The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-03-31

TO the Philippines. where new dry
dock was to be constructed. and the
collier was generally supposed by
men of the waterfront to he laden with
materials for this work. And so. de-
spite the mOmentons Significance of the
sailing of these three ships. the world
remained in ignorance. paid little
heed. Or forgot.
Those voyagers who were in the
secret looked forward with cagerneSs
to the task before them. realizing to
the full that on them depended much.
And of these was Norma. who leaned
over the stern rail of the PenobscOt
as it dropped down the harbor.
watched the lights OF the city grow
dim in the distance. saw the great.
silent statue of liberty rear itself
against the sky, and felt the first free
swell lift and sway the deck beneath
her feet. Her departure had not been
pleasant.
There on the land behind was the
man whom she seemed doomed for
ever to hold ut arms length. She had
parted from him with the announce
ment that her father was compelled to
go south for a time. and had insisted
on her accompanying him. For how
long? All. that could be but conjec-
ture: perhaps for two or three months.
Was he i'll: No. not exactly: but he
was going away ana needed her Yes.
she would write occasionally from Mi
ami. Fla: bu, not often because her
charge would demand her time. And
so. answering and cyading filled with
yearning. and vet debarred from CIV
ing confidence. she had hidden him
gOod-by and come to this: Sailing
away in the night with all the furtive-
ness and mystery which enShrouded
pirate ships of old bent on plumber
and rY'ine.
The days CT the voyage were much
alike; filled with work Down in the
cabins the engineers and machinists
drew hasty plans of buildings. then
marked spots where machines were to
have floor space. drew diagrams for
transmission of power. aud consulted
charts showing the depths of water
round their prospective shipyard.
They had not even time to watch the
devious course in and out among the
islands which marked their entry TO
the scene of toll. When the pulsations
OF the screw stopped and the ship
ceased her vibrations. they were still
at their several tasks. and We're dis
turbed when the anchor chains wen.
rumbling through their hawser pipes.
Like an army Of ants. drilled and
acc!imatsd. they swa-med ont upon
the land. the Sappers clearing the way.
the carpenters dCaning their aprons
and graspinG their tools while piles of
lumber. kegs of bolts and nails. and
mountains of iron sheathing accumu-
lated upon the beach. And then. as
the ringing OF multitude of ham,
mers and the steady biting song of the
sawS filled the air with sounds of in
dHstrr. great cases of machinery
swung up from the holds. foated dir
lilly TO the bulwarkS. and went slowly
down to the lighters. 4 city Of tents
srrang up as by necromancy. with gut |
tiers to carry OF the rains. and sewers |
TO prevent disease. Camp surgeons |
accustomed to sanitation superin- |
tended these outpcsts, paying as much !
attention to the spreading of a mos
quito net to keep away the dread |
stygcnia. as to tautening the canvas |
roofs and clearing the grounds.
All available means of a resource |
full nation had been gathered together |
as an expert driver seizes the reins |
of four-in-hand and guides his horses |
along a known road to a given desti- |
nation. and all with the regularity |
which would DISTINGUISH the work had |