The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1899-01-20
About a
Fellow Countryman.
Copyright 1ssG)

illness. Being thus alone and de-
pressed, 1 welcomed the sight Of a
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 a topic
Of mutual interest, ordnance OF gun
merry.
Il have come to Europe" said my
friend, who was a man Of some so
winters, Ito introduce a patent"
''Ah, that is interesting" said I.
eyes, have worked for years upon
The loading Of heavy guns and have
reached what I consider a happy re-
suit"
and have you presented your pa
Pers to the war Office % inquired.
"Weu, that is the trouble" ex-
claimed Col. Holden, whose face flushed
with suppressed irritation Il have
done so, with no success"
But what was the repIy-what were
their reasons for not trying or exam
lining your modeI?" asked.
There has been no reply" he blurt-
ed ont, his indignation showing itself
more and more.
"Ah, that is strange" said I. 81 am
closely connected with the officers Of
the department, and though I cannot
say they are quick TO adopt innOva-
tiOns, they are always courteous 10
those who present themselves and will
usually, at least, make a fair examina-
ton"
well, don't see what is wrong with
my papers, said the chOIeric colonel,
as now observed him TO be. Since
you are acquainted with those matters,
IL can do no harm TO show YOU my pa
Pers, and if you viii have alike pa
thence and kindness you may throw
some light upon my boundaries"
Il am quite at your service" as
sured him, and so we appointed a time
when 1 should 60 to his room.
The next day, at the hour named, I
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, a little beauty, stood as If
ready for action, in one corner Of the
room, while the large center table was
covered with papers.
TO commence with, here is q copy
Of my letter TO the war office"
1 took up the sheet and controlled
my features while 1 read a plain state
meut that in view Of the utter ignor-
/ ance and deplOrable lack Of advance
nIent 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 a second and a
/ third note requesting an audience or
I a hearing. And to none had there come
any reply.
well, my friend, said 1, after look
/ ing with considerable surprise at the
model and the patent, which was mar
/ veIOusly clever, Il fear you have not
| been happy in your tone toward those
\ officials. You see, though you may
/ consider them behind the time, ii is
\ best not TO tell them 50, and If YOU
/ like 1 viii undertake TO get you, not
I only hearing, but trial"
He thanked me heartily, and the
/ following day found myself at the war
I office. Herr Won Staed," said 1 TO the
/ secretary, a digniied, courteous man,
I "a cOuntryman Of mine chances 10 be
a my hotel, and though he is, perhaps,
\ what we term rough diamond. an old
I soldier as well, he has certainly struck
clever invention which would be Of
use 10 you
Indeed" said the secretary, may
I 1 ask who your friend is, and what Is
Z his inventiOn?"
His name is Holden"
At which the secretary smiled and
drew from pigeon hole the eccentric
{ communication, copies Of which had
/ already seen.
II fear your friend is over-burdened
with cOnceit," observed the secretary.
Are you sure he has a good thing?~
Yes" L said, "and If YOU viii &C
sept my apology for his indiscreet and
awkward style, I viii undertake 10 re-
duce him to greater respect"
The secretary mOtioned TO a domestic
near the door and told him to request
Lieut. Stalehaver 10 Join Us When the
young officer appeared the secretary
kindly said, Lieut.. Stalehayer. please
listen to Mr. Thompson account Of the
invention offered 10 US last week in
3 those extraordinary letters.
after had explained the invention.
Good" said the honorable secretary,
Lieut. Stalehaver, form a committee
Of three officers and wait upon this gen
tIeman. 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 ant
also greatly disturbed by my Wife's
illness. SO only from time to tine did
see my American frieRd. whose chol
eric propersities Dad ohanEed iatC
bland amishIisty aaa hiEt Spirits.
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