The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-12-04
HydrOg0n's
Discovery.
BY M. Downey.

EES2S15255S1515251 S9S25255SE52Sa56
sat in my office in New York, one
afternoon late in November, with a
letter on my desk. 1t was from my
sister
siCome home" she said, "and spend
Thanksgiving with us. You have
made excuses before, but don't do so
this time. Drop business for 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
day. 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 time
felt 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. had calculated
TO arrive there about mid afternoon.
and to reach Beverly, my destination,
about six O'Clock Then for brisk
drive. or sleigh ride, three miles over
the hills 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 snowstorm had set in, and bid
fair to continue all day.
A tall man, wearing glasses, and
having a 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-
garding 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
to be left to my reflections. Present
ly he rose and came over to where /
was sitting. Seating himself in the
vacant place beside me he asked:
"How far are you going2"
Boston / replied.
That's my destination also" he
said. do you stay there?"
NO. I answered. II go on to Bev-
erly."
He then handed me card, which
read: Professor Hydrogen, Chemist
and Inventor" This aroused m, in
terest, and I gave the professor my
card. We talked for a while about
chemistry, on which he seemed well
posted.
Are you interested in explosive?"
he finally asked, in a confidential
manner
replied that had read a good
deal en- the subject, as it was sci
ence which interested me very much.
'tCan you spare time. when we get
to Boston, to come with me to my
laboratory? I will show you some
thing which ! am sure you will re-
gard as the wonder of the century.
You viii have time enough 10 get
your train. l will not keep you long. .
I readily agreed to accompany aim,
as ! would have an hour to spare, and
this was a chance of seeing some
marvel recently discovered.
Upon our arrival at Boston we
made orr way through the crowded
station 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 a short time be used
throughout the world.
Dynamite and gunpowder," he
said, will no longer be in use when
my new product is given chance to
show what it 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 it, light being furnished
by means of single gas jet. which
was Kept burning at all times.
This is my laboratory" said my
host. with pride. ''This is where my
idea first came to ime. and where I
have worked out all the details. See
here is the Destroyer itself. That's
the name have given my invention.
lave perfected 1t. so that 1t only