The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-08


ness 10 carrier pigeons suggested making
for as these lofty nests. We greatly en-
joy our resting places above the citys
noise and ind il o kind OF high living that
Isl harmless.
From our dormitory windows at PITS
burg We look down on two great cities COW
ering the plain and climbing the steep hills
For miles along the river Banks loom up
the black roofs Of mills that clothe the
earth with iron. Above them IS a pillar
OF cloud by day and a pillar Of fire by
night" one evening. just as the lights mad
flashed like stars on the hintops, we sat IN
our lofty quarters telling stories. Some OK
our number could remember when Arm
strong first made practical the distribution
OF mail en- route. and was soon succeeded by
White the great builder Of our system
who is still our honored chief. Others
spoke OF French. the disciplinarian, and OF
Jackson as the systematizer OF the service.
AS twilight deepened and the city seemed
far away beneath Us one Of the clerks
pointed I'D tne river towards Braddock-
field aud remarked that a glimpse or our
times would have surprised one OF the ola
pioneers This gave a queer turn TO our
thoughts, which chung to US after we had
gone 10 the station and prepared for our
trip TO ST. Louis on the nigh; line. While
waiting IN the station mailroOm a strange
sensation came upon US for an instant We
looked into one another's faces and con-
versation ceased. Then we observed among
US a man dressed in the colonial garb Of
$50 years ago. No one saw him come IN,
but he was there. looking about with the
eagerness OF a child at first sight of the
Christmas tree. His face. which had the
strong features common 20 great men, was
flushed with pleasure. His PREDETERMINED
hat was besprinkled with rain. Over his
shoulder he bore a large silk kite with
brass key attached 10 the string. He
seemed to regard us only as part Of the
scenery. which apparently was new TO him.
The silence became oppressive, and Clerk
Burnside ventured TO remark: Been flying
your kite Mister. suppOse7" The stranger
smiled and placed the kite in Burnsides
hands When Burnside touched the key
strong electric shock was felt and the kite
vanished instantly. Burnside turned pale
as Banquo's ghost and said he disliked
anything that occurred too suddenly. An
Irish porter crossed himself and rushed
down stairs. exclaiming: 1T isn't alive he
IS al an. but just walking around for
bluff when he's dead" We would all have
hurriedly left the room. but our limbs re-
fused 10 carry Us. It was relief when our
visitor spoke. Thank Cod" he said, my
desire hath been granted and shall see in
a dream the inventions OF another century.
Desire burned within me to know the fu-
ture Of that weH-nigh impossible wilder
ness west OF Pennsylvania province. I am
ms
days Journey with those who have charge
Of his Msjesty's mail. / contend that safe
and frequent carriage of mail is beneficial
70 traffic. AS postmaster at Philadelphia 1
send mail frequently TO New York, and 10
Maryland and Virginia provinces. As proof
OF our speedy arrangement, here is a letter
written two weeks ago to-day by youth
named George Washington in the province
Of Virginia" We looked with great in
terest on the document, which was dated
June J. 1752. When placed in the hands of
Mr.. Whittier. our clerk in charge, it van
ished like the kite and We again suffered
from nervous debility. The stranger con-
tinued: Beloved myths, whom 1 behold
in my dream, how long is your journey
with the Kings maiI?" Six hundred and
twenty miles 10 city called St. Louis, -
said Whittier nervOusly. The stranger
shook his head and said: '"Tis almost be
yond belief but I must not deny your
statement Ny own conclusions are often
unacceptable TO others. and to-day I veri-
fed a truth that is contrary TO most minds.
20 wit. that lightning is the same as cleo
tricity excited by friction" Clerk in Charge
Whittier went TO the telephone and called
for Philadelphia Now, stranger" he
said IAN electric wire like your kite string
extends from here to Philadelphia, and
sounds are reproduced at the other end.
Our visitors face glOwed with delight as
the PARKWAY voice reached his ear, and the
party at Philadelphia was astonished al
mis- quaint questions. We called the Gov
eruor OF New York. of whom he inquired
concerning recent Indian troubles, also the
mayor Of Boston. with whom he discussed
the peculiar plan Of the city. These people
stiu wonder whose strange, rich voice they
heard. and the department at Washington
IS still trying TO discover who made thai
bin against it at the rate Of SO for eacf
three minutes. Mr. Whittier produced ar
evening paper containing news of the day
from every land. "A little wire under the
ocean flashing signs along" he said. The
thankful" he said that you now exis
only IN my imagination and shall have
your time 20 live many years hence wher
this Is real Il was distressing 10 learI
that we were merely shadows OF a dream
that would disappear when he awoke.
Our train was now in the shed and tn,
stranger stood beside it amazed beyond
measure. What propels this mammoth
conveyance" he exclaimed. An Irishmar
replied. Hot shane" and then fed
Standing beside the engineer. who wa
p0uring oil here and there. the strange
said. no power on earth can move tina
mass Of metal IL weighs "a hundred tons
THAT She does. replied the engineer with
out looking up but she'll skim like
bird. The stranger remarked This pave
ment seems narrow. bat very strong. How
Tar extend these metal bars To the limi
az the town. "Hai Ia, from sea 10 sea
laughed The engineer. The stranger echot,
the words. from sea 10 SEA" in a voice s
fun az wonder that the engineer wa
frightened re dropped his torch and OF
can Co the foor climbed in the cab an
Blew four awful blasts OF the whistle as
cali for help. and was afterward fined 70
making so much noise IN the station
Through the dozen coaches OF our trai