CHAPTER XI
It was 1:25 dial when the Chicago Pneumatic glided noiselessly into theswitching section at Washington. Seizing their grips and coats, theparty moved out on to the platform of the sleeper. In a moment the hugetrain had been raised by the hydraulic lift, and was soon standing inthe depot of the capital of the United States.
What a beautiful and fairy-like scene presented itself to Junius Cobb!A depot of magnificent proportions, exquisite workmanship and finish,and possessing a hundred conveniences never dreamed of in his time.The great vaulted roof was set with thousands of electric lights whichappeared like brilliant stars in the firmament. Thousands more, inevery direction and in every conceivable place, made the vast chamberas bright as the midday sun.
At the barriers of the discharging section a great but orderly crowdwas pushing and elbowing its way to a closer position at the gate. AllWashington knew that Junius Cobb, the man of two centuries ago, wouldarrive on that particular train, and a great multitude had congregatedto catch a glimpse of him.
As he passed through the gates, while the police pushed back thecrowd, he heard their exclamations and remarks:
"There he is!"
"Where?"
"There, with Commissioner Rawolle--on his left."
"I believe him to be a fake."
"Oh, he's a toola!"
"He has never slept a hundred years!"
"Isn't he a young man to have lived so long?"
"What's the matter with you? he didn't live, he just slept."
"They say he is an officer in the army yet."
"Well, people will be gulled!"
Thus were the expressions bandied about, and fell upon the ears of Cobbin a harsh and unpleasant manner. He was not flattered by the remarkshe heard. Already, it seemed, there was a desire to doubt his identity.
As they neared the center of the hall, someone in the crowd cried:"Junius Cobb! Junius Cobb! Three cheers for Junius Cobb!" And thebuilding rang and echoed back the salutation. Surely this wasflattering. His reception, after all, was not without sincerity on thepart of many of that vast throng.
A step or two more, and Cobb and Rawolle entered an electric drag,while Lyman bade them good-night, or rather good-morning, and hurriedaway to report.
Away, and at a rapid gait, sped the drag, its wheels of rubbergiving no sound on the elastic pavement of the street, its headlightflashing out a brilliant beam, while ever and anon the driver caused amuffled-toned gong, whose sound was low and musical, to indicate theapproach of the carriage.
Looking from the window on his side, Cobb saw to what extent streetillumination had progressed in a hundred years. At every fifty feet,on either side, were arc lamps; and this at two in the morning, whenthose of the shops were extinguished. No gas lights were visible. Itwas a September morning, but the air was mild and balmy, and it seemedlike a morning in early spring. Many people were upon the street, andthe electric drags, with their flashing lights and musical gongs, werepassing in every direction.
At exactly 1:42 dial the drag stopped under the arch of the entranceto the President's mansion, and Junius Cobb was received by the chiefmagistrate of the United States.
Emory D. Craft, President of the United States, was a tall, rotund, andpleasant gentleman of over sixty years of age. His head was massive,and his features square and clean-cut; his hair almost white, and abeard heavy and gray. A man of great perception, executive ability,true kindness, and wisdom, he ruled the greatest nation on earth as aloving father rules his household, with justice and firmness.
As Rawolle and Cobb alighted, he descended the steps, and, advancing,extended his hand to the former, exclaiming:
"I welcome you back, Mr. Rawolle."
"Thank you, sir; and let me present Mr. Junius Cobb."
"Mr. Cobb, I cannot express to you the pleasure of this meeting;" andthe President shook the young man's hand heartily. "Be assured thatyour remarkable, nay, wonderful, case has been uppermost in my mindsince first I became aware of your existence."
"Nor can I, Mr. President, express the gratification I feel in meetingand shaking the hand of the chief magistrate of this great nation,especially when that magistrate is ruling the country a hundred andforty years after my birth."
Cobb seemed proud of the fact that he, of all the world, could makesuch a statement.
A few moments later, the President and Cobb were sitting before aglowing, cheerful fire, engaged in earnest conversation.
Mr. Rawolle had been dismissed by the President, and had hastened tothe welcome he knew awaited him from his wife and children.
"There, Mr. President," said Cobb, after a long recital of his life andthe facts attending his entombment on Mt. Olympus, "you have the wholestory. It is a remarkable one, is it not?"
"Stranger than any fiction I ever read," he exclaimed. "I can scarcelybelieve that I behold the intimate friend and contemporary of mygreat-grandfather in the person of one so young as you."
He looked at Cobb in wonder and awe.
"And are you the great-grandson of Hugh Craft, my dear old friend of1887?" cried Cobb with joy, as if a new tie had been found to bind himto this new world.
"Yes; here is our family history." He arose and went to the cabinet,and returned with a large book. "Read it;" opening it and handing it tothe other; "you will there see the history of your friend." He placedhis finger on the page.
Cobb read slowly, and like one in a dream, this page of the history ofthe dead--this chronicle of the life of his chum and bosom friend.
"First Lieutenant, Captain, Major," he read, "killed at the battle ofOttawa, August 5, 1917."
He read it over twice; then suddenly turning to the President, he cried:
"A soldier's death! A noble ending to a noble man! But what battle isthis in which he died?"
"'Tis a long story--too long for to-night," the President replied;"but, in brief, it was the decisive termination of English powerin North America. Canada desired annexation to the United States:England opposed it. British troops were massed on Canadian soil, andshe endeavored to prevent the loss of her colonies. War between theCanadians and the mother country followed. We looked on, but offeredno assistance. It was not until the cry for freedom became a wail ofmisery and a piteous appeal for succor, that we interfered. We offeredEngland $500,000,000 for the whole of her possessions in North America.The offer was refused with contempt. Indignation prevailed throughoutthe United States, and public opinion demanded that assistance be givento the suffering people in their struggle for freedom. Great Britainwas notified by joint resolution of Congress of March 22, 1917, toevacuate Canada and all territory between the boundaries of the UnitedStates and parallel fifty-one degrees of north latitude. The demand wasrefused; and on April 2, in full Congress, war was declared againstEngland. For twenty-five years, or from about 1890, this country hadbeen building first-class ships of war, fortifying its coast andputting the nation in a condition to enforce its demands."
"They hadn't done much in my time," broke in Cobb, with a thought ofthe utterly defenseless condition of the country in 1887.
"No," continued the President; "but Congress, as you can see byreferring to history, in 1890 awoke to the necessity of nationalprotection. In 1917, we could and did enforce our demand. The war wasshort but terrible. England's great but slow floating fortresses wereno match for our harbor vessels. She never gained entrance to a singleport of note, but lost many of her finest ships in the attempt. Onland, of course, the effect of our arms was more rapid. An army marchedacross the border, and the decisive battle of Ottawa was fought.Here was gathered all of England's force of occupation. On August 5,1917, her army was utterly routed, and laid down its arms. With theloss of her American army, and the destruction of many of her finestiron-clads, England asked for terms. By the protocol of October 16th,England, in consideration of $250,000,000, relinquished, forever,all possessions on the continent of North America, together with allnational property, fortifications, etc."
"And
poor Craft never lived to see the fruits of his nation's courage,"said Cobb.
"No; he died in the charge of his regiment." And then, after a pause:"But Hugh Craft still lives. I will introduce him to you to-morrow--donot ask any questions," as Cobb was about to interrupt him--"to-morrow,or rather to-day; and until then, you must sleep."
It was 4 dial when Cobb was shown to his apartments.
The next morning Cobb was awakened from a refreshing slumber by a voicesinging:
"He sleeps; he wakes; the hour is late. Arise, get up! the clock strikes eight."
Springing quickly from his bed, he glanced around the room. Again thesong and words, and again he looked, but saw no one. Wondering much atthe occurrence, he proceeded with his toilet.
At 8:45 he was with the President at breakfast, and had been introducedto Mrs. Craft and her lovely daughter, Mollie.
"Papa says he has taken complete possession of you, Mr. Cobb; and I amso glad, for I want you to tell me so much about those queer old daysso long ago;" and she gave him a pleasant smile.
"We are delighted, dear Mr. Cobb, to have you with us. You mustconsider this your home now, for you have no other, you know;" and goodMrs. Craft spoke in a motherly tone of voice.
"And, of course, you will want a sister;" Mollie Craft cast her eyesdown in a shy manner.
"Yes," said Mr. Craft, with evident pleasure and hope in his voice."We want you to feel that you have not left all your friends in thatdistant age. We desire you to consider this your home as long as itshall please you to do so. My wife and I will endeavor to be a motherand a father to you; our daughter, a sister; our son, a brother."
Mollie Craft was a lovely girl of nineteen years--tall, dark, androbust. She was possessed of a clear skin, sparkling eyes, andbeautiful teeth. She was accomplished, and a leader among the youngladies of her set. Her disposition was frank, kind, and retiring. Nowonder that Cobb's eyes often wandered in her direction during thatbreakfast! It seemed to him that he had never before seen so lovely aface and figure, nor such charming ways as Mollie Craft was mistressof. Yes, there was one face that held just comparison with that beforehim; there was one figure that matched the symmetry of Mollie Craft;but, alas! she was no more! The queen was dead, but the princess lived!So passed the thoughts in his mind.
Adjourning to the President's library, for Mr. Craft loved to havehis family about him while he smoked his after-breakfast cigar, theconversation proceeded with animation, but always with Cobb as thecentral figure.
"A Captain in the army, a Colonel up a tree; Quite soon I'll be a Major, as you can plainly see."
As the words came forth in a free though quiet manner, a young manentered the door, stopped, and then, bowing, exclaimed:
"Pardon me; I did not know that you had company."
Junius Cobb looked up; then, starting from his seat with a white andperplexed expression, sprang toward the stranger, who, in astonishment,drew half back through the door.
"Hugh Craft! How came you here?"
Recovering himself, the man replied, but with embarrassment:
"Well! that's very good, indeed! Asking a man what he is doing in hisown father's house!" and he gave a quiet, undecided laugh.
"Mr. Cobb, my son. Hugh, this is Mr. Junius Cobb; you know who he is,"with emphasis on the pronoun.
Junius Cobb rubbed his eyes in confusion. He comprehended the situationat once, and also remembered the President's words of the night before,when he said, "Hugh Craft still lives."
Hugh Craft bowed, and moved behind his sister's chair, and whispered:
"Is he dangerous?"
Cobb, as he turned around, overheard the words, and smiled.
"No, Hugh," he exclaimed; "not dangerous, but amazed. You are theexact image and counterpart of him who was my dearest and best friend,your--" he hesitated a moment--"your great-great-grandfather."
Hugh and Mollie looked bewildered, while Mr. Craft's face wore a smile.The situation was too comical, and all burst into a hearty laugh, Cobbjoining the others.
"It is funny, is it not, to hear me talking of having been the friendand chum of this man's great-great-grandfather?"
A few moments and everything had been fully explained to Hugh, who hadbeen absent a week, and had not heard that Cobb was at the executivemansion.
"Dear brother," said Mollie, as she put her arms about the young man'sneck and kissed him, "I want you and Mr. Cobb to be brothers; to be toeach other as your great-great-grandfather and he were long years ago."
"Hugh," said his father, "as you have returned so opportunely, youcan take charge of Mr. Cobb--Junius, let us call him, if he does notobject--until time for the reception. I have some work to attend to,and I know Junius will excuse me--will you not?" to him.
"Certainly. Do not let my presence interfere with your work; and let methank you for calling me Junius. I hope you will always continue to doso."
For an hour these three--Hugh, Junius, and Mollie--sat and chatted. ToCobb it seemed very home-like and most pleasant, and his companionsso kind and natural. Hugh was so like that other Hugh, and Mollie socharming and witty, that he scarcely realized, as Hugh looked at hiswatch and said that they had better dress, that an hour had passed away.
On their way to their rooms, Cobb suddenly said:
"By the bye, Hugh, I wish to ask you a question. This morning, as I wasabout to arise, I heard someone singing in my room. It was not a verymelodious voice, but nevertheless clear and distinct; something like'Get up, arise; the hour is late!' Can you explain it?"
"Nothing easier. It was my old phonograph clock--one I picked up at apawn-shop one day--a relic of fifty years back;" and he laughed at thethought of his friend's perplexity at hearing the words ground out ofthe machine.
"Why did I not think of that?" petulantly. "Why, they were just gettingthem out in 1887. Do you not have them now?"
"No; we have something better. The electric clock companies of everycity run their wires to nearly every house in their towns, and tothese wires are attached electric clocks. The resident buys the clockfor five dollars, and pays twenty-five cents a month for its use. Atthe central station, a large clock of the finest make, and absolutelycorrect in its time, causes all the others to follow its movements.Thus every house has a dial which records correctly and requires nocare. It is simple, cheap, and beneficial."
At the President's reception, at 11 dial, Junius Cobb was the lion ofthe hour. Senators gave him every attention; the foreign ambassadorstreated him as a man of the greatest distinction; the army and navylaughed, chatted, and petted him.
Just after the introductions of the Senators, Tsu-nan-li, the Ministerfrom China, and dean of the diplomatic corps, approached and bowed lowto the President; the latter, also, bowing low, in acknowledgment ofthe salutation, said:
"O Soelal obik! Daelolsoes obe nuikoen mani yunik olse kela sava milagik dedeil penunols, fuliko, nen dot."[1]
[1] "My Lord: Permit me, if you please, to present to you the young man of whose wonderful rescue from death you have been fully informed, no doubt."
As the President made the introduction, Cobb gave a slight start athearing him speak in Volapuek; then a smile of pleasure came over hisface.
Bowing to the young man, the Minister expressed his pleasure at themeeting by saying:
"O Soel obik loefik! Panunob das pebinols bevue pedeiloelsis balmil joeltumjoelsevel, kaleda olsik. In ols logob oni, kel pegoenom fa Confucius eBuddha god, in dat padaelols denu getoen luti lifa. Ogivols stimi obe favisitoel obi ven plidos-la olsi koemoen."[2]
[2] "My dear sir: I am informed that you have been among the dead since 1887 of your calendar. I see in you one who has been favored by Confucius and the god Buddha, in that you are permitted again to receive the air of life. You will do me an honor by visiting me when it may please you to come."
Seeing the President about to translate the words of Tsu-nan-li, Cobbquickly interrupted him, and, smiling at his ability to meet
at leastone of the requirements of this new age, said:
"O Soel President, ed ols, Soelal obik! No stunolsoes liloen obi gepuekoen inpuek egebols. Lesevob, aes jen lefulnik, ut kel paebuesagos aeyelos lemoedik,das tim aekoemomoev ven valik nets kulik aecaelomsoev volapueki. Kloedoel das etdel no aebinom fago, aestudob at puek, ed adelo logob bizugi osa."[3]
[3] "Mr. President, and you, my Lord: Do not be astonished to hear me reply in the language you have employed. I recognize as an accomplished fact that which was prognosticated a great many years ago: that the time would come when all civilized nations would employ a universal language. Believing that that day was not far off, I studied this language, and to-day see the advantage of it."
An expression of astonishment overspread the faces of the other twogentlemen, and the President exclaimed, gleefully:
"Good enough, Cobb! There's one thing of the past equal to the present."
The others claiming attention, no more was said, and the throng ofvisitors met, were introduced to and passed the President and JuniusCobb.
A little later a party of officers were talking to Cobb near the grandstairway. Speculation was rife as to what his position in the armywould be, knowing that he had been dropped for desertion years ago. Thediscussion was animated, though Cobb himself took no active part in it.
"Ah! Cobb, my boy," and a tall young man, in the full regimentals of acaptain in the Second Cavalry--Cobb's old regiment--came forward andfamiliarly slapped him on the shoulder:
"I have been looking for you. Hugh informs me that you will undoubtedlybe restored to your rank in the army; in fact, he says that they can'thelp giving you your commission again."
"Ah!" from Cobb, as he looked the other in the face.
"Yes," smiling. "And you will be my lieutenant, for I command your oldtroop of the Second. You will be a boed seledik (rare bird) to us in theSecond, and, as I am ordered to join my regiment on the 10th of nextmonth, I intend applying to have you ordered back with me."
Several smiled at the young captain's cool impudence, but Cobb simplybowed in recognition of the other's desire for his company to hisregiment.
Captain Hathaway, of the Second Cavalry, was twenty-eight years of age,tall in stature, slight in build, and wearing a little, light mustache.With a glass in his eye, and a voice which sounded low and sweet, hewas, with all his known cool impudence, a right clever fellow. But hehad taken a dislike to Junius Cobb--and why?
"Yes, Mr. Cobb," taking up the army style of address to lieutenants,"I fear you will have to give up your good times here and join me. Ofcourse they cannot refuse my request," with a new adjustment of hiseyeglass.
"Mr. Hathaway--"
"_Captain_, sir; Captain Hathaway. You forget you are addressing yourtroop commander;" with dignity.
A flush overspread Cobb's face, and he bit his lip to keep fromreplying in hot terms to this uncalled-for insolence.
"Captain Hathaway, you will join your regiment before the 10th, and Iwill not be with you. Good morning." He turned on his heel and movedtoward a group near the President.
With a laugh at the blank and crushed expression of the young Captain,the others sauntered away.
"Damme! but that's cool. Going to order his Captain to his regiment,eh! Going to get me out of the way and take my girl. Well, I guessnot!" and he, too, moved off.
At lunch, after the reception and departure of the guests, Cobblaughingly referred to the little incident of the morning. ThePresident expressed his disapprobation of the Captain's behavior, andtold Cobb that he would give the young man a lesson in politeness.
According to their programme, the office of the Secretary of War wasvisited at 13:30 dial, and Cobb was introduced to Mr. Fowler, theurbane but quick-spoken Secretary. Here he learned much concerninghimself, and a great deal in regard to the state of the nation forpurposes of offense and defense.
"Yes," continued the Secretary, in answer to a question from Cobb,"your status has been investigated, and it is found that you weredropped from the army, as a deserter, December 1, 1904, under theprovisions of section 1,229, Revised Statutes. But when the wonderfulfacts attending your return to life, and the existence and tenor ofyour leave of absence, given in 1887, had been fully laid before theSupreme Court, sitting in bank, yesterday, a decree was formulated thatyou have never been out of service--that is, legally. You, therefore,Mr. Cobb, revert back to your status as a Lieutenant in the SecondCavalry."
Cobb meditatively admitted that perhaps Captain Hathaway would, afterall, take him back to the regiment on the 10th of the following month.
"But," and the Secretary looked inquiringly at the President, whonodded assent, "you would have been the ranking Major in the cavalryarm in 1918, the year you would have retired for age, according to thelaw at that date."
"Yes, you are quite right, Mr. Secretary, I would have been a Major;but I never expected to have been the senior. Promotion at that timewas slow beyond measure--stagnated. Old men with grown-up families werestill Lieutenants, while the majority of Captains were old, rheumatic,and unable to perform their duty. Lieutenants did all the work." Cobbseemed to revert back in disgust at the state of promotion in 1887.
"As you would have been retired as the ranking Major," slowly continuedthe Secretary, paying no attention to Cobb's remarks, but with apleasant air at the news he was about to communicate, "the Presidenthas been guided by a sense of the justice due you, and has nominatedyou to the Senate as such, to rank at the head of the list. Further,as a vacancy exists in the grade of Lieutenant-Colonel, your promotionto that rank follows as a natural course. The Senate will confirm thenomination at 16 dial. Allow me, Colonel Cobb, to congratulate you,"and the good old man clasped the hand of the new Lieutenant-Colonel;nor was the President slow in his congratulations. Both seemed to havetaken a special interest in Cobb.
He, in his turn, expressed his sincere thanks for their kindness tohim, and was highly elated at the good fortune attending his new life.
"By the records," continued Mr. Fowler, "you are thirty-three years ofage, for you entered the cataleptic state at that age; and it has beendecided that the period of your inanimation shall not in any manner becounted against you. A Lieutenant-Colonel at thirty-three, the youngestin the army, you will one day command the army of the United States."And he smiled kindly, while the President looked admiringly upon hisprotege.
Then, for an hour, the Secretary gave Colonel Cobb a brief history ofthe army during the hundred and odd years which had passed.
"We have, to-day," said he, "a population of over 500,000,000 ofpeople, occupying sixty-eight States and nine Territories, covering thewhole of North America from the Isthmus of Panama to the Arctic, andfrom the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean."
"This is a vast and wonderful increase since the census of 1880,"exclaimed Cobb. "Why, I remember, in 1887, that the most sanguinestatistician estimated only 67,000,000 for the next census, that of1890."
"True," returned the Secretary. "That was above the exact figure;if I remember correctly, it was only 64,987,504. But even thatpopulation was a trifle more than twenty-five per cent. increase uponthe census of 1880. The ratio of increase since we were a nation ofonly 3,000,000, averaged about thirty per cent. until the year 1900.In 1910 it fell to twenty-two per cent., but the next census, that of1920, showed an increase of thirty-four per cent. The reason for thisgreat increase is found in the fact that in 1915 the United Statesacquired Mexico and all Central America, with its population of over20,000,000 souls, and in 1917, after the conquest, the whole of BritishAmerica, with 10,000,000 more. Our population was, by the census of1920--counting in 30,000,000 people acquired--137,000,000. The increasesince 1890 has averaged only 18.5 per cent, every ten years, or lessthan two per cent. a year."
"And is not the country somewhat crowded by this great mass of people?"inquired Cobb.
"By no means; there is room for double the number--yes, treble as many.The great States of Slave, Saskatchewan, Manitoba,
Assiniboia, and westof the isothermal line of thirty-eight degrees are teeming with peopleengaged in agriculture."
"What is the strength of the army required to protect the country frominternal violence, and for a cadre of a full army?" asked Cobb.
"Our army consists of 148,000 men only, comprising 70,000 infantry,28,000 cavalry, and 50,000 artillery. The maintenance and distributionof this force is very different from what it was during the years whenthe country was new and sparsely inhabited. The artillery is along thesea-board, and is a full-paid army. The enlisted portion serve forthree years at a time, and are paid at a fixed rate of $20 per monthfor the privates. The infantry and cavalry are distributed among theStates; each State and the Territories of North and South Alaska, andIndian, has one regiment of infantry and a battalion of cavalry (400).The posts are near the great centers of the States, and from them thetroops can be quickly transported to the scene of any disturbance.Each governor has authority to order out his State garrison for thepreservation of life or property, or to quell riot or disorder in hisState. The posts are large and handsome, and with fine and sufficientquarters for officers and men. The social standing of the soldier isequal to that of the citizen, except that, as a soldier, full andimplicit obedience to his officers is required and maintained. Thefood is excellent, and well cooked and served; the uniform is of thebest material. Now, Colonel, I will explain the system: The infantryand cavalry posts are schools for the instruction of the youth of thecountry. The period of service is three years, and the strength ofeach garrison strictly maintained. The regiments are recruited whollyfrom the State they are in, and do not leave that State to garrisonother posts. This applies only to the enlisted portion of the army; theofficers hold life positions, and are promoted lineally in their ownbranch of the service. They are moved from station to station everythree years, but never returning to a station at which they had servedbefore. The pay of the army of instruction, or 'Inland Army,' as itis named, is $5 per month per man, regardless of grade, and $100 upondischarge after three years of faithful service. Every year the Statefurnishes 500 young men who have passed the physical examination, andthey are sworn into the service of the United States."
"But how are these men found? Do they voluntarily enlist?" broke inCobb.
"Not all, though many do, in order to get their service in. Each Statekeeps a complete record of every male in its territory--his age,occupation, and physical condition. From a list of all those betweentwenty-one and twenty-four years of age, is selected, by chance,the yearly quota for military service, less the number of voluntaryenlistments; and no one so selected can avoid the three years' serviceat the State post; nor do they try, I might add, for no excuse butphysical incapacity will avail to free them from this duty to the Stateand Union. From every walk in life they come--the rich, the poor, theworker and the young man of leisure. If a son is the only support of afamily, the State supplies a substitute. Except in time of war, theyare never called upon again for military service. This is what makesthe soldier the equal of the civilian. If a name is once selected andthe man does not report, being at the time a resident of the State,he is declared a deserter, and punished as such. To their officersthese men are obedient and respectful; with the civilian, they are sonsof the State, and their duty honorable in the extreme. Desertion isalmost unknown; but when it does occur, the offender receives the fixedpunishment of twenty years in the government island prison."
"And the government pays these men?" asked Cobb.
"No; the pay proper and subsistence is paid by the State, buteverything else is furnished by the government."
"And their duties, what are they?"
"They are taught all the duties of a soldier; they make marches frompoint to point, and diffuse a military feeling among the people; theylearn to ride, to use their arms, and to become able, if the timeoccurs, to impart this instruction to others. They are a guard againstinterior violence in the State, and their presence tends to keep alivethat little spark of military ardor which should never be allowed todie, even in a country deemed ever so secure from foreign invasion."
"A system both great and useful!" exclaimed Cobb. "But how are theartillery regiments kept full?"
"By enlistment only. The applications far exceed the demands. Themajority come from the Inland Army, from those who are poor and fromthose who have taken a fancy to a military life."
"And the officers--how are they appointed?"
"They are taken from the non-commissioned officers who have completedtheir three years' service and are desirous of becoming officers. Fromthe number of non-commissioned officers of each regiment competing,the five who lead in the examinations are sent to the United Statesmilitary school and pursue a three years' course of study. From thisclass, in the order of their standing, are filled the vacanciesexisting on New-Year's-Day of each year, the remainder of the classbeing discharged."
"Will you tell me what kind of arms are now used?" asked Cobb.
"For infantry, the service rifle and milag cartridge; for cavalrythe same, but shorter and lighter, besides a pistol using the milagcartridge of calibre 35. The artillery use nothing but the heavy guns,which are of different styles and for different purposes. Some are forlipthalene, others for lipthalene and meteorite, and still others usingmeteorite alone."
"What! did I understand you to say meteorite?" and Cobb looked at theSecretary with a surprised and earnest expression, while his handnervously grasped the back of his chair.
"Yes; certainly. Is there anything strange in the name, that you shouldlook at me so doubtingly?"
"No; I suppose not," settling back in his chair.
"But you appeared very much surprised."
"Yes?"
"Yes; have you seen this explosive? But no; you could not have seen it.It did not come to the notice of the government until after your time."
"Will you show me one of these milag cartridges?"
"Certainly."
He rang a bell and ordered a box of milag cartridges sent to him inthe office. When the Secretary had received them, he gave one to Cobb,saying:
"This small bullet does not look much like a cartridge, does it?"
Cobb took it and carefully examined it.
It was precisely similar to those he had sent to Washington in 1887.Smiling to himself, he turned his eyes first upon the President andthen upon the Secretary.
"When did you say these were invented?" he asked, in an unconcernedmanner.
"I can soon tell you."
Rising and taking a book from the shelf, he quickly found the historyof the milag cartridge, and read:
"'Milag cartridge; from the Volapuek word _milag_, "wonderful." Acartridge using meteorite as an explosive; usual charge for 40 calibre,one and one-third grains; initial velocity, 3,562; range, fourmiles. Meteorite was discovered in 1899, and the formula sold to thegovernment by John Otis, chief clerk to the Chief of Ordnance.'"
"Chief of Ordnance?" broke in Cobb, quickly.
"Yes; Chief of Ordnance. But have you read this?"
"No, sir."
"But there certainly is some mystery here!" exclaimed the President,highly interested in the conversation.
Cobb took his penknife from his pocket, and slowly opening it, said:
"If I cut this black cement in the base of the bullet, I come to themeteorite; am I correct?"
"Yes."
"And it is white." And he cut the cement carefully away and disclosedthe little disc of fulminate and the white explosive surrounding it.
"Strange!" cried both of the others together, surprised that he shouldknow the color of an explosive invented after his time.
"Have you any nitric acid?" asked Cobb.
"Yes; here is a little," and Secretary Fowler handed him a small bottlecontaining the nitric acid used in testing at the War Department.
Dipping a twisted paper into the liquid, Cobb let fall a single drop ofthe acid on the explosive in the bullet; then moving toward the window,which he threw open, he str
uck a match and said:
"If I understand this meteorite, it will, upon the application offlame, dissipate itself in vapor, but not explode."
"Hold, Colonel!" cried Mr. Fowler, in great alarm, as he and thePresident drew back. "It will explode and tear your hand into pieces."
It was too late. Holding his hand containing the bullet well outthrough the window, he touched the flame to the cartridge. A slightflash from the fulminate followed, and then the meteorite disappearedin a colorless gas. Holding aloft the empty bullet, he exultingly cried:
"Was I not right when I claimed a knowledge of this explosive?"
Then Junius Cobb explained how he had discovered this compound; howhe had transmitted it to the Chief of Ordnance in 1887, and therestrictions he had placed upon that office regarding the sealed packetcontaining the formula. Time passed, and he had been dropped fordesertion, but the sealed packet still remained in the office of theChief of Ordnance. It had been opened, and a subordinate in that officehad stolen his secret, sold it to the government, and reaped immensereward and honor. But Cobb had no ill-feeling against the man; he haddied long years ago; and what did this theft avail him at that moment?
"You are a wonderful man, my dear Colonel; and I believe that, in thedim past, you conceived the idea of many of our greatest inventions ofto-day."
President Craft arose from his seat as he spoke.
Thanking Secretary Fowler for his kindness, Cobb turned to thePresident and asked:
"Is it time to take our departure?"
"Yes, Colonel." Then, turning to the Secretary, he said: "By the way,Mr. Fowler, be so kind as to have an order made out directing CaptainHathaway, Second Cavalry, to report to Colonel Cobb to-night fororders; send it at once."
"Sir, I will attend to it immediately."
"Then, Mr. Fowler, we will say good afternoon."
"Good afternoon, gentlemen;" and then to Cobb: "Come and see me,Colonel, whenever you feel inclined."
In fifteen minutes they were back at the executive mansion.
After partaking of a cup of coffee, as was the President's custom atthat hour, they entered the drag again, and were rapidly propelledtoward the Capitol.
Cobb noticed the handsome exterior of the buildings, their beautifularchitecture and harmonious coloring.
Pennsylvania Avenue was, indeed, a beautiful thoroughfare. Itsbuildings were large and grand; great hotels, clubs, bazars, churches,and theatres were thrown together in one complex but magnificent order.Over the sidewalk, on either side, and also covering the cross-streets,was a glass canopy supported by pillars of the same material,handsomely carved and finished. The windows and doors were grand intheir size; and what seemed strange and dangerous to Cobb, no sashwas to be observed; nothing but great panes of glass, some white andclear, others of various hues.
The streets and walks were as clean as a parlor floor, and noobstructions were to be seen upon them. The pavement was of a soft graytint, and like a felt blanket in its appearance. The sidewalks werelaid in tessellated work of all the hues of the solar spectrum. Statuesand works of art were everywhere observable. Great trees ranged oneither side, while beautiful plants and green grass plats surroundedmany of the buildings.
As the rays of the sun in the west fell upon the buildings, theywere reflected back to the opposite side of the street, again andagain reflected, and the eye of Cobb beheld the parallel lines ofPennsylvania Avenue adorned with millions of sparkling, dancing lights,meeting at the farther end in one great diamond whose lustre couldalmost compare with the sun itself.
Ah! what a grand sight!--worthy of a life of inanimation for a thousandyears. Cobb feasted his eyes on the beauty of the scene. Lost in theecstasy of the moment, he was rudely awakened to a sense of the realityby the President remarking:
"It is a grand sight, is it not?"
"Yes! yes, indeed! Grand beyond expression!"
"This street, Colonel Cobb, is said to be the handsomest in the world."
"I can well believe it! I cannot conceive of one that could be morebeautiful."
"And yet, Colonel, it is all glass."
"Glass?"
"Yes; plain, cheap, common glass."
"You mystify me! You do not mean to tell me that these magnificentbuildings are built of glass?"
"The buildings, walks, streets, and nearly everything visible to youreye is of glass."
President Craft enjoyed the look of amazement and incredulity whichoverspread the other's face.
"Surely you are jesting with me! Glass is no substance for any of thesepurposes."
"Remember," slowly, "you are in the year 2000. That which wasimpossible, unheard of, to you in 1887, may be possible and common withus to-day."
"True! I find I must accept as possible every theory and propositionadvanced, until it is, by undeniable evidence, totally disproved.But blame me not if doubt sometimes arises. Will you stop the drag amoment?"
"Certainly," was the puzzled answer.
Turning his head to the driver in the rear, he ordered the drag stoppedat the curb.
In front of the entrance to the Dom Kanitoel Legletik (Grand OperaHouse), by the side of two tall and elaborately carved pillars coveredwith fine and thread-like filigree work, the drag came to a standstill.Without a word of explanation, Cobb sprang from his seat, walked up tothe nearest pillar and dashed the heel of his boot against a beautifulrose of pure white. A look of triumph came into his eyes. They mightmake it to appear like glass, but it was not glass! The beautiful roselay crushed against its stem, its delicate petals bent and twisted, andits leaves flattened together.
The President comprehended the young man's motive, and smiled. As Cobbagain entered the drag, the President said, but kindly:
"You have destroyed that beautiful glass rose, and because you doubtedme."
"Blame me not for doubting, kind sir, nor blame me for investigating.Without investigation we could never arrive at a certain knowledge ofthe truth or falsity of any proposition."
"And you have investigated?"
"Yes."
"And proved--"
"That glass is not the component part of that pillar," with confidence.
"One word will dispel that illusion." Mr. Craft spoke very deliberately.
"Speak it, then, I pray you," with greater astonishment than ever.
"Malleability!"
Like a flash of lightning, the conviction of the truth of thePresident's words fell upon the doubting man's mind. Malleable glass!that _ignis-fatuus_ which had caused men's minds to turn from reason toinsanity; had caused chemists and philosophers throughout the knownworld to struggle for years and years, and finally go down to theirgraves with their hopes unfulfilled; that art which was said to havebeen known in the third century, during the reign of Tiburon--had beenagain discovered and made known to mankind.
"And is all of this of malleable glass?" still with wonder.
"All. The art has been known for over fifty years. It is common glass,composed of silica, lime, barytes, etc., to which is added nitrateof zesued and coloring matter. It is cheaper than wood or any of themetals, is about the weight of copper, and has its strength andmalleability. It is made into every conceivable form and shape, and hasalmost entirely taken the place of the cheaper metals where temper andextreme rigor are not desired. It never tarnishes, decays, or breaks.When exposed to the inclemencies of the weather, it is as bright to-dayas it was yesterday, or years ago."
Wonderful, indeed, were the inventions of the twentieth century!
At 16:5 dial the President's electric drag glided evenly andnoiselessly out of Pennsylvania Avenue, rounded the corner, and stoppedat the grand entrance to the Dom Lon, or Capitol, of the United States.
An hour was passed in visiting the three houses of Congress, and Cobbcarefully noted the working of the national legislature.
On the way home, the President said:
"There is a Senate of 136 members, or two from each State, presidedover by the First Vice-President; two lower
houses of 400 and280 members, respectively, presided over by the Second and ThirdVice-Presidents. The Smadom, or lower house, is that body in which areintroduced all bills of a private nature whatsoever--such as claimsor appeals for money, position, justice, rights and franchises. Ifapproved in this house they go to the Senate, and are usually approvedby that body. In the Gledom, or upper house, originate all bills forthe good of the nation at large. The system of committees, as of old,is a component part of the machinery of this house. The functions ofthe Senate, with the restrictions imposed upon it by the creation of athird house, have undergone few changes since your time."
"Are there any changes in the method of electing Senators,Representatives, and chief magistrate?"
"Yes; the President's term of office is five years, taking officeon New-Year's-Day of every year divisible by five without aremainder--that is, it commenced in 1940. In the October of the yearpreceding the taking of office, the governors of all the Statesassemble at a designated place and nominate four candidates for eachoffice. The two houses of Representatives meet on the first day ofNovember, and proceed to elect, from the nominees, the President andVice-Presidents."
"Then, I take it that a Republican house would surely elect aRepublican, and vice versa?" said Cobb.
"There is no Republican or Democratic party, nor any two parties, asformerly. One party, the American, rules this country. No diversity ofopinion exists as regards the welfare of the nation. No policy from thecandidates for the Presidency is called for, or expected. To-day thereare no great questions to split the nation with contention."
"But may not the choice of the people be defeated, where the electionis in the hands of so few?"
"Again experience teaches that you are wrong. Under the old systemthe people had a choice between two men; now the nation has a choicefrom four men. The extent and population of the country being soenormous, individual voting would necessitate long and arduous work incounting and verifying the vote. Were the two distinct parties in thefield, our method might--mind you, I say might--work disadvantageouslyto one party or the other. The fairness of the system now in vogueconsists in the celerity of the election after nomination, and inthe number of nominees. No man can tell beforehand upon whom willfall the nominations given by sixty-eight men, high in social andcivil standing, and who come together from every part of this greatcountry--men who are, as a rule, unacquainted with one another. Even ifcollusion brought about a certain nomination, who could tell that thatnominee would be elected by the two houses? The nomination takes placeOctober first, and certified copies, signed by every governor present,though he may have voted against the nominee, are delivered by thethree governors oldest in years to each of the three Vice-Presidentsof the United States. On the first day of November the names arepresented, and the balloting commences in both houses simultaneously,and continues until an election is completed by that house. The recordis sent to the Senate, and that body counts and verifies the vote ofthe two houses, and announces the result."
"Very simple, after all," remarked Cobb. "But has it always workedwell?"
"Perfectly."
"How long have you been in office, Mr. President?"
"Since last New-Year's-Day."
"Will you get the nomination again, do you think?"
"No; assuredly not. One of the most strictly followed laws of theUnited States is that no man can hold the same elective office twice.This law applies to all national and State offices, but not to othersbelow that dignity."
"Does this law not tend to deprive the State and nation of the servicesof tried and capable men?"
"Colonel, this nation is great; vast. There are thousands uponthousands of men fully as capable as those in office, ready to taketheir turn."
"And federal appointments, the patronage of the party, as it wasformerly called--how are they made?"
"Wholly upon competitive examination; not in scientific branches oflearning, but upon the duties required, together with a common-schooleducation."
"And the term of office?"
"In many positions it is during active life; in others for ten years,or less periods. But in all cases the period is known, and removalsnever take place without cause having been given by the incumbent: thiscause is never political."
"I see we are at the door," reluctantly said Cobb, as the drag came toa standstill before the entrance to the executive mansion, "so will askyou no more questions to-day--but the subject is one of great interestto me."
After dinner, as Cobb and Hugh were lounging about and smoking theircigars, the President came into the room and handed the former theevening paper, remarking:
"You have not seen a paper to-day. Here is the American: you will findall the news in it."
Moving toward the door, the President turned around, and added:
"By the bye, Junius, Captain Hathaway will report to you this eveningfor orders; dispose of him as you please," and he passed out into thehall.
"Don't mind me, Junius," said Hugh; "read your paper. I'll look at thesociety news in it--there is no such nonsense in yours," drawing outthe "Washington Report" from his pocket.