The Forrest City times., 1899-01-13

The secretary motioned TO domestic
hear the door and told him to request
Lieut.. Stalehayer 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.. Staiehaver, form a committee
of three officers and wait upon this gem
tlcman. Bring me the result"
I 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
I see my American friend, whose chol-
eric propensities had changed into
bland amiability and high spirits.
Seated at dinner one evening, my
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. l shall order
myself yacht at once and arm her
with small guns, all OF my model"
Not SO fast--not so fast" said
But" he ratified on, Il have farm
IN Illinois overlooking the lake, a stun
ming sight! | 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 hungry
nan.
Eleven o'clock Thursday morning
was set for the great test of the new
gun. The war officials, at their own
expense, had cut down one of their
large guns and altered it with the cor
onel's new loading apparatus.
Wednesday evening, in greater ex-
citement than ever, he sent for me and
asked me to accompany him to the
testing grounds the next day. which
| consented to co.
was somewhat detained on Thurs.
Gay morning, for my wife had grown
worse, but arranging for her comfort,
l hastened to the colonei's room, hop
ing TO catch him there and rush with
him in carriage, which had ordered
10 the testing grounds. knocked at
No. ITO. but no answer came. and after
several knocks l made my way quickly
TO the office.
Where is Col. Holden ?" I asked the
clerk.
In his room. sir, l suppose" an
swered he.
Then he must be asleep, for l have
! knocked loudly and received no reply.
Would you like me to go to his room
with you? Perhaps your wife is i'll
and Col. Holden could be of service 10
you,' he ventured, in surmise to ex-
plain my haste and excitement
NO" said I, as we hurried up the
stairs, 1--WE had an official appointment
| and have scarcely time to get to the
| testing grounds now"
We the QOOT anu knocked
even louder than before. No answer
came, and the clerk turned the knob
of the door, which offered no resist
ance. But where was the colonel?
Gone, the model gun-bag and bag
gage, the inmate had departed. could
not understand, but leaving the stupe-
fed clerk staring blankly, l rushed
down and jumped into the carriage
which was waiting.
War Office" said.
AT the office | was admitted without
ceremony to the secretary's presence.
Have the officers gone to the test
ing ground?" l asked, quite breath
lessly.
You have just missed them," re-
piled the secretary, "but if you drive
rapidly you will overtake them"
''Then you have heard no news of our
inventor?" l returned.
only that he is to meet our officers
for the test trial"
II beg your pardon for my precipi-
tate visit, and will hurry as you sug-
gested. fear there is some mystery,
for which l hope you will not hold me
responsible"
/ was gone before Herr Won Staed
could ask an explanation, and drove
madly to the testing grounds. | did
not overtake the officers, but found
them already giving their orders in
preparation for the trial.
HAS Col. Holden arrived?" l asked.
Immediately.
mo, we are waiting for him. But
what could detain him? We had wa
gered he would be ordering the gun
ners about before we could get here"
"Well, gentlemen" said. reluct-
antly, you might proceed with the
trial. Col. Holden has left his hotel,
bag, baggage and gun"
"By jove, that's like the mighty in
ventor," said young Lieut.. Stein.
kind Of a disappearing gun carriage,
eh. fellows"
Hell come around later to claim the
boodle." said another officer, "for he