The Farmington times. [volume] (Farmington, Mo.) 1874-1902, 1899-01-19


Eleven o'clock Thursday mornins
was ret 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 II with the eos
oners new lending apparatus,
"Wednesday evening In greater cy-
eiiement than ever, he sent TO- mr. and
asked me to accompany him 10 the
testing grounds the next day, which
consented TO 60.
/ wa somcw hat detained on Thurs.
duy morning, for my wife had grown
worse, but arranging for her comfort,
/ hastered 20 the colonies room, hop
| ing 10 catch him there aud rush witt
him in a carriage, which had ordered.
TO the testing grounds. knocked 1t
| No. lia, but no answer came. and after
several knocks uladc ny way quickly
TO the Office
where Is Cot. HOLDEN asked the
clerk.
In his room. sir, / suppose" an
twered he.
Then be must bc asleep, for have
knocked loudly and received no reply.
Would you like me TO 60 to his room
with you' Perhaps your wife is III
and Col Holden could he Of service q
YOU" be ycuturtd, In turmise to cA-
plain my haste and excitement.
NO said |, uz we hurried up the
stairs, I'VE had an oGicia! appointment
! and have scarcely lime To get 10 the
testing grounds now"
We reached the door aud knocked
even louder than before. No answer
came. ard the clerk turned the knob
OF the door, which offered no resist
Bucc. But where was the colonel?
Gone, the model gun--bag and bag
gaRe, the inmate had departed. Ieould
not understand, but leaving the stupe.
he'd clerk staring blaukly, / rushed
down ard jumped into The carriage
which was Whiting.
war Office" | said
i, Jhc Office ;sss admitted without
ceremony 10 the sccrctary's presence.
Have the officers gone 10 the test
ing Rround?' ! asked, quite breath.
lcssly.
You have just missed them" re-
piled the secretary, but II you drive
rapidly you will overtakc them"
Then you have heard no news OF our
INVENTOR" | returned.
only that he is to meet eur officers
for the test trial"
Il beg your pardon for my precipi.
tate visit aud will hurry rs you sug.
gcstcd. | fear there Is some mystery.
for which / nope you will not hoid me
responsible"
was gone before Herr Won Siucd
could ask au explanation, and drove
maiIy to the testing grounds did
not oycrtakc the officers. hut found
them already giving their orders ia
preparation for the trial.
lila, Col Holden arrived" asked.
Immediately.
NO, wc are waiting for him. But
what could dcinin him? We had wa.
gcrcd he would be ordering the gun
ncrs about before we could get here"
well. gentlemen" said, reluct-
Uutly. 'you might proceed with thc
trial. Col. Holden has left his hotel,
bag, baggage aud gun"
ny joyc, that's like the mighty in
Ventor," said young Lieut.. Stein,
Kind Of a disappearing gun carriage,
Oh, fcllows?"
Hell come around later 10 claim the
doodle" said another officer, for be
has mighty plans for yachts and
castles on un American lake"
"WelI. gentlemen" said !, report
upon this trial as fayorably as possible;
and viii try aud find the colonel.
IN rcvoir," and drove back to my
hotel
The clerk stood a, the door waiting
for me.
~ messenger from the railroad sta.
ton brought this, sir. after you left "
We'll in the name Of all that is
queer! The colonel Is honest. II &C.
centric"
The envelope contained Il check for
The hotel bill, with neither word nor
comment.
What messenger brought thlsT'
Zone Of the regular porters. though
he must have been well fed. could
get nothing out OF him. Mum was the
word"
| went TO the railroad station. The
booking agent knew the colonel hy
sight aud remembered selling him a
ticket to Paris. | notified the war
office. and though the government de- /
ttctiyrs were ordered to make an ex-
hauStive search, our friend, the colonel, /
has never appeared upon the scene
even to claim the money.