The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1906-09-13

paper from his lawn and inter 1t de-
Gently in bed OF variegated lc1ves
fallen from the naples bordering the
roadway. The sharp October breeze
exhumed it almost before his back
was turned, and his housekeeper,
watching from an upper window, OBJ
served thai men with vast amount
Of brain showed an extraordinary
want of common sense.
Professor Borthwick-with the al
phabet transposed after his name
walked to the end of the block and
turned the corner that brought the
buildings of the Canadian Geological
Survey into view. For generation
mast he had been one of the depart
ment's shining lights; over and above
all. he was the Borthwick Theory.
1t was impossible, in scientific cir
cles, to discuss the pre-glacial period
in Polar regions without reference to
the Borthwick Theory. 1t permeated
the calculations of two decades OF
biologists as inevitably as the knowl-
edge that certain fossils were char
acteristic of certain horizons. The
world over the Theory was discussed
and quoted, argued and dissented
from. OF course, there was dissen-
sion-the very magnitude of the
theme courted criticism from its bear
ing upon vast economic possibilities
in the Northwest provinces, as yet
but partially explored. Not that Pro-
fessor Borthwick concerned hirself
intimately with economic questions;
his interests were centred in the
course of events before Man was.
The Theory had its origin in
handful of obscure fossils collected
by the professor IN early manhood,
when field instructions had taken
him, one OF a band of pioneers, into
unexplored r -ions bordering upon
the Arctic.
Years passed, and each season
found him pursuing his investigations
with patient, answering energy;
those untrodden lands became divi-
sions, the divisions districts; widea-
wake prospectors began TO follow in
the Geological's Surveys footsteps;
Professor Borthwick continued to col
lcct fossils in summer and determine
them in winter, and slowly but sure
ly his researches strengthened his
convictions.
Borthwick on Northwestern geology
,ttained' Importance in the eyes OF
r' department, his views passed, in
process of time, to wider acceptance
as DR.. Borthwick's Theories, and
finally attained impressive, singular
and international significance as the
Borthwlck Theory.
The Professor aged with the
Theory; younger men went into the
field, able-where he was now un-
able withstand the hardships en-
tailed; he remained in his labora-
tory, and on the evidences of their re-
searches continued to deduce and es-
tablish the Theory, link by link.
Year by year he hoped for the con-
elusive results that would blazen it
on times records as incontrovertible
fact
He paused on the steps of the sur
vey with a dawning sense OF misgiV-
ing. Suppose that, in place of con-
firmatory evidence, the seasons S work
served to weaken the foundations OF
the Theory, or in any way suggested
the possibility of his critics being
right and he wrong. Even in the
home survey there were men who
doubted--youths of thirty-five and
forty who based their arguments on
experience that compared with Pro-
fessor Borthwick's s, was insignificant
A side door into the building
opened to exude couple OF empty
crates, indication, therefore, that the
fossils and mineral specimens col
iected in the past season were un-
packed and awaiting Identification.
The Professors autumnal elation
reasserted itself, his forebodings van
ished; entering the Survey, he said
good-morning to the janitor in tone
that caused tho official to note
thoughtfully that he mounted the
stairs to the next floor taking two at
time.
A spirit of hustle and rejuvenation
pervaded the Survey; the field par
ties we're assembling day by day from
all quarters, and exchanging specl-
mems end experiences.
In corridor Professor Dorthwick
happened upon a man fresh from the
centre-to him-of vital interest
They paused for an interchange oi
greetings. The Professor was popu-
lar with the younger generation fol
lowing his footsteps In the North
west its solitudes bore everlasting
witness Of him and of their esteem
even though the Theory should rass
in Borthwick mountain, Borth'
wick river, and lakes to match.
"A successful season, hope, Till
man?" said the Professor punctilious
ly, but with an undernote of eager
ness in his voice that was unmlstak
able.
''Tha''s for you to decide, Profes
sor," the younger man replied
"There's grateful of specimens wait
irg FOR you, some of them new.
think We followed up the ives
fork of the Borthwick and explored
one of the unknown tributaries.
wonderful country, but the dinicul
ties"
No doubt, no doubt" interrupte,
the Professor gently; transport prob
lens were mere details, and he ant
ed facts. Come to my room whel
Won have a momant In anara H.