The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1917-11-08

other clubs because he insists that
Shakespeare was really james L
"Yes, It's n queer world, gvatenant;
and the oldest thing Of all Is that
when one has something OF the utmost
importance to the human race to make
public, not a single man Will take the
least interest in II. ! can't induce
single member to listen to me. How
ever, we live and let live; and. as l
said. the organization helps. But can
you dine with meT
'rve nothing particular to do this
evenlng-for the first time in years.
'Then do come In and have dinner
with me-" said the old man eagerly. u
won't pretend that I'm not going to
try and enlist your aid to save the
human race In spite Of those benight-
ed, besotted, bllnd-as-a-bat blasto-
derms In the admiralty office. because
I am. But / believe that Providence
has sent you to me, and II ] can't
make you believe me, at least i don't
want 1t said that Jonathan Roderick
Masterman went down into his grave
without warning the human race OF
what was coming.
"Slr, II the public knew 1.-THE or
what | know, they would make peace
with France-Germany? Thank yoU
and arm themselves against the most
relentless enemy that ever threatened
mankind. Sir. you will yet live to see
old Jonathan Roderick Masterson's
statue In gold, standing In front of the
capitol"
Pnget, now quite convinced that his
old friend was raving mad, followed
him into queer little building, appar-
emily combination Of club and hotel.
The smoking room, which was stu
ated on the ground floor Immediately
behind the clerks desk, was crowded
with members, all talking at once at
the top Of their voices. AS the captain
paused to enter his guests name In
the book, Paget looked In through the
drifting smoke clouds.
A dozen men had the floor, and were
gestlculatlng furlously.
Captain Masterman, having en-
tered his guests name, touched him
upon the arm,
"They're all mad, my lad, said the
old man. surveying the assemblage
with q look of pity. "No doubt you
wonder how can associate my name
with theirs. II 1t wasn't for our mag
nzlne. In which our articles appear, and
our excellent organization, i couldn't
bring myself to It,"
"Who edits the magazlne?" inquired
Donald.
"That was a matter of some diff
Guilty." replied Masterman. ut proved
impossible to find member sufficient
ly broad-mlnded to consider the others
and allow them space, and nobody
would accept my own offer to become
the editor, simply out Of professional
antagonism. Each wanted to utilize
the entire available space for his own
crazy ldeas. So we drew lots for 1t.
Fortunately, I won the edltorshlp last
month. Here is copy" he added,
picking up an attractive little publica-
tion that lay on the clerks desk.
'But am not going to talk to you
In the smoking room," continued Mas
terman, "for that atmosphere would
prejudice you against believing what
I am going to say. And must con-
vince you, my dear boy, because those
lunatlcs are utterly beyond the bounds
of reason, and much is at stake. A
cataclysm is impending which will In
evitably destroy humanity unless we
devote our common energies to the
maintenance of our lives, our liberties
and our civilization"