Evening journal., 1899-01-30
About a
Fellow Countryman.
Copyright. 1889

" EARS ago was employed as an ex-
pert engineer by a European gov
ernment, and chanced to be closely tied
down at our hotel by my wife's serious
illness. Being thus alone and de-
pressed, 1 welcomed the sight of
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 or gun
merry.
Il have come to Europe" said my
friend who was man of some so
winters, "to introduce patent"
"Ah. that Is interesting" said I.
Eyes, have worked for years upon
the loading OF heavy guns and have
reached what 1 consider a happy re-
suit"
and have you presented your pa
pcrs TO the war ofiice?'' ] inquired.
well, 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 reply-what were
their reasons for not trying or exam
ming your model?" l asked.
"There has been no reply" he blurt-
ed out, his Indignation showing itself
more and more.
"Ah, that IS strange said l. 81 am
closely connected with the officers Of
the department. and though 1 cannot
say they are quick to adopt innova-
tions, they are always courteous 10
those Who present themselves and Will
usually, at least, make q fair eXamina-
ton
"Well, ] don't see what is wrong with
my papers, said the choieric colonel
as 1 now observed him to be. "Since
sou are acquainted with those matters
it can do no harm to show you my pa
pers, and if you win have alike pa
,ience and kindness you may throw
some light upon my quandaries."
81 am quite at your service" / as
sured him, and so we appointed a time
when / should go to his room.
The next day, at the hour named, I
raped at his door. II was promptly
opened and the colonel ushered me iu
with evidences Of excitement. A guu.
about the size OF one used on a pleas
ure yacht, q little beauty. stood as Sc
ready for action. iu one corner Of the
room while The large center table wa
covered with papers
''To commence with, here is copy
Of my letter to- The war Office"
r L took up the sheet and controlled
p my features while 1 read a plain state
ment that i'm view OF the utter ignor-
A., ance and doplorasle lack of advance
e ment in the European ordnance" the
o. writer almost from sense of pity
would show the - war office how
b. TO convert their very ancient guns
e. into modern ones if invited to make q
n test of the model which he had
d brought.
- This was followed by a second and q
third note requesting an audience OF
n hearing. And to none had there com,
l. any reply.
# We'll my friend" said l, after lool,
d ing with considerable surprise at tn,
l. model and the patent, which was mar
d yelously clever, Il fear YOU have no
l. been happy in your tone toward thosl
# officials. You see, though you MAJ
consider them behind the time, It Il
T. best not to tell them so, and II yol
T. like I will undertake to get you, no
t. only hearing, but trial"
e He thanked me heartily, and tn
II following day found myself at the wa
y Office. Herr Won Staed," said TO th
le secretary, a dignifed, courteous mar
.e "a countryman of mine chances TO b
= at my hctel, and though he is, perhaps
S. what we term a rough diamond. an oil
.e soldier as well. be has certainly struc
III a clever invention which would be q
'e use 10 YOU"
r indeed" said the secretary. "ma
10 ! ask who your friend is. and what
his iuvention?"
~ Ills name isHolden."
- At which the secretary smiled am
Z drew from q pigeon hole the ccccntri
communication. copies of which Ia
already seen.
"l fear your friend is over-burdene
" Win conceit. observed the secrctar
"Arc sou sure he has good thing2"
70 yes" / said. "and if you viii az
'r. cept uy apology for his iEd.screet an
awkward style, ! will undertake to r
duce him 20 greater respect"
ll- The secretary nodoned 10 domest
near the door and told him to reque
Lieut. Stalehaver to joinus When q
c- young officer appeared the secretai
nl kindly said "Lieut. Stalehaver, plea
ad listen to Mr.. Thompson S account Of Il
,le invention offered to us last week
those extraordinary letters"
is- "Af,er had explained the inveutio
- Good" sa,d ihe honorable secretaI
"lieut. SiRiehavor iuru a commit
The total income OF che Amerlc
Ike Board Of Foreign Missions for 4
ianH