Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-01-27
of three officers and waff upon this gen
fieman BRING me the result -

made, but the model was tested.
| was absorbed in other matters and
| also greatly disturbed by my wife's
| illness, so only from time to time did
I see my American friend, whose choi-
| 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? Ny fortune is made.
The government is going to cut all Of
their old guns in two and introduce
| my loading apparatus I shall order
myself a yacht at once and arm her
with small guns, all on my model"
mot so fast-not so FAST" said
But" he ratified on, 81 have a farm
in Illinois overlooking the lake. stun
ming sight! I shall build me a house
| and surround it by fort mounted
| with these guns" And on he ratified,
with plans equally wild. Then he sub
sided and ate his dinner like hungry
nan. Q
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
oners new loading apparatus.
Wednesday evening, in greater ex-
element 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
Gay morning, for my wife had grown
worse, but arranging for her comfort,
l fastened to the colonei's room, hop
ing TO catch him there and rush with
him in a carriage, which had ordered.
to the testing grounds. I knocked at
No. 179, but no answer came, and after
several knocks made my way quickly
to the Office.
"Where is Col. Holden ?" 1 asked the
clerk.
'1n his room. sir, 1 suppose" an
swered he.
Then he must be asleep. for I have
knocked loudly and received no reply
Would you like me to go to his room
with you? Perhaps your wife is i'll
and Col. Holden could be of service 10
you," he ventured, in surmise to ex-
plain my haste and excitement.
NO." said 1, as we hurried up the
stairs, 1--WE had an official appointment
and have scarcely time to get to the
testing grounds now"
We reached the door and knocked
even louder than before. No answer
| came, and the clerk turned the knob
of the door, which Offered no resist
| ance. But where was the colonel?
| Gone, the model gun-bag and bag
gage, the inmate had departed. Icouid
not understand, but leaving the stupe-
| fled clerk staring blankly, l rushed
down and jumped into the carriage
which was waiting.
WAR Office" / said.
At the Office I was admitted without
| ceremony TO the secretary's presence.
Have the officers gone to the test
ing ground?" I asked, quite breath
lessly.
You have just missed them," re-
piled the secretary, 'but if you drive
| rapidly you will overtake them"
Then you have heard no news of our
inventor?" 1 returned.
"Only that he is to meet our officers
for the test trial"
II beg your pardon for my precipi-
tate visit. and will hurry as you sug-
gested. I fear there is some mystery,
for which hope you will not hold me
| responsible"
l was gone before Herr Won Staed
| could ask an explanation, and drove
madly to the testing grounds. did
not overtake the officers. but found
| them already giving their orders in
| preparation for the trial.
HAS Col. Holden arrived?" asked.
Immediately.
! NO. we are waiting for him. But
what could detain him? We had wa
| gered he would be ordering the gun
ners about before we could get here"
We'll. gentlemen" 1 said, reiuct-
antly. you might proceed with the
trial. Col. Holden has left his hotel.
bag. baggage and gun"
"By jove. that's like the mighty in
ventor." said young Lieut.. Stein.
kind of disappearing gun carriage.
eh. fellows?"
Hell come around later to claim the
DOODLE" said another officer. ''for he
has mighty plans for yachts and
castles oman American lake"
We'll. gentlemen" said /. report
upon this trial as favorabiy as possible;
and I will try and find the colonel.
Au revoir." and I drove back to my
hotel.
The clerk stood ut the door waiting
for me.
"a 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. if &C.
centric"
The envelope contained a check for
the hotel bill. with neither word nor