The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1899-01-18
About a
Fellow Countryman.
copyright. 1881

doWn AT our hotel by my wife's serious
illness. Being thus alone and de-
pressed, | welcomed the sight of n
fellow countryman. solitary like my
self
We met for several days, both at
table and in the smoking room, and
as our acquaintance ripened the con-
versation naturally drifted to topic
of mutual interest, ordnance or gun
merry.
II have come to Europe said my
| friend. who was a man of some SO
winters, ito introduce patent"
"Ah. that is interesting" said I.
"Yes, | have worked for years upon
the loading of heavy guns and have
| reached what | consider a happy re-
suit"
And have you presented your pa
pers to the war Officer" inquired.
We'll, that is the trouble" ex-
claimed Col. Holden. whose face flushed
with suppressed irritation. II have
done so, with no success"
But what was the reply-what were
their reasons for not trying or exam
| ming your model?" asked.
There has been no reply" he blurt-
ed out, his indignation showing itself
| more and more.
"Ah, that is strange" said |. II am
closely connected with the officers of
| the department, and though | cannot
say they are quick to adopt innova-
tons, they are always courteous to
those who present themselves and will
usually, at least, make fair eXamina-
ton"
We'll, / don't see what is wrong with
my papers," said the cbolerie colonel,
as | now observed him to be. Since
you are acquainted with those matters,
it can do no harm to show you my pa
rers, and if YOU will have alike pa
;ience and kindness you may throw
| some light upon my quandaries.'
Il am quite at your service | as
sured him, and so we appointed time
when | should go to his room.
The next day. at the hour named. |
raped at his door. 1t was promptly
opened and the colonel ushered me in
with evidences of excitement. A gun,
about the size of one used on pleas
ure yacht, a little beauty, stood as if
ready for action, in one corner of the
room, while the large center bic was
covered with papers.
TO commence with, here is copy
of my letter TO the war Office"
| took up the sheet and controlled
my features while | read plain state
ment that in view CT the utter ignor-
ance and deplorable lack of advance
ment in the European ordnance the
writer almost from sense of pity
would show the war office how
to convert their very ancient guns
into modern ones if invited tovmake a
test of the model which he had
brought.
This was followed by a second and
third note requesting an audience or
a hearing. And to none had there come
any reply.
Well my friend" aid |, after look
ing with considerable surprise at the
model and the patent, which was mar
selously clever, Il fear you have not
been happy in your tone toward those
officials. You see, though you may
consider them behind the time, it is
best not TO tell them so. and if you
like | will undertake to get you, not
only hearing, but trial"
He thanked me heartily, and the
following day found myself at the war
office Herr Won Staed," said to the
secretary, IA dignified. courteous man,
"a countryman of mine chances to be
al my hotel, and though he is, perhaps.
what we term a rough diamond, an old
soldier as well, he has certainly struck
a clever invention which would be of
use 10 YOU
Indeed" said the secretary, may
| ask who your friend is, and what is
his invention ,"
His name is Holden"
At which the secretary smiled and
drew from a pigeon hole the eccentric
| communication, copies of which had
already seen.
Il fear your friend is over-burdened
with conceit," observed the secretary.
Are you sure he has good thing?"
YES" | said, land il you will ac-
cept my apology for his ndiscreet and
awkward style, will undertake TO re-
duce him to greater respect"
The secretary motioned to domestic
near the door and told him to request
Lieut.. Stalehaver to join us When the
young officer appeared the secretary
kindly said, Lieut.. Stalehaver, please
listen to Mr.. Thompson's account of the
invention offered to us last week in
those extraordinary letters"
after had explained the invention,
Good" said the honorable secretary,
Lieut.. Stalehaver, form committee
of three officers and wait upon this gen
tlcman. Bring me the result"
| repaired at once to Col. Holden
with the good news. and some days
later not only an investigation was
made, but the model was tested.
| was absorbed in other matters and
also greatly disturbed by my wife's
illness, so only from time to time did
| see my American friend, whose chol-
eric propensities had changed into
blard amiability and high spirits.
ocdtCu ouC lily
quiet was disturbed by the excitement
of Col. Holden, who grasped me by the
hand and, seating himself by my side,
exclaimed:
"My dear Mr.. Thompson, how can
ever thank you? My fortune is made.
The government. is going TO cut all of
their old guns IN two and introduce
my loading apparatus. shall order
myself a yacht at once and arm her
with small guns, all on my model"
Not so fast-not so fast said
But" he ratified on. Il have farm
in Illinois overlooking the lake, a stun
,ing sight! l shall build me house
and surround it by fort mounted
with these guns" And on he ratified.
with plans equally wild. Then he sub
sided and ate his dinner like u hungry