The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1899-01-20

=
ever thank your Ny fortune is made.
The government is going 10 cut all Of
their old guns IN two and introduce
Iay loading apparatus. shall order
myself a yacht at once and arm her
with small guns, all on my model
4-Not so fast-nOt so fast said
"But," he ratified on, Il have a farm
IN Illinois overlooking the lake, a stun
ming sightl I shall build me a house
and surround IT by q fort mounted
with these guns And on be ratified,
with plans equally wild. Then he sub
sided and ate his dinner like hungry
fcan-
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 u with the cor
OneTs new loading apparatus
Wednesday evening, n greater ex-
element than ever, he sent for me and
asked me to accompany him to the
testing grounds the next day, which
I consented to CO.
was somewhat detained on Thurs
Gay morning, for my wife had grown
worse. but arranging for her comfort,
I fastened 10 the cOlOneIs ROOM hop
ing 10 catch him there and rush with
him In a carriage, which ] had ordered.
TO the testing grounds knocked at
No. IT9. hut no answer came, and after
several knocks ] made my way quickly
10 the Office.
where is Col. HoIden2'' I asked the
clerk.
IN his room. sir, I suppose" an
/ swered he.
Then he must be asleep, for have
knocked loudly and received no reply.
Would You like me to 60 to his room
with you? Perhaps your wife is iil
and Col Holden could be of service 10
yOu," he yentured, in surmise to eX-
plain my haste and excitement.
NO" said I, 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. could
not understand, but leaving the stupe-
fed clerk staring blankly, I rushed
down and jumped into the carriage
/ which was waiting
"War Office" I said.
At the office I was admitted without
ceremony TO the secretary's presence.
"Haye the officers gone to the test
/ ing grOund?" L asked, quite breath
Iessly.
You have Just missed them" re-
piled the secretary, ''but if you drive
rapidly you viii Overtake them"
Then you have heard no news Of our
inventOr?' I returned.
"OnIy that he is to meet our officers
I for the test trial.
81 beg your pardon for my precipi-
/ tate visit, and viii hurry as you sug-
/ Cested. fear there is some mystery,
/ for which I hope you viii not hold me
responsible"
I was gone before Herr Won Staed
/ could ask an explanation. and drove
madly to the testing grounds. did
not Overtaze the officers, but found
i
preparation for the trial
HAS Col Holden arrived?'' asked
Immediately.
aNO, 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 p
aWeU. gentlemen" L said, reluct-
antIy, you might proceed with the
trial. Col. Holden has left his hotel
bag. baggage and gun"
"By iOve, that's like the mighty in
ventOr," said young Lieut. Stein.
kind Of a disappearing gun carriage
Oh. feIlows2r
He'll come around later to claim the
Doodle" said another officer, for he
has mighty plans for yachts and
castles on an American lake
well. gentlemen" said 1, report
upon this trial as favOrably as possible;
and I will try and find the colonel
Au revoir,'' and I drove back to my
hotel
The clerk stood at 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
queerI The colonel Is honest. if &C.
centric"
The envelope contained a check for
the hotel bill, with neither word nor
comment.
what messenger brought this?"
zone Of the regular POrters. though
he must have been we'll fed. I could
get nothing ont Of him. Mum was the
word"
I went to the railroad station. The
booking agent knew the colonel by
I sight. and remembered selling him a
ticket to Paris. I notified the wal
Office. and though the government de-
teetives were ordered TO make an ex-
haustive search. cur friend, the colonel
has never appeared upon the scene
even TO claim the money.
Arm Chair Of Solid Gold.
The shah Of Persia owns the most
/ valuable armchair in the world II Is