A. D. 2000

  CHAPTER XIII

  Weeks passed, and Junius Cobb still remained the guest of thePresident. He investigated the many marvelous subjects which presentedthemselves to his view. He studied and learned, and became familiarwith his new life. He visited New York and other large cities in hisvicinity, and noted their growth and progress. He was astonished tofind New York a city of over four millions of people, and coveringnearly two hundred square miles of territory.

  He visited the great tunnels which connect East and West New York tothe city proper, Brooklyn and Jersey City having become a corporatepart of New York City. The double streets of the city were a wonderfulrealization of what the needs of a great commercial center will demandof its people. From One Hundredth street south, and over the wholeisland from the East to the North River, was a double street--a cityon top of a city. The lower streets were the originals, and were pavedwith roughened glass. On one side, covered, and just below the streetlevel, were the great sewers of the city. The height from lower toupper street was twenty feet. In the center of Lower Broadway, LowerFourth, Sixth, and Ninth Avenues (for such the under streets weredesignated), and below the level of the pavement, was a double tunnelcarrying the rapid-transit electric trains. These trains were composedof light, cylindrical cars, about ten feet in diameter; they had nowindows, light being obtained from electricity. The air was receivedthrough ventilators, a steady stream of pure, fresh air being keptcirculating through the tunnels by immense fans. Automatic indices gavewarning of the different stations. The normal speed of these trains wasforty miles per hour, and stops were made at every half-mile betweenThree Hundred and Fifty-third street and the Battery, East New York(Brooklyn); and West New York (Jersey City). Handsome stations alongthe line, connected by hydraulic lifts with the upper-street stations,enabled the passengers to quickly take the surface lines to all partsof the city. All vehicles devoted to business purposes were confinedto the lower streets, and all merchandise, also, was here receivedand shipped. In the roof of the street were the water-pipes, electriclight, telephone, power, and other wires--all easy of access. Likethe lower, the upper streets and sidewalks were of glass, which wasmolded into huge blocks, these resting on steel girders running acrossand down the streets. The sidewalks were light gray, and the streetlight steel-color. The thickness of these blocks of glass was fourinches, and the light transmitted to the under-street had nearly itsnatural intensity. On the upper streets, light electric cars ran inevery direction, stopping whenever desired. These surface trains werepeculiar in that they sat two feet above the pavement, held aloft andin position by two wide but thin rods of steel passing through a slotin the street, the trucks for the cars running upon a roadbed justunder the center of the street, or in the roof of the lower street.Upon inquiry, he was informed that the reasons for the elevation of thecars and the subterranean roadway were to avoid accidents; as a personwho was so unfortunate as to be struck by a train would be knocked downbut passed over by the elevated car without much injury, the steel barshaving rounded guards in front to push any object aside. Cobb observedthat the entrances to all of the houses, stores, theatres, churches,hotels, etc., were on the upper streets; and also, that access to thelower streets was obtained at every street-corner by flights of broadsteps. He noticed that the streets and sidewalks were perfectly clean,and that an air of care, attention, and good order seemed to prevail.Light carriages to horses, electric drags, and such lighter vehicles asare used for transportation of persons only, were alone permitted uponthe upper streets. At short distances upon either side of the streetwere electric lamps, while at one of the corners of each cross-streetwas a combination post of fine and handsome make. At the base it wasabout two feet square, decreasing in size to about eight inches ata height of six feet, the whole surmounted by a white glass shaft,twenty-five feet in length. These posts were for a variety of purposes.The lower part contained the carbons, materials, etc., for the electriclights which were placed upon the top; the next compartment was forthe reception of mail matter; above these two were the fire-alarm andpolice boxes, while on either side were the hydrant nozzles. Justunder the lamp were the names of the two streets and the ward of thecity. The street name was also set into the sidewalk under foot, indifferent colors--two names on each corner. Red names indicated a northdirection; white, east; blue, south; and green, west.

  Asking Hugh, who was with him, if they had any improved method ofremoving the snow during the winter--for he remembered with whatdifficulty the streets of New York had been cleared of their snow inhis time--he was informed that very little snow fell in New York, or,in fact, along the coast as far north as Maine.

  "How is that?" exclaimed Cobb, in surprise. "You haven't changed theseasons, have you?"

  "Yes," nonchalantly.

  "What!"

  "We have changed the possibility of a frightful winter into the realityof a very even and uniform temperature," he continued.

  "What haven't you done?"

  "Well, we haven't made a California climate by our work, but we havevastly decreased the severity of our Eastern winters," he laughinglyreplied.

  "And how have you accomplished this great change?" Cobb asked.

  "Here is the Metropolitan Club," as they came to a grand edifice nearUnion Square; "let us go in, have a bottle of wine, and I will explainthe methods pursued to work this beneficial change of climate."

  "Do you know," asked Hugh, as he filled two glasses with champagne,after they had become seated in one of the reception-rooms of the club;"do you know why New York and the coast to Nova Scotia is so muchcolder than the Pacific coast of equal latitude?"

  "Certainly. On the Pacific, we have the Kuro Sivo, or Japanese current,touching the coast; while on the Atlantic the Gulf Stream is driven offthe coast from about the mouth of the James River, by an arctic currentcoming around Newfoundland and flowing close to the coast."

  "Exactly. And if this arctic current could be checked, or driven off,then what?"

  "Why, the Gulf Stream would bring its waters close to the shore, andthe temperature would be raised."

  "That's it, precisely. And that is just what we have done."

  "How have you done this, pray?"

  "The waters of the arctic current," said Hugh, as he lighted a freshcigar, and settled himself back in his chair, "come down Davis Straitwith icy chillness and sweep around Newfoundland, over the banks andalong the eastern coast. This is the main current. By the northerlypoint of Newfoundland projecting, as it does, into the Atlantic, asecond or minor current is evolved which passes through the Straitsof Belle Isle. This current, three miles wide by twenty-five fathomsdeep, flows at a rapid pace through the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and turnssharp around Cape Breton and flows south. Its icy waters, as they reachthe Gulf Stream, chill the latter for miles along the coast, finallydisappearing under the stream about the mouth of the James River. If itwas not for this minor current, the Gulf Stream would touch our easternshores to the banks of Newfoundland; of course, more or less chilled bythe arctic current, which would impinge upon and sink under the GulfStream off the southwest extremity of the banks. Knowing this, we haveclosed up Belle Isle Strait, save a ship passage."

  "That must have been a huge undertaking," remarked Cobb.

  "Yes, it was. But it was done, nevertheless."

  "How?"

  "By very hard and costly work, and very little science. On the southerncoast of Labrador, near the straits, are large and vast quarries ofgranite. Thousands upon thousands of tons of this were quarried out,and when winter came and Belle Isle Straits were frozen over, a doubletrack was laid across the straits, on the ice; large holes cut through,and the granite blocks brought and thrown into the water. Accuratecharts were made of each year's work, so that the material shouldalways fall upon the same line. In four years the work was finished.The sediment brought down by the arctic current soon filled all theinterstices, and to-day the dam is perfect, preventing any entranceof the waters of Davis Strait into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, exceptthro
ugh a narrow channel for the passage of vessels. Four hundredmillion cubic feet of material was used in this work."

  Thus, little by little, did Cobb learn of the reasons and whereforesof the many innovations and changes which he constantly saw about him.The days came and passed; Cobb finding delight in the society of MollieCraft, and pleasure and instruction in that of Hugh, her brother.

  And then, when alone, came the dream wherein the angel had led MarieColchis to him and had spoken the prophetic words. Words prophetic ofwhat? he asked himself. Long and long did he ponder over the vision.His was a nature to love and to desire love in return. To him, womanwas an angel, a being divine. Desolate and alone, his heart demandeda companion. He admired Mollie Craft; did he love her? And when heasked the question of himself, he could give no satisfactory reply.But of one fact he felt assured: if he loved her, he loved his lostMarie more. Yet she, his Marie, was dead: was it wrong for him to seekfor a companion to soothe the desolation of his heart, especially oneembodying such virtues as Mollie Craft? May not the vision have beengiven for such an interpretation? he argued: he did not know.

  One day in the latter part of November, as he and Mollie were sittingby the cheerful fire in the private parlor of the executive mansion, helooked intently into her eyes, and sadly asked:

  "Do you not think me sad at times, Mollie?"

  He called her Mollie, and she called him Junius; such was thePresident's request, as he considered Junius Cobb his adopted son.

  "Yes, Junius; and it often pains me to think that, perhaps, we are notdoing all that we ought to make your life happy."

  "Would you do more if you could?" and he fixed his eyes with a lovingexpression upon hers, which fell at his glance.

  "I am sure, Junius, that never was a sister--" and she emphasized theword--"more ready and willing to make a brother happy, than I."

  "Were you ever in love, Mollie?" He jerked the words out as if fearfulof the answer she might give.

  "Why! what a question!"

  "But were you?" he persisted.

  "Now, Junius, that is not fair, to ask a girl such a question. Were youever in love?" She laughed, but anxiously awaited his answer.

  "Yes." He spoke slowly and with an absent air. "Twice have I known whatit was to love a woman."

  A tear seemed to glisten in his eye as his memory carried him back ahundred years.

  "Twice?" inquiringly.

  "Yes; or rather might I say, once to love a woman, and once to love achild."

  "You surprise me greatly, Junius. Will you not make a confidant ofme and tell me all about your loves?" and she put her hand upon hisshoulder.

  That touch, so gentle and light, sent a thrill of pleasure throughhis heart. He turned and seized her hands in his, and looked long andlovingly into her eyes.

  "Can man forswear his soul?" he cried, harshly, while his tight graspof her hands gave her pain.

  "Do not hurt me, Junius!" she cried, trying to free her hands. Hereleased her, and sat down in his chair.

  "I did not mean to hurt you, Mollie. I am torn by contending passionsof right and wrong. My soul is athirst. I long to quench its burningfires, but dare not speak my thoughts. Alone in a new world, I ambarren of kith or kin to fill the aching void in my heart. And, thoughknowing this, yet am I bound by chains of honor, respect and manlydevotion from speaking the words which might, perchance, secure me thatgreatest of God's blessings to man, a woman's love."

  He bowed his head, and remained silent.

  Mollie Craft was no child, no affected school-girl, nor hardenedsociety woman. She was a true, noble-hearted being, and read this man'ssecret without his lips framing its confession: he loved her.

  With sorrow in her voice, she said:

  "Junius, you are not alone in the world. You have a father, mother,brother, and sister, though not of the same blood, yet are they asloving as your own relatives could be."

  "I know," he returned; "but my heart craves more--a being like you,Mollie, to love me and be loved by me in return."

  It was out. He had avowed his love, but not in such passionate terms asone would have used if a reply had been expected. He meant not to askher heart and hand; he merely told her what his heart craved.

  She made no answer; gave no reply.

  Then, with a burst of increased sadness, Cobb continued:

  "I crave this love, Mollie, but cannot ask for it. I have already givenmy pledge to a woman--have promised to marry none but her."

  "Then, Junius, you should not break that promise," and a relievedexpression came over the fair face.

  "But she can never be mine; she is dead!" and the strong man bowed hishead and wept like a child.

  Going up to him, she put her arms about his neck, and kissed him on theforehead, then silently left the room.

  As the dial in the executive mansion sounded the hour of 22 that night,a figure wrapped in a black cloak stole silently from the rear entranceof the building, through the gardener's gate and into the conservatory.An instant later and a tall man had clasped her in his arms, andlovingly pressed her to his heart.

  "Ah, Lester, you are waiting for me," looking up into his manly face.

  "Yes, dearest; waiting and watching. These moments by your side, stolenthough they are, become the happiest in my life. Ah, Mollie! would thatyou could be with me forever. Why must I thus always beat about thebush to seek your society?"

  Reluctantly he released her, but held one dainty hand in his, as he ledher to a wicker seat just beside the daisy rows at the lower end of theconservatory and seated himself by her side.

  Throwing her large black cloak over the back of the seat, Mollie turnedher great blue eyes toward her lover.

  "Why must you seek me thus stealthily, Lester, you ask? You know."

  Her eyes dropped, and a shade of shame overspread her fair face.

  "Yes, I know. For you have told me that your father has taken adislike to me in particular, and against all army officers as suitorsfor your hand in general. But he can find no cause to be prejudicedagainst me--at least, none that I am aware of," looking into her eyesinquiringly.

  "No, Lester," quickly returned the girl, "he can certainly find nostain upon your character, else his daughter would not have enteredhere to-night to meet you." This with a proud knowledge that, wrong asshe was in disobeying her father's wishes, she was conscious of thenobleness of her lover's character.

  "'Tis the old story, Lester," she continued, after a moment--"afather's ambition. Papa _is_ ambitious, but his ambition no longercenters in himself, but in his children. Reaching, as he has, to thehighest position within the gift of the nation, he hopes to see hischildren, when he descends from his station, still moving onward andupward toward renown, popularity, and--and--O Lester, I hate to sayit--wealth."

  She hung her head as if ashamed to confess that her father for a momentconsidered pecuniary matters in connection with the disposal of herhand.

  Taking her hand in his, he calmly said:

  "Mollie, I blame him not. 'Tis a father's first duty to seek thewelfare of his children. But, darling," drawing her toward him,"though I have not wealth, yet have I my pay as a Captain in the army,a sum sufficient to enable me to provide a cozy, happy home for us. Doyou not think it would be cozy and happy?" looking tenderly into hereyes, which had been raised and turned upon him as he spoke.

  "Ah, Lester, to me, yes," she returned, petting the hand that heldhers. "I am your promised wife, Lester--promised by me, but not by myfather. Let us hope, dearest, that time will make some change in hisdetermination to find a suitor of greater wealth; he could _not_ findone more noble," blushing sweetly at the confession.

  Lester Hathaway drew her closer to him, and kissed her rich, red lipsin appreciation of her kind and loving words.

  "We will hope," he said, as she modestly drew away. "I dislike,dearest, as much as you, to have our meetings clandestine, but I couldnot live throughout the day without at least a moment of your sweetsociety. You do not blame me, Mollie, do yo
u?" lovingly pressing thehand that lay in his.

  "Of course not, Lester, if you say so; for I believe you to be the verysoul of truth," she returned, smiling archly.

  "And when I avow that no fairer woman ever lived, that my heart beatsbut in love for you, that I adore you, Mollie, you believe me sincere,do you not, dearest?" and his arm stole gently about her slenderwaist, drawing her unresisting form closer to his heart.

  "Lester, my own, I do; and your love is reciprocated with all the depthof my heart." She spoke with truth and pathos.

  Raising her face to his, he looked into her eyes.

  "You will marry none other than me? You will wait until I can claim youfrom your father? Speak, dearest."

  "I will," came the words, lowly but lovingly spoken.

  He kissed her lips even as the words were uttered.

  "Now, Lester, I have something to communicate to you," continuedMollie, as Hathaway finally released her. "Mr. Cobb half proposed tome to-day," and she related the whole conversation. "Now, Lester; Icould not tell him I was engaged. He loves me, I can see it; but he islaboring under the restrictions which an honorable heart has imposed.If he succeeds in holding to his sense of duty, he will never ask meto be his wife; if he wavers, I may expect an open declaration. Be notangry with him, Lester. He knows not our relations; for if he did, hislips would be sealed forever. I know the honorable and true heart thatbeats within his breast."

  "What will you do? You should not have encouraged his love,"reprovingly said Hathaway.

  "I, Lester? I did not encourage it. I tried from the first to teachhim that I could be only a sister to him. I know not what to do! IfI had a handsome, jolly girl friend to come and remain with me for amonth or two, perhaps his thoughts and love might be transferred toher."

  "You have never seen my sister, dearest; but I think she would meet allthe requirements, exactly," with an air of pride.

  "O Lester! papa wouldn't like to have your sister come as a guest atthe house, and be compelled to keep the brother out; and, besides, hemight fear her influence in your behalf; and she might help your case,too," with a sly glance.

  "That would be terrible intriguing, wouldn't it?" laughing. "Butcouldn't she come as somebody else? your friend, for instance, atschool?"

  "Capital! That's it! I will introduce her as Miss Marie Colchester, myold chum at Weldon. Send for her, Lester; and when she comes I willmeet her at the hotel and instruct her in her duties."

  "I will send for her to-morrow."

  "But I had forgotten; is she engaged, or in love?"

  "Neither; I am positive of it."

  "And you will send for her to-morrow?"

  "Yes, my darling. She will be here by the 20th of the month."

  "Good! And now, Lester, you may have just one kiss, and I must go."

  She put up her lips, and raised on the tips of her toes to meet hiskiss.

  "Oh!--oh!--don't smother me, Lester," disengaging herself.

  "Will I see you here to-morrow evening?" he anxiously asked.

  "I don't know; but you can come," laughing as she passed through thedoor.