Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-12-16
Prof.. Hydr0gsa's
Discovery.
By M. Downey.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS,

sieter.
Come home, 2 she. said, sand spend
Thanksgiving with u.s.. You have
made excuses before. but don't do 30
this time. Drop business for a few
days, and write that you will be here.
Let us have an ,old-fashioned Thanks
giving once more"
How could ! go? would have to
start on the day before the holiday,
and, with us, that was always busy
dGy. Then there were other reasons
why ] should remain in New York.
But the more reflected, the more
plainly pictured in my mind the
old home. Some one could take my
place for day or two; the engage
ments could be put over for a time.
felt a longing for the scenes of my
childhood. ] had stayed away too
long. resolved to go home.
The morning before Thanksgiving
Day found me passenger on the day
express for Boston I had calculated
to arrive there about mid afternoon.
and to reach Beverly. my destination,
!. about six O'clock. Then for a brisk
drive, or sleigh ride, three miles over
the bills to the well remembered
farmhouse.
As the train whirled along set
tied back In my seat. and, forgetting
the cares OF business. gave myself up
TO pleasant anticipation. A fine, driv-
ing snowstcrm had set in, and bid
fair to- continue all day.
A tall man, wearing glasses, and
having scholarly appearance, occu.
pied the seat across the aisle from
{ me. My attention had been drawn
to him by his asking me for match
Just before the train started, as he
made some remark upon the snow
storm. After we had got under way,
noticed him two or three times re-
gardtng me intently. as though anxi-
Gus to engage in conversation.
lay back in my seat with my
head resting on the cushions, lazily
watching the driving snowfiakes, and
listening to the humming OF the
wheels as we rode along, preferring
70 be left to my. reflections. Present,
" he rose and came over to. where i
was sitting. Seating himself in the
vacant place beside me he asked.
How far are you going?"
Boston, replied.
That's my destination also" he
said. DO you stay there?"
No. answered. II go on to Bev-
erly."
He then handed me a card, which
read: professor Hydrogen, Chemist
and Inventor" This aroused my in
terest, and gave the professor my.
card. We talked for a while about
chemistry. on which he seemed we'll
posted.
Are you interested in explosive ="
he finally asked, j. in a confidential
manner.
i replied that had read a good
deal on the subject, as it was sci
snce which interested me very much.
Can you spare time. when we get
TO Boston. to come. with me to my
laboratory? will show you some
thing which am sure you will re-
gard as the wonder of the century.
You will have time enough TO get
your train. ! will not keep you long. .
readily agreed to accompany aim,
as ! would have an hour to spare, and
this was chance Of seeing some
marvel recently discovered
Upon our arrival ct Boston we
made our way through the crowded
fstation to the street. The professor
hailed a South End trolley car: his
place, he said, was on Dover street
As we rode. he informed me that he
had discovered new explosive
which would in short time be used
throughout the world.
Dynamite sand gunpowder,p he
said, twill no longer be in use when
my new product is given chance to
show what 1t can do.''
Upon reaching his home he showed
me upstairs to small room, which
appeared to be in the centre Of the
building as there were no windows
opening from 1t. light being furnished
by means Of a single gas jet, which
was kept burning at all times.
This Is my laboratory" said nv
host, with pride. This is where my
idea first came to me-. and where 1
have worked out all the details. See
here is the Destroyer itself That's
the name have given my invention.
have perfected 1t, 80 that 1t only
requires the addition OF the contents
OF this ibettie. to start IT," he explain
ed. at the same time taking bottle
filled with some liquid from shelf.
Three minues after this is added
nothing can stop an explosion. which
/, would have force enough to totally
demolish this entire building"
But. professor, said. "you have
not given me the names OF the ingre.
dents which go to make up the ex.
iplosive."
And you could hardly expect me
to do that-yet. ] must first protect
my patent rghtsand In the meantirse
must keep my secret" replied the
professor.
AS he spoke. he walked toward the
machine, which appeared similar to
large clock, and was constructed OF
heavy iron. He still held the bottle
in his hand. Suddenly. his foot
catching in a torn place in the car
pet, he was thrown violently; the
bottle fell from his hand and was
dashed to pieces against the top Of
the machine.
He arose. pale as death. and ap-
.-psared to- be terribly excited.
~ Vel Get out o. herelv he cried.