The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1907-08-22
ObSer.k'f1ag The
Pldnef Venus.
TOriginal.l

y
may best be described by adjectives
beginning with the letter p" She was
pretty. piquant. pleasing. | regret to
say that there is one adjective begin
ming with "p" that does not describe
her. She was not pious. She was rath-
er perverse. and especially was she per-
tinaciouS.
Miss Burnham had recently made
the acquaintance of Edwin Summers.
a young astronomer who was astOnish-
ing the world with marvellous discover
les Miss Burnham had intimated to
Professor Summers desire to visit his
observatory and had been told that no
one was admitted.
Not long after this refusal, while
Summers was at work computing, he
received card bearing the name of
Mrs Amelia Hubbell Bodman. Now,
Mrs. Bodman was an. English lady
who had worked with her husband and
achieved distinction for herself in as
tron0mic photography. Summers had
not been aware that Professor Bodman
or his wife was in America. He well
coined the lady cordially, expressing a
great delight at receiving so distin-
guished person. Mrs. Bodman, like
most women of brains, was not beauti-
full She wore blue spectac1es she
said she had injured her eyes observ-
ing there were deep dark burrows in
her face, and several of her front teeth
had been lost without being replaced.
Summers invited her to inspect the OBJ
servatory, taking her first to the equa-
torial room.
"Our object glass;" he said, sis a
thirty inch achromatic lens. 1t has not
the reach of some of the larger glasses,
but has admirable defining power.
What is the size of your glass at the
Trickenhurst observatory
"Ours? Why, think ours is forty
nine inch''
Now, the professor knew well that
no such glass had ever been ground.
But he was polite man and possibly
thought Mrs. Bodman had worked
especially with Photographic instru-
ments and had got the sizes mixed.
At any rate. he did not take notice of
the blunder
sIn here" he continued, sis our
meridian circle. Have you meridian
circle or transit, or both?'
Both" said Mrs. Bodman hesitat-
ingly.
what style of chronograph do you
use?''
"We-we-don't use a chronograph."
1t began to look as if Mrs Bodman
was an impostor.
Eve are preparing for observations
on Mars" continued the astronomer,
sat the approaching conjunction. We
propose to watch the color changes
creep down the canals"
do you use the meridian circle for
these observations or the equatorial?'
asked the little woman at venture.
1.-THE meridian circle" replied Sum-
mers
He must have spoken in irony, for the
instrument for the purpose would be
Of no more use than a spyglass.
They were looking up at the instru-
ment referred to, brass telescope, it's
axes resting on stone columns, under
a narrow slit in the roof. This was all
the opening necessary since the "cir-
Gle" was fixed to sweep only the me-
ridian.
ST don't see," remarked Mrs. Bod
man, ''how you can observe the stars
through that strip up there in the
roof"
"Oh, use this instrument when I'm
tired. 1 go to sleep on the observing
chair and wait till the star I wish to
observe comes along"
"a good idea," replied Mrs. Bodman
"I'll suggest it to Professor Bodman."
"Do Tell him not to hesitate to
use it. l give my full permission.
By the bye, can't you come In this
evening? Venus is In fine position for
observation"
The lady started. A color came into
her furrowed cheeks. 81 have an en-
gagement this evening. I'm sorry"
'To visit some scientific society, I
suppose. dare say you are In great
QcmanO.
"You Americans are very kind"
"The honor and the pleasure are
ours"
81 must go now"
"SOrry have nothing more to show
you. Make my regards to your dis
ttnguished husband. have not need
ed to see him to know him His reputa-
ton is worldwide. BY the way, have
photograph album of scientific per-
sons, including you and your hus-
band.'
''MeY' faltered the lady.
Summers led the way to another
room, took up an album and turned to
pictures Of Professor and Mrs. Sum-
mers. Mrs. Summers was very
pleasant looking person Of about thirty.
81 recognized you by this" said the
astronomer. ut is fine picture Of
you"
Recognized me? You know me?
Certainly. You are Miss Burn
ham. I knew you the moment I saw