The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-01-31

4 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 gem
tlcman. Bring me the result"
| repaired al once to Col. Holden
witn the good news, and some days
later not only an investigation was
made, but the model was tested.
| was absorbed in othsr matters and
also greatly disturbed by my wife's
illness, so onIy from time to time did
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 leading apparatus. l shall order
myself yacht at once and arm her
with snail guns, all Oh my model"
Not so fast-not SO fast" said
But" he ratified on, Il have a farm
IN Illinois overlooking the lake, a stun
ming sight | shall build me a house
and surround it by a 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
cnel'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
day morning, for my wife had grown
worse, but arranging for her comfort,
FASTENED to the colonei's room, hop
ing to catch him there and rush with |
him in carriage, which had ordered |
to the testing grounds. | knocked at
No. l79. but no answer came, and after
several knocks l made my way quickly |
TO the Office
Where is Col. Holden ?" asked the
clerk
I'm his room. sir, suppose" an
swered he.
Then he must be asleep, for have
knocked loudly and received no reply.
Would you like me to go to his room
with you? Perhaps your wife is ill
and Col. Holden could be of service 10
1ou, he ventured, in surmse to ex-
olaln my haste and excitement.
Mo- said |, as we hurried up the
tars, I'VE had an official appointment
md have scarcely time to get to the
esting grounds now"
We reached the door and knocked
ven louder than before. No answer
anne, and the clerk turned the knob
# the door, which offered no resist
nee. But where was the colonel?
lone, the model gun-bag and bag
age, the inmate had departed. could
lot understand, but leaving the stupe- I
ed clerk staring blankly, | rushed
own and jumped into the carriage
which was waiting.
War office" said
AT the office | was admitted without
eremony to the secretary's presence.
Have the officers gone to the test
ng ground?" l asked. quite breath
,ssly.
You have just missed them" re-
lied the secretary, "but if you drive
lpidly you will overtake them"
Then you have heard no news of our
Iventor?" | returned.
Only that he is to meet our officers '
,r the test trial"
Il beg your pardon for my precipi- S
tie visit. and will hurry as you sug- W
asted. | fear there is some mystery, c
n which I hope you will not hold me Il
sponsible." a
was gone before Herr Won Staed s.
'uld ask an explanation. and drove ii
adly to the testing grounds. did cl
IT overtake the officers. but found T
EN- already giving their orders in W
eparatiou for the trial. q;