Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-02

CE0Y Uncle Leverton was worth half mil
NJ lion. He had made it all himself, in
various enterprses-the iron trade
Is&3 shipping and railroading-and at the
age of fifty he retired. He was in the
prime of his health and strength, and
people busted themselves extensively with spec
ulations regarding this move, and what he in.
tended to do with his money.
He spent very little on NE, I can vouch for
that Not that he was miser had been in
his care from my sixth year, and was his sole
relative. He gave me the education of my own
choosing-I elected to become physician--with
a sufficient, not liberal, allowance; but | had
been brought up with no expectation that he
would ever settle more than Moderate sum on
me. His theory was that unearned wealth car
ries curse rather than blessing.
With this understanding, had begun practice
in London, where ! was born, and after two
years success in my profession, married. My
uncle lived in retirement on an estate twenty
miles from town, where he carried experi-
ments in physics, horticulture, and the breed
ing of fine stock. ] great deal of him; he
was a man Of wonderful resources, wonderfully
trained, and I delighted in his society.
Like all persons of known wealth, my uncle
was besieged with begging letters-personal; in
the name of charity; in the interests of various
schemes, practical and Utopian, possible and
the contrary. The cases mentioned in most
instances were disposed of by his private secre-
tary; some of the most persevering of the most
curious however, were turned over to him. One
day when I was with him, he mentioned to me
the persistence of visionary who wanted capi-
tai to back him in scheme for controlling the
force of gravity.
"Look here" said my Uncle Leverton "this
is the latest effusion from the gravity man. He
wants me to make appointment with him,
at which he says he will demonstrate the work
LIE l. 4 u
fellow, Edward"
"Those cranks are apt to be dangerous, uncle"
/ objected.
"Boshl Be third at the interview, and pro-
tect me if you like"
'"All right" agreed. 'T'n take an hour off
Wednesday afternoon. l have to be out this
way" I made note Of the time
Wednesday afternoon found me in my uncle's
study. strange man was there before me,
roughly clad and very bristly as to beard and
eyebrows.
NY uncle waved his hand. "My nephew, Mr..
-,
"Golgotz," supplemented the stranger.
"NIr. Golgotz. Well, Mr.. Golgotz, you may
have the box brought in"
study heavy deal box. They handled it gin
gerly; their disapproval of the proceeding could
not be disguised. When they had gone Golgotz
fitted key in the lock and lifted the hinged lid.
An apparatus like a large storage battery was
revealed.
sTs your nephew entirely in your confidence,
sr?"
Entirely" returned my uncle, with smile at
my start
IT would prefer, sir, that this matter be en-
tirely between ourselves the persisted,
calmly.
'If you don't care to discuss your plans in
his presence you may CO." observed my uncle.
'T agree to his remaining, only in order to get
a hearing" returned Gogotz, with distrustful
look at me, which returned with interest
"Go on" said my uncle.
eff you have read my letters" the man began,
'you are aware that I have a plan for control
ling the force of gravity Relatively. / mean,
of course-not absolutely You know something
Of physical science, sr?"
My uncle bowed.
"It has long been believed that there is rcla'
tion between the force of gravity, which is the
attraction every particle of matter has for every
other, and magnetism, which is the attraction