New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-08

Night hesitatingly, unwilngly drew back her
curtain of darkness. and the sun grandly, males
tically sublimely appeared IN all his glory, his
bright rays bringing warmth and cheer TO all
Daylight revealed in the centre OF the city
great mound-too high to be called a hill, not
high enough to be taken for mountain AT Its
foot were assembled throngs of people pushing,
pulling kicking and even fighting to get nearer
TO the mound. For miles around nothing but
people could be seen all wishing to witness this
momentous event in the history Of the world; to
see the attempt made to communicate with
Mars A Gordon Of guards kept back the crowd
ing, squeezing horde of excited people. How the
ones on foot envied those who could afford to
use the radio acting wings. that late. expensive
invention. This was a sight long to be remem-
bered.
Suddenly there appeared on the top Of the
mound what at first looked like large, irregu-
larly shaped ball, but which gradually took the
form Of a man. 1t was the professor, but his
body was enveloped by a large rubber bladder.
strong and elastic. Loosely hanging from his
shoulders were pair Of the best wings procur-
able, while covering the lower part Of his face
alright boxlike case, to the inside OF
which was attached a mechanical, chemical ap
paratus for keeping the air IN the box continu-
ally pure. Over all he wore close fitting suit
OF asbestos cloth. Ever since the professor re-
vealed his plan to the scientific world, since
1t was put in motion, the details had been car
ried out with the greatest eXactness Along the
slope Of the mound, which had been two years
in building, ran a pair Of rails, leading. If fol-
lowed in straight line. directly to Mars. :.
Barely had the professor stationed himself
on the top Of the mound when there sounded
the shriIl tool, toot' of a whistle. The next
moment fitted at its upper end with an
iron plate rushing UP the track at an al
most incaIculable rate of speed. At the same
time the professor, with almost the same speed,
flew toward the oncoming car. AS he neared
It one wing flopped so as to cause him to turn
and strike the car with his back. The crash
as those two forces met could be heard miles
away Then, before the spectators knew what
had happened. the professor was flying his
five hours journey TO Mars
Four hours had passed, TO him as many ages.
and the professor still flying. AS he came
under the influence Of Mars he felt his speed
increase. Now, however, he was almost over
whelmed by sickening idea: how was he to
stop at Mars? All thought had been given to
the start none to the end. Had the scientists
thought it would take care OF itself! Five more
minutes and he would be at Mars; now three;
then, with all the speed he had gathered since
coming under the influence OF Mars ne struck
the ground. With the despair of drowning
man he threw out his hand and ciutched-a wire.
It gave way and now he was again on his way
TO the earth. The return was faster, and in two
hours time. half unconscious. he struck, not
land, but water, for, when he bounded from
Mars, his course changed the least bit.
All this had been viewed through the power
full telescopes in the Hartmann Observatory, and
Immediately boats had been sent out TO rescue
the professor, who, as he again came to the sur
face, was borne up by the bladder-fls wings
had fallen from his shoulders on striking Mars.
AS he was taken aboard a ship ii was seen he
still clutched the wire, which rose high into the
cir and could be until lost in the distance.
Immediately it was discovered to be a telephone
wire; receiver was attached; their expecta-
tons were realized, and what at first seemed
absolute failure had changed TO complete sue
cess A short conversation with the Martians
revealed the fact that this wire had been made
while the preparations, the result Of which the
Martians had foreseen. were going
But what of the professor? He came out none
the worse for his journey and TO him was given
the honor OF keeping this single phone to Mars;
to him was entrusted that invaluable treasure.
The dreamer stirred. Tho gentle silvery rays
Of the moon were streaming in at the window.
A servant entered and announced a visitor.
Then. the professor passed out of his study,
he sighed deeply.