The herald., 1898-02-13

|
II think" said one of the deputies
ers of the instrument, without a tech
nical explanation of its method OF
working, will suffice for our purpose. -
This suggestion was Immediately ap.
proved. In response to it, Mr.. Edison
by few simple experiments, showed
how he could quickly and certainly
Shatter into its constituent atoms any
object upon which the vbratory force
of the disintegrator should be direct
ed In this manner he caused an ink
stand TO disappear under the very nose
of the Emperor William without 4
spot of ink being scattered upon his
sacred person, but evidently the odor
of the disunited atoms was not agree
able to the nostrils of the Kaiser.
Mr.. Edison also explained in general
terms the principle on which the in
strument worked. He was greeted
with round after round of applause,
and the spirit of the assembly rose
high.
Next, the workings of the electrical
ship We're explained and it was an
nounced that after the meeting had
adjourned an exhibition of the flying
powers of the ship would be given in
the open air.
These experiments, together with the
accompanying explanations, added to
what had already been disseminated
through the public press, We're quite
sufficient to convince all the represen-
tatives who had assembled in Wash
ington that the problem of how to con-
quer the Martians had been solved.
The means were plainly at hand. 1t
only remained to apply them. For this
purpose, as the President had pointed
out, it would be necessary to raise
very large sum of money.
How much will be needed" asked
one of the English representatives
"At least ten thousand millions OF
dollars" replied the President
1T would be safer" said a senator
from the Pacific coast. 'to, make it
twenty-five thousand millions"
Il suggest said the King of Italy.
that the nations be called in alphabet
ical order and that the representatives
of each name a sum which it is ready
and able to contribute"
II shall not follow the alphabet
strictly" said the President, "but
shall begin with the larger nations
first. Perhaps, under the circumstances.
it is proper that the United States
should lead the way. Mr.. Secretary"
he continued. turning to the Secretary
of the Treasury, chow much can we
stand?"
''At least thousand Millions" re-
piled the Secretary of the Treasury.
A roar of applause that shook the
room burst from the assembly. Even
some of the monarchs threw up their
hats.
The President then proceeded to call
the other nations, beginning with
Austria Hungary and ending with
Zanzibar. whose Sultan. Hamoud bin
Mahomed, had come to the congress in
the escort of Queen Victoria. Each
contributed literally.
Germany, coming in alphabetical or
der just before Great Britain. had
named. through the Chancellor, the
sum of $500 900, 900, but when the First
Lord of the British Treasury. not wish
ing to be behind the United States,
named double that sum as the contri-
button of the British Empire, the En-
peror William looked displeased. He
spoke a word in the ear of the Chan
cellor, who Immediately raised his
hand.
1--WE will give a thousand million dol
lars" said the Chancellor.
Queen Victoria seemed surprised
though not displeased. The First Lord
of the Treasury met her eye, and then,
rising in his place, said:
Make it fifteen hundred million for
Great Britain
Emperor William consulted again
with his Chancellor, but evidently con-
cluded not to raise his bid.
But at any rate the fund had bena-
fitted to the amount of a thousand mill
lions by this little outburst of imperial
rivalry.
The grea test surprise of ALL however,
came when the King of Siam was called
upon for his contribution. He had not
been given a foremost place in the con-
gress, but when the name of his coun-
try was pronounced he rose from his
chair, dressed in gorgeous specimen
of the peculiar attire of his country,
then slowly pushed his way to the
front, stepped up to the Presidents
desk and deposited on it small box.
This is our contribution" he said, in
broken English.
The cover was lifted and there dart
ed shimmering in the half gloom of the
Chamber, a burst of iridescence from
the box.
"My friends of the Western world
continued the King of Siam, Twill be
interested in seeing this gem. Only
once before has the eye of European
been blessed with a sight of it. Your
books will tell you that in the seven
teenth century traveller Tavernier,
saw in India an unmatched diamond
which afterward disappeared like
meteor and was thought to have been
lost from the earth. You all know the
name of that diamond and its history
1t is the Great Mogul. and it lies before
you. How it came into my possession
7 shall not explain. At any rate, it is
honestly mine, and I freely contribute
it here to aid in protecting my native
planet against those enemies who ap-
pear determined to destroy it"
When the excitement which the ap-
pearance of this long-lost treasure,
that had been the subject of so many
romances and of such long and fruit
less search had subsded, the President
continued calling the list, until he had
completed it.
Upon taking the sum Of the con-