The daily sentinel., 1899-09-26
AMARTYR TO SCIENCE

AMARTYR TOSCIENCE
Her name was Matilda. Those who
knew her we'll called her Mattie. To mo
she was only Miss Twitters. She was one
of our boartiers, and the landlady was her
aunt.
think was attracted by Matilda at the
very first meal. She came down TO break
fast in white wrapper, and. though She
ate liberally Of corned beef hash and corn
meal mullins, seemed to see something
angelic about her. fancy should have
got along all right with Miss Twitters If 1t
hadn't been for Gibson.
Gibson humored my passion for science.
I haven't great deal of time for actual
study on the new innovations, but 1 al
ways read the newspapers thoroughly.
Gibson was equally well posted, and while
his fancy was somewhat playful, he was
we'll up in the technical terms and knew
great deal more than most people gave
him credit for knowing.
One evening at the supper table we fell
to discussing Tesla's assertion that tele-
phoning can be done without the use of a
wire. Gibson agreed with Tesla. was
inclined to take Edison's view. Miss
Twitters, 1T seemed to me, rather syInpa-
GOlZSu fWlCH my hIBuiHCuOoy anu, CLOouA
aged by her bright eyes, talked my pret-
tiest
"Well,' said Gibson, "let's put 1t to the
test.''
"The test 7" cried.
eyes" he answered. "I'll show you.
Here. Tompkins, you and Bushwick go
up on the top floor and listen. I'll shut
the door Of the dining room and then throw
my voice at you. II you hear me and un-
derstand, come right down."
Would you believe it, those two young
fellows lneekly obeyed Gibson, and we
heard them climbing the stairs. Gibson
shut the door carefully after them and
waited a minute or 60. Then he put his
lips close to the panels and said:
"Beeri'
A second or two later we heard Tomp-
kins and Bushwick madly galloping down
the stairs Then they rushed into the din
ing room. ,. ,,,.,.,..-
"You said beer" they cried in chorus.
.'WonderfulP said Miss Twittera. fa
It did seem wonderful, but I'm afrnid
1t was all put up job. ...-.,,., ~.
"We'Il experiment. with this again."
sAid Gibson to me.
And we did.
Bushwiok and Gibson got up = little
8dGuxu6y dltcIuOU0 0AOuI1lous Ancy
knew a delightful spot, and all the board
ers were invited. The ladies furnished
the eatahles. and the mon provided the
punch. OF course we all went on our
W 4 lslll: VIII 8s.as.. M
bere and there and the g1satest levels of
RsAs. When we bad Climbed up, we found
that the View was really lovely. Matilda
told me 90, and said 1t was, but Of
course my eyes were on her. When the
lunch boxes wera piled up and the wheels
stacked securely, the party separated. scat.
tered here and there. Bushwick walked
away with Matilda, but Gibson staid with
me. When they were all quite gone, he
was excited.
"Grindle," he cried, "do you see those
rocksp'
"Why, yes" answered.
"Do you know what they areP"
I admitted that / didn't. Geology is a
study in which had taken no interest.
"By George" he said. ~ think they are
magnesium rLl -.4
"What Of itS" asked.
"What of itP' he echoed. "Why, there
are the very rocks to test Tesla theory.
There is no rock that will carry sound
waves 90 perfectly as magnesium.
] began to feel interested.
"How do you knowP' asked.
"Well," he said, "Tesla hints at 1t, and,
then, have tried little experimenting on
my own account. See here
He led me to deep flssure in the rock,
and, carefully posting me against the wall,
told me to listen. put my ear against
the cold stone and eagerly waited. Pretty
soon to my great surprise heard muffled
voices and occasional bursts of laughter.
I looked up at Gibson.
81 thought you would, he said smiling.
"Those sounds come from the other side
Of the bill. Here" he suddenly added,
"we'll make this a real experiment. You
stay here and I'll go around on the other
side and get somebody to talk through to
you. Look at your watch. In five min
utes say .HelloP" I.8.
/ waited impatiently for the time to
eiapse. It did seem rather ridiculous, but
II Tesla aid il could be done, why should
l doubt IT.
When the five minutes were up, called.
"Heiloi Hellof' "''
Then heard a voice say, "Some one Ii
calling"
1t was a mufled voice, but it was un-
mistakably MatildaI.
"Miss Twittersi" called. "Miss Twit
tersp'
"Some one is calling mei' cried Matilda.
"What Is it?' she added. faeaf
Dear Miss Twitters, " ventured.
"Why, 1t sounds Ike Mr.. Grindle's
voice." said Matilda. si
"It IA callexi. "It In vour Gripdle's