The Washington times., 1912-03-15

lie glanced at Prof. Pludder with
a singular LOOK. Then his cheek red
dened and an angry expression came
the professor and said sternly:
You said you did not wish to discuss
Cessna Versal should not think you
, would ID Who predicted this deluge' Did
L" began Prof. Pludder. taken
oh, yes Interrupted the president
didn't predict It because You didn't see
What have we got observatories and
,, scientific societies for If they can't see
Nersal warn you? Didn't he tell you
where TO look and THAT to look for?
Didn't he show YOU his proofs?"
Well were they faliacious? Does this
spectacle OF 4 nation drowned look 'fal-
iacious' to you? Why didn't You study
,he mater until yoT Understood IL T.!
my ignorant sanction may God for
rive me for my blininess- statement
after statement, assuring the people
that were even abusive toward him who
alone should have been heard?
nothing I'oG about Il; Millions Upon mil
nate opposition to the truth, They
might have saved themselves II they
had been permitted to listen to the re-
6ad e5% OF steneS TO 6i
issued proclamation as he urged me
to do. But followed your advice-you,
in whose learning and pretended science
put blind faith! Abel Pludder,
that now rests oil yours for all the
wealth that the lost world carried
down into its watery gravel"
AS the president ceased speaking he
pressing his hands upon his throat to
suppress the sobs that broke forth do
spite his efforts. His form shook like an
aspen.
The others crowded around excitedly,
some of the women in Mysteries, and
the men not knowing what TO do or say'.
Prof. Pludder. completely overwhelmed
by the suddenness and violence of the
attack, went of by himself and sat
down with his head in his hands. After
a while he arose and approached the
President, who had not moved from his
! place on the rock.
George" he said-they had known
each other from boyhood-"I have made
alone in 1t. The majority of my col
| leagues were of my opinion, as were
all the learned societies OF Europe. No
such thing as a watery nebula has ever
been known to science. 1t was incon-
ceivable."
Some of your colleagues did not
think So" said the President. looking
but they we're not really convinced,
and they were aware that they were
flying in the face of all known laws"
| II am afraid" said the President dry
| ly, that science does not know all the
laws of the universe yet"
II repeat" resumed Prof Pludder,
| that made a fearful mistake. l have
recognized the truth too late. I accept
the awful burden of blame that rests
upon me, and 1 now wish to 40 every
thing in my power to retrieve the con-
sequences of my error"
| The President arose and grasped the
| professors hand.
Forgive me, Abel" he said, with
| emotion, IF l have spoken too much in
tence. I was overwhelmed by the
| thought OF the inconceivable calamity
that has come upon us. believe that
| you acted consCientiousy and accord
ing to your best lights, and 1t is not for
any mortal to judge you for an error
thus committed. Let us think only OF
what we must do now"
TO that thought" responded Pro-
fessor Pludder. returning the pressure
of the Presidents hand, II shall devote
all my energy. II l can save only this
little party l shall have done some
thing in the way of atonement."
1t was deep humiliation for a man
of Prof. Pludder's proud and uncom-
promising nature to confess that he
had committed an error more fearful in
it's consequences than had ever beer
laid at the door of a human being, but
Cosmo Versal had rightly judged hin
when he assured Joseph Smith that
Pludder was morally sound and, in a
scientific sense. had the root of the
matter in him When his mental vision
was clear and unclouded by prejudice
no one was more capable of high
achievements.
He quickly proved his capacity nov
as he had already proved II during the
preceding adventures of the President'I
party. 1t was perfectly plain to hin
that their only chance was In getting Il
Colorado at the earliest possible mo,
ment. The Eastern part Of the cont,