means Of
amusement. DO you wonder, then. that
this strange advertisement should have
fascination for meY
AS wended my way to tho Office OF
Clark & Co. thoughts OF possible gold
bricks and buncombe games fitted idly
through my head, but / was endowed
with liberal supply Of egotism, and
hardly gave them consideration.
AS inquired of q clerk ut Clark e. Co. 3
for Murray fapcied detected a floeting
smile Of curiosity GROSS his face, but ! was
quietly ushered into an inner office, where
found myself confronted by finely built
young man Of about 85, who cordially ex-
tended his hand as no read my card.
Mr.. Hoffman, am pleased 10 meet you,
for I have known you long by reputation.
Be seated. My name Is Murray, Mr..
Hoffman - Gordon Murray and I pre-
sumo you desired to soc me regarding my
advertisement in The Times?'
assented.
~ thought as much. But first, Mr..
Hoffman, presume you are willing to
sink $5, 900 in an experiment that will not
yield any cash dividends? Good! Mr..
Hoffman, before we proceed further l
must enjoin on you promise Of the strict
est confidence In case you decide against
me. II you decide for me my secret be-
comes yours. and your discretion must be
your dictator"
"Mr. Murray, you have my word OF
honor as a gentleman" replied.
"Thank you, Mr.. Hoffman. am ply
sician of moderate practice and more mod
crate income and with strong inclina
tion for tho study Of astronomy and chem
istry. In my study Of the former have
had great and pervading desire to inves-
tigate the sun, and toward that end all my
energies have been directed, with the re-
suit that have discovered a chemical
preparation which, inserted between the
glasses Of an ordinary aStropomical tele-
scope, will increase its power more than
ten times and at the same time will so
neutralize the brilliancy of the suns rays
as to make 1t perfectly easy to search tho
surface of the planet.
"Now, Mr.. Hoffman, this appears as a
wild and fantastical assertion, but know
this from experience with a small hand
telescope, and am only prevented from
putting my theory more strongly to the
test by lack Of funds to obtain such an in
strument as I wish, and it is for this 1 de-
sire to meet man willing to fund the ex-
pertinent"
For several minutes after DR.. Murray
ceased speaking sat astounded at the
boldness OF the assertion and yet con-
vinced that the man before me spoke the
truth.
looked again, rather anxiously, will
admit, at the dark, thoughtful face to sec
IL I could detect any signs Of insanity.
Far from it, Never was there more sane
looking individual. Absurd as the idea ap-
peared, yet it fascinated me, and the more
thought the more enthusiastic became.
"Well, Mr.. Hoffman, do you consider
me fool or a crank or both?'
started at the words, to find DR.. Muir
ray gazing at me with quiet look of
amusement in his eyes.
"Neither, doctor, neither. But I pre-
sumo you are prepared to furnish me some
proof of your sincerity?" queried.
Certainly, sir. Would Mr.. Clark of
this firm sufficeP''
"His word would be satisfactory" re-
piled.
"Then, Mr.. Hoffman, beg to refer you
to him. And, pardon me, but when may
I expect an answer? / should desire to
settle the matter at an early date, so that
the apparatus could be ready by the 22d Of
-, on which day, you know, the sun
makes Its nearest approach to tho earth"
"You may have my answer in ten min
utes II Mr.. Clark Is in," replied.
He Is ut present in his private office.
Allow me to show you the way. Mr..
Clark, may l present Mr.. Hoffman, who
desires to question you regarding myself!
Mr. HOFFMAN, will await you In the out
or office" And DIR. Murray silently left me
with Mr.. Clark.
"Mr. Clark" began, "hem-er-er-
you-er-undoubtedly know something of
the nature Of my business with DIR. Muir.
ray"
II do, Mr.. Hoffman,"
bis character and convictions?" I asked.
"Mr. Hoffman, have known DIR. Muir
ray all his life, and consider him man
above board In his character and views"
"Thank you, Mr.. Clark. believe that
Is oil care to know" And bowed my
self from the office, to find myself face to
face with DIR. Murray, who was nervously
pacing tho outer Office. AS approached
he gazcd anxiously into my face.
"Dr. Murray" I said, "whilo your
scheme appears very chimorical, yet 1 am
disposed to believe In IL. What do you
propose To doy'
"To obtain rs large telescope as prao-
ticai and have the necessary changes made
I'm it, then take 10 To- R and sct it up
ready for tho 22d, he answered.
Can such an instrument as you desire
bo obtained soon cnoughS" asked.
81 know Of AN oxccllont instrument that
van be purchased for 80, 900, and tho Dccos-
3 @ry changes can bo mado I'm about "a
week."
"Thch. doctor, ann prepared 10 back
the cntorprisp. I will arrauue with nv