The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1913-07-31

nAnnlpdl PRUDENT. ex-Preeident OF
ths United Republics. was dangerous
~ III. The people walked quietly and
talked In subdued tones. ~ though
they feared to disturb him
Hannibal Prudent re scientist
whose invention had saved the coun-
try. was eishty-four years old, but he
had carried the weight OF his years
lightly and had worked increasingly
On flying trip to Labrador he had
contracted = severe cold which devel-
oped into pneumonia Just A. the dis
ease was nearing the crisis . curious
thing happened. something that had
not happened in the halfcentury
which had passed since he had put an
isolator between America and the
other continents.
A wireless message had come from
Europe.
The great man had been awakened
By the ringing Of the 4,b00mile bell on
tho small electro-stylograph that stood
By he bedside. To his astonishment
the Indicator that automatically reg
istersd the sending station pointed to
Berlin, Germany. He stared In amaze
msnt At the instrument and saw spark
following spark on its small, square,
milk-glasG plate.
He put forth = shaking hand and ad-
1usted the receiving horn. The cleo
trio sparks then formed . picture-a
moving picture that talked A man
In military uniform looked at him
from the picture and = clear voice
with German accent said in English:
Professor Prudentf"
~Yes. sir. Hannibal Prudent
Tho figure bowed reverently. Il am
Count Won Werdenstsin. As you see.
I have bored through your isolating
rays with my sparks of electricity.
This II the beginning. The next time
I talk to you there will be nothing to
keep the feet OF consolidated Europe
nom entering the ports OF the Ameri-
cas- am giving you this warning be-
cause l admire you-you we're my
honored fathers teacher"
The figure on the plato bowed again.
then vanished.
Hannibal Prudent gazed curiously
At the glass Of the apparatus, trying
to believe that he had experienced a
vision; but when he saw the words OF
Werdenstein clearly printed by the
instrument on a sheet of |
paper by the stylus he tainted. The |
vitality that could combat physical
Iuffering could not bear the menacina
news that the little instrument had
brought.
When he opened his eyes his daugh-
or Astra stood at the bedside and the
louse physician was counting his
'ulse. The scientist still held Wer-
message crumpled up In his
I'D hngers-the message that con-
eyed such crushing news. Impatient
y. Al one who knows his time Is short,
10 asked TO be left alone with his
laughter. As the door closed behind
he doctor he cried out In agony: IAN
ny hopes and all my life work are
had hoped that here
where had established 1t peace would
Ibide-peace that has spread comfort,
sontentment and happiness over our
continent; peace that created and
fortunes greater than any
'ver before known to man; peace that
permitted developments so high that
wen the boldest would not have dared
o dream them ffty years ago.
IAN this win CO." His voice failed
or . moment Read this" As the
tArtled girl read werdenstein's mes
ages he cried bitterly: They want
vengeance" He felt his own pulse.
Watching the large chronometer on
he wall opposite his bed. MY will
. In the safe In my library. Here is
he key. The Europeans think that
he Fray alone binders them from
'ntering our beloved country. but they
re mistaken" He gssped for air. 81
rili defy them again. Astra. write
THAT have to say"
His breath came gaspingly; his clear
yes grew dull; whirlwind seemed
o possess the great brain that had
zen able to create peace In America
or half a century.
Astra watched him with spprehen-
ion: she did not speak. as she real
red that II would be waste of time.
nd the short time left her adopted
Ather was precious indeed. The old
ian rested a moment. then seeing
.strA was ready. he said:
When the isolation has been brok-
n through or destroyed both are pos
Ible. II one knows howl. then new
'olations must be created. one ray
fter another. We can gain a year
lat way. and that year must be used
} prepare for war. Wari That hor.
'r VIII destroy the work Of a peace
Il country- Brt We are forced to IL: !
= viii win. and peace viii come for
rsr Plans are ready for a new craft
iat will be invincible. Navigation OF
10 air WIN solve the problem" His Il
,ice had grown 20 weak that Astra q
'uld hardly understand him. but she n
I'd taken every word down In short "
md Il
Don't Erisve when am dead o
ed In peace All my life I have bean n
true apostle OF that gospel-but
lrryi Hurry to the island Of He r
'ew himself up with his last n
rsngth. an inarticul2te sound came
ON his lips: he beckoned to Astra D
r the pencil and PAPER and forced u
. shaking hand to write one word: n
-cirynith." ran the rigzag lines OF b
. shaking old hand. then the pencil A
u nom his fingers Calm stole over II
. face OF the man who had lived for Il
70 great Idea Peace" He had found b
but his last words advised -war.~l
stra looksd sorrowingly at her IN Ia