The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-03-23

Somewhere in the realms of space
there Is floating some twenty gallons
more or less of erstwhilc liquid air
originally intended for the delectation
of the Scranton public at the lecture
given by Professor A. Fl. Welles at the
high school last night. The fact that
the air had gone back to its original
etheral condition, however, was not
announced until an expectant audience
nearly taxing the capacity of the hall
had been seated after having purchased
tickets.
The difficulties encountered in bring
ing the stuff to this city have been
thoroughly gone over before. Suffice it
to say that last night was the third
attempt made to hold the lecture, the
difficulty experienced heretofore being
that the express companies would not
carry the air. The officials of the
National Express company, however,
finally agreed to trans port II hers, ana
when it actually and really arrived in
the city yesterday morning the high
school students managing the lecture
couldn't restrain themselves.
NOTICES POSTED.
Printing establishments were in.
vaded and posters bearing the follow
ing inscription were struck off by the
hundred: Liquid Air Lecture To-
night. The Air Has Arrived"
The posters were pasted or tackled up
from one end of the city to the other
and small boys were engaged to carry
signs bearing a similar inscription
around the streets Of the central city.
~ 10 HaI To- &c nth ORG
read that the air had actually arrived
they decided they could go without
fear of disappointment and according
ly the auditorium was thronged last
night.
Upon the stage was a long table con-
tanning a charming array OF glass re-
torts and number of other things re-
quired to perform the experiments
which nearly everybody has read about
but which so few have seen. Seeing
this they felt perfectly sure that at last
the lecture would be given.
1t was given but not in the way in
tended.
After every one had been comfort
ably seated Professor Grant walked to
the front Of the stage and made re-
marks as follows
"Of course it is not necessary TO.
me to tell of the many difficulties we
have met with in bringing the liquid
air to this city. We have now sue
ceeded in getting some twenty gallons
of it here and though some of it fear
has evaporated Il hope we will have
sufficient to carry on the experiments
tonight We had arranged for a few
numbers to precede the lecture but
we will dispense with them and attack
the liquid air at once.
This desire on Professor Grants part
to attack the air at once caused some
apprehension. which was somewhat al
layed by the entrance from one side
Of Professor Welles and his assistant,
carrying between them an immense
tank resembling a gigantic ice cream
freezer.
THE AIR DISAPPEARED.
After this had been carefully de-
posted at the front of the stage Pro-
fessor Welles stepped forward and to oK
out a large stopper, looked carefully
into the receptacle, looked again to be
sure, appeared rather surprised, tooi;
out his handkerchief and wiped his
forehead, coughed a little and finally
braced himself up and said:
This can weighed 245 pounds last
night at the express office in Jers ~
City, and contained twenty gallons OF
liquid air, but l am sorry to say there
isn't any in 1t now. 1t has all leaked
| out in some unknown manner and we
will have to disappoint you again to-
night. The air came by the Delaware
I'D L.
this city this morning. We couldn't
give the lecture this afternoon, SO We
had to take our chances on having
| enough for tonight. I assure you we
| feel just as badly about it as you do
l will endeavor to interest you. how.
ever. with an historical account OF
liquid air manufacture without the
practical demonstration"
What did the audience do? some one
asks. They all leaned back, each and
every one of them, and laughed hearti.
ly. taking it all as a huge joke. Ir
| fact, some Of them kept laughing
| throughout the evening. When the
| laughter had ceased Professor Welles
plunged into a brief scientific account
| of the manufacture Of liquid air and
| told of molecular vibrations" and
| other things. The audience listened
| attentively and when Professor Welles
ceased speaking he was greeted with
applause.
OTHER FEATURES.
l. A really excellent little entertain.
ment was given after his remarks and
was enjoyed by all present. The Gles
| club sang several selections in a de.
| lightful manner; Miss Laura Meldrun
rendered two difficult piano selections
Edward Morse and Miss Fraunfelkel
played two delightful duets on the