The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-01-31
About a
Fellow Countryman.
Copyright, 1898. }

" EARS ago was employed as n ex
/ pert engineer by European gov
ernment, and CHANGED to be closely tiet
down at our hotel by my wife's seriou
illness. Being thus alone and de
pressed, l welcomed the sight of
fellow countryman, solitary like my
self.
We met for several days, both a
table and in the smoking-room, ant
as cur acquaintance ripened the con.
yersation naturally drifted to a topic
Of mutual interest, ordnance or gun.
merry.
Il have come to Europe" said my
friend, who was man Of some sc
winters, ito introduce patent"
All, that is interesting" said l.
Yes, | have worked for years upon
the loading of heavy guns and have
reached what l consider happy re-
suit"
And have you presented your pa
pers to the war office?' inquired.
well, 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
lining your model?" asked.
There has been no reply" he blurt-
ed out, his Indignation showing itself
more and more.
"Ah, that is strange said l. Il am
closely connected with the officers of
the department, and though | cannot
say they are quick to adopt innova-
tions, they are always courteous to
those who present themselves and will
usually, at least, make fair examina-
ton"
Well, ! don't see what is wrong with
my papers" said the choleric colonel,
as | now observed him to be. Since
you are acquainted with those matters,
it can do no harm to show you my pa
pers. and if you will have alike pa
ilence 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 a pleas
ure yacht, little beauty, stood as if
ready for action, in one corner of the
room, while the large center table was
covered with papers.
10 commence with, here is copy
OF my letter to the war office"
l took up the sheet and controlled
my features while read plain state
ment that in view of the utter ignor- |
aIce and deplorable lack of advance
Ment in the European ordnance" the
writer almost from a sense of pity |
would show the war office how
TO convert their very ancient guns
into modern ones if invited to make a
test OF the model which he had
brought.
This was followed by second and a
third note requesting an audience or
l hearing. And to none had there come
my reply.
We'll, my friend" said |, after look
ng with considerable surprise at the
model and the patent, which was mar
'elously clever, Il fear you have not
been happy in your tone toward those
,fficials. You see, though you may
consider them behind the time, it is
rest not to tell them SO, and if you
ike ! will undertake to get you, not
'nly hearing, but trial" |
He thanked me heartily, and the
ollowing day found myself al the war '
flee. Herr Won Staed," said to the {
ecretary, dignified. courteous man. !
a countryman of mine chances to be
I my hotel, and though he is, perhaps, Z
hat we term rough diamond, an old t
oldier as we'll, he has certainly struck /
clever invention which would be of
se TO you.' y
Indeed" said the secretary. may g
ask who your friend is. and what is c
Is inyention?"
"IIis name is Holden" b
At which the secretary smiled and b
'ew from pigeon hole the eccentric G
copies of which | had
ready seen. u
II fear your friend is over-burdened a
til conceit," observed the secretary. A
re you sure he has good thing?" h'