CHAPTER XXII.
Familiar Scenes and Faces.
Silver Cloud was wafted by a gentle breeze to the center of LowerMichigan. For two or three hours after sunrise there was nearly a deadcalm. Then a brisk breeze from due east arose, and they started for LakeMichigan at a great speed.
"This will never do," said Dr. Jones. "We will go down and get freshsupplies and the morning papers. There lies a good-looking town a fewmiles west. We will anchor there. Stand by the anchor, boys."
In a few moments Silver Cloud, with her characteristic swiftness,descended upon the town, and soon was safely anchored to several largetrees in the center of it. It proved to be the thrifty little town ofL----r, of between three and four thousand inhabitants. Silver Cloud wasdrawn to within fifty or sixty feet of the earth, and the voyagersrapidly descended in the cage to the main street.
That all the men, women, and children crowded to the vicinity of theglobe, and that our friends were the cynosure of thousands of wonderingeyes will be readily believed. And the glistening sphere that gentlyoscillated in the breeze above the city excited the unboundedastonishment and praise of all. Newspaper reporters gathered eagerlyabout the party, and plied them with questions concerning their trip andadventures. All, of course, were acquainted with the facts concerningtheir sailing from Washington four months previously, and a few of themhad witnessed that notable event. The travelers were informed that theyhad been mourned as lost for many weeks past, and Government was fittingout a party to seek them as soon as possible. The general opinion was,that the globe had collapsed or exploded, and that the foolhardyexplorers had all perished in the forests of Upper Canada. This was theaccepted theory, and nothing could exceed the severity with which theeditors of the papers politically opposed to the administration censuredit for the extravagance and all-round idiocy of the whole "AluminumBubble Scheme," as they termed it. Dr. Jones was voted a lunatic, andthe balance of the party was commiserated in the "Ahs!" and "Dear me's!"and "Poor things!" of the whole nation.
And we can well imagine that the telegraph wires were kept busy that dayall over the land. And the papers which in their previous issues hadinveighed so cuttingly and mercilessly against the Government and Dr.Jones, and everybody in any way connected with the Aluminum GlobeBubble, now came out in flaming double headings, under telegraphicdispatches and in editorials, sounding the praises of Dr. Jones andcompany in unbounded terms of commendation. They had always predictedtheir speedy and triumphant return, so they had, etc.
Telegrams and phonograms poured in upon them until they were reallyunable to attend to them. Very numerous were the offers of engagementsto Dr. Jones and Professor Gray for a course of lectures at liberalprices.
"I was satisfied, Professor, that we should stir them up," said Dr.Jones, perspiring and glowing with the excitement and hurry, "but I didnot look for this avalanche. I would rather be off into our nativeelement, the deep blue sky, than to be smothered in this fashion."
"Keep cool, Doctor," replied Professor Gray. "You may as well get usedto being lionized, for you will get no end of it at Washington."
"All right, Professor. I'll do the best I can, but I really do not enjoyso much of it. Suppose we give the people a reception at the OperaHouse."
"O good!" cried Mattie. "And let's give them a concert. We can renderthem an hour of music that I am sure will please them very much."
"Good girl!" shouted Fred, who was always in for anything in the line ofmusic and innocent pleasure.
All instantly agreed, and the town and neighboring places were informedof the fact of the intended reception that night. All necessarypreparations were made, and it is needless to say that the building waspacked to its utmost limits long before the appointed hour.
At eight o'clock the curtain raised, and our friends marched upon thestage and sang in their best form an anthem of praise and thanksgivingto God. All were in the pink of health, free from all carking cares andvanities of life, and they sang as if inspired. Such singing had neverbeen heard by the audience; and this fact, added to the romanceconnected with the occasion, carried the thousands of listenerscompletely off their feet. The encore that went up at the conclusion ofthe piece was tremendous beyond description. Nor would the excitedaudience cease an instant until our friends had rendered another song.Then Dr. Jones stepped forward, and raising his hand to invoke silence,said:
"Your mayor will now address a few words to you."
The mayor, a typical aldermanic looking person, advanced to the front ofthe stage and began a set speech after the stereotyped fashion. He wasthoroughly imbued with the idea that the navigators of the greataluminum ship had premeditatedly visited their important city beforegoing on to Washington, and it was no matter of surprise to him thatthey had done so. He thanked them, however, etc. He was discussing thelanding of the Pilgrim Fathers and was evidently wound up for an hour,and the audience was beginning to move restlessly. A low murmur ofdisapprobation ran through the house as the untimely, uninterestingspeech dragged its weary length, when a gallery god cried out: "Did youbring that thing from the North Pole, Dr. Jones? Trot it off and give ussome more music." The audience received this shot with shouts oflaughter and approval, and they did not stop until the crestfallen mayorbacked off the stage.
An hour was then spent in solos, duets, quartettes, choruses, etc. ThenDr. Jones made a speech of a few moments' length, in which he gave anaccount of the leading incidents of their wonderful trip. He especiallydwelt upon the planting of the aluminum flagstaff at the North Pole, andwhen he assured them that the flag of our Union, as they sat in thatcomfortable opera-house, was flying at the peak of that superlativelysplendid shaft at the very apex of the earth, the emotions of theassemblage could not be restrained, and they broke forth in thunders ofapplause.
Their return to the ship was a triumphal procession. The streets werepacked with people who waited to see them ascend to their cabin.
Early the following morning the wind had shifted to the northwest, andthe anchors were hoisted immediately. How beautiful the little town andsurrounding country appeared to the aeronauts in the early morning lightfrom their one thousand feet elevation.
"I had no conception of the beauty of this world until I saw it from thebalcony of the Silver Cloud," observed Professor Gray.
"There is but one trouble in this beautiful world, and that is with itsinhabitants," replied Dr. Jones. "We should have the restoration of Edenimmediately if all men would but serve God and observe the Golden Rule.Not another tear or sigh would ever be seen or heard again upon earth.But O the pity of it! Man, willfully blind, goes stumbling on throughthe short span of life, blighted and blighting everything about him withunbelief. Full of misery and heartaches here, he goes into Eternity tostand at the bar of God, naked and undone, and hears the fearfulsentence, 'Anathema Maranatha!' or 'Cursed and banished from God!' Andall this in the lovely world that lies spread out before us this morninglike the primitive Garden of the Lord, fresh as it came from Hisbountiful hand. It fills my soul with sadness when I think of ourinfinite foolishness. I do not wonder that Jesus wept over Jerusalem."
The whole company were assembled upon the balcony, and drew in longinspirations of the balmy morning air.
"What a panorama!" cried Mrs. Jones. "I am forever spoilt for living aterrestrial life again. We are Children of the Skies, and those lowvales are well enough for those who are contented therewith. But this isour native element!" and she spread her hands toward the upper blue."Why, if I were to be confined to that humdrum existence again, I shouldbe like--like--"
"--a fish out of water," suggested Fred.
"Now that is real mean," pouted Mrs. Jones. "I was trying to giveexpression to the inspiration excited by this lovely scene in the formof poesy, but you have spoilt it all with your prosaic comparison."
"I am just too sorry for any use at all," returned Fred, lookinganything but regretful. "But, really now, Mrs. Jones, how could youpossibly express the idea better?"
"W
e are moving straight for Washington," said the Professor, consultinga map in his hand, "and at this speed we shall not be far from it atbedtime to-night."
"We can prepare ourselves for a grand reception," remarked Denison. "Thegood people of L----r gave us an earnest of what we may expect."
"It is rather pleasant to be lionized, but we shall be obliged to drawthe lines somewhere," said Dr. Jones.
"We can always retreat to Silver Cloud when tired of being interviewed,wined, and dined," interposed Will.
"Let's plant another flagstaff at the South Pole, Doctor," cried Mattie."I never feel so well as when afloat upon this boundless sea."
"Well done, Mattie," returned the Doctor, patting her on the head. "Whata bold little navigator you have grown to be! And boundless sea is quitepoetic, too. But as to starting immediately for the South Pole, I do notthink we can do so. Perhaps we may, however, and you can rest assuredthat this sort of life suits me amazingly. I shall favor sailing for theSouth Pole at the earliest practicable moment."
"One thing is certain, and that is, that if we are to be the first toreach the South Pole, we cannot put the expedition off too long," saidWill. "Others will imitate us and get there before us if we give themtime. We must sail within a few weeks at farthest."
"That is true," assented Dr. Jones. "But let us see what Sing has forbreakfast."
So they entered the dining-room and ate with appetites known to but fewterrestrials. And why shouldn't they? Their sanitary environments wereperfect; their minds were free from all worldly cares. Ennui andmonotony were entirely unknown aboard Silver Cloud, because of theconstantly changing panorama of land and sea. There were no heartachesnor burning envies among them, for all were pure-minded and lived asGod's children should live the world over. Why shouldn't they be plumpand pure and clean, inside and out? "We have all outgrown our clothes,"as Dr. Jones expressed it.
It was a busy day aboard ship. The whole country was on the lookout forthem. The Doctor lowered to within five or six hundred feet of theearth, and the cries of the multitudes that gathered in every town andcountry corner continually rang in their ears.
"Detroit lies directly in our course. Do you see it yonder?" saidProfessor Gray.
"O yes!" cried Mrs. Jones. "I am glad that we shall get a good view ofthe beautiful city of Detroit. Away to the left is Lake St. Clair, isn'tit?"'
"Yes," answered the Professor, "and that is the Detroit River. There isthe city. Across upon the opposite side is the city of Windsor. Just seethe crowds of people! We are being well advertised by telegraph."
The squares, streets, and housetops of Detroit were black with people.Such cheering was never heard in that city as when Silver Cloudmajestically passed over it. The guns of the fort below the city pouredout thundering salutes of welcome.
"The poor, dear people!" said Mrs. Jones. "I am so glad that we can givethem a few moment's pleasure."
"And yet we have done nothing marvelous," returned Dr. Jones. "We haveonly made use of one of God's laws, and without any hardship or specialexertion, have been to the North Pole and back through the kindness ofProvidence, who furnishes us with extraordinarily favoring gales. Thepeople, as well as ourselves, should give all the glory to God."
"You are too modest by far, Doctor," replied Professor Gray. "You may aswell prepare yourself for unstinted praise and honor. What you have doneis simple and easy enough now that it has been accomplished; but it isthe conception of the idea, and courage and faith that you haveexhibited, that the world will honor. It was precisely so withChristopher Columbus. To cross the Atlantic was a comparatively easyaffair after he had led the way. You may as well prepare yourself tostand in the niche beside the discoverer of America. You are in for it,sir, and I am exceedingly pleased that you are. For I know that you areworthy of these honors, and will not become spoilt and puffed upthereby. Accept my heartfelt congratulations, Doctor Jones," and the twoshook hands cordially.
"And mine," said Denison, also shaking the Doctor's hand. So they allexpressed their spontaneous and sincere respect for the hero of theexpedition who had so evidently excited the praise and honor of theentire civilized earth. The little man was deeply affected.
"I should be but an arrant humbug to affect to despise the honor thatthe world seems disposed to bestow upon us. I say us, for I cannot andwill not take it all to myself. I may have been the originator of theidea, but I could have done nothing without your co-operation, dearfriends. But this is very unprofitable conversation. Let's talk aboutsomething else. There's my old duck pond, Lake Erie. Scores of timeshave I sailed from one end of it to the other; and hundreds of timeshave I bathed in its limpid waters. There is no spot on earth that Ilove as I do beautiful, historic Lake Erie."
This was the grand and peculiar feature of Dr. Jones' character--anutter disregard for his own aggrandizement and self-interest, and asincere desire to make everybody about him happy and comfortable. And,underlying it all, was a sublime faith in Almighty God. These threeessentials make the great man: modesty, unselfishness, and faith in God.Anyone is great who possesses them, and no one is great who lacks eitherof them. If the reader has not gathered that Dr. Jones' character was amost happy combination of these cardinal virtues, then we have in nodegree done him justice. And while he was kind and loving to all abouthim, yet he was terribly severe with the incorrigibly mean and vicious.If he had a great fault, it was in this particular. No one could be moreloving and tender with a penitent; but the stiff-necked and haughty, theoppressors of the poor, were an abomination unto him.
"I used to fear that I was too savage when I came into contact with suchpeople," said he; "but one day, while reading the 15th Psalm, I receiveda flood of light upon the subject. This psalm begins by asking: 'Lord,who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?' Inenumerating the qualifications of such person, the psalmist says: 'Hethat contemneth the evil man, but he honoreth them that fear the Lord,'Now that word 'contemn,' for the first time, attracted my specialattention. I had read it scores of times, but had never realized howstrong a term was here used. No stronger is to be found in the language.It means to despise, detest, spurn, etc. I was startled, but I was atthe same time glad. I could not help it, but I always did despise anddetest a man who would grind the face of the poor, or who would keepback the wage of the laborer. Not that I would judge him, or takevengeance upon him; and I must forgive him and receive him as my brotherwhen he repents. But until he does turn from the evil of his ways, anddoes his best at making restitution, I can do a jolly good job at'contemning' him."
The blue south shore of the lake soon became visible. A more entrancingpicture than that of Silver Cloud floating swiftly over the great lake,so thickly dotted with steamers and sailing vessels, cannot be imagined.The exhilaration of the occupants as they looked from their commandingaltitude upon this delightful scenery was extreme. Many adjectives areused in describing the scenery and experiences connected with thisnotable voyage, but language is far too feeble to do the subject fulljustice.
The Doctor pointed out the various islands, lakeports, etc., with all ofwhich he was perfectly familiar. The wind became more westerly, and theypassed into Ohio away to the east of Cleveland.
"I would have been glad to have stopped a little while at Cleveland,"said Dr. Jones, "but we must hasten on while the wind is favorable."
"Is it absolutely necessary that we take Silver Cloud to Washington?"asked Denison. "Suppose the winds should be contrary for a considerabletime, could we not anchor, and Professor Gray, the ladies, and yourselftake the train for the Capital?"
"Yes, and we will do that if necessary. But I much prefer that we sailthere together. It would then look as if we could come and go as weliked, and give some degree of color to my theory, that we can find anycurrent we wish by hunting for it."
"That is all right in America, but doesn't hold good in Russia, Doctor,"said Will, laughingly.
"Never mind, sonny," good-humoredly replied the Doctor. "All rules havetheir e
xceptions, and we happened to strike a full-grown, lusty one thattime. But I shall always be thankful that my rule failed for once. Ithink more of the seed I sowed there than I do of our planting theflagstaff at the North Pole."
The wind continued very brisk, a little north of west, and the ship washeading considerably north of Washington.
"We are pointing straight as a gun barrel for New York City," said Will,who was consulting a map.
"New York is considerably east of Washington," remarked the Doctor,looking over the map with Will. "I will tell you what we will do. If thewind continues as it now is we will go on to New York and await afavorable wind. What do you all think of that proposition?"
"Nothing could be more appropriate, since we must anchor, than that itshould be at the metropolis of America," answered Professor Gray.
So it was agreed that they should make New York their next anchorage ifpossible. Along in the afternoon they were near the center ofPennsylvania and were approaching a large town. The people wereevidently looking for them, for immense crowds could be seen gathered inmany places.
"I think that I will send a telegram from here to the mayor of New Yorkthat we will try and make that city to-night. At what time should wearrive there at our present speed?" he inquired of Professor Gray.
The Professor consulted his watch and map a moment, and replied, "Abouteight o'clock this evening, Doctor."
The telegram was written accordingly. Silver Cloud descended to withinfour hundred feet of the earth, and when over the center of the city,the Doctor leaned over the balustrade and shouted, "Will you pleaseforward this message for me?" As he said this he dropped the message,wrapped about a silver half dollar. One of the thousands of willinghands caught it, and a voice answered, "Aye, aye, Doctor Jones!"
"They all have your name, Doctor. You are the best known man in Americato-day. And I doubt if there is one in the world so much talked of asyou are," said Professor Gray.
"And that just shows how small a matter makes one famous. A few monthsago I was an humble, inconsequential country doctor. My greatest delightand ambition at that time was to find the indicated remedy, and see thesick recover. And I declare to you now, that while I enjoy this racingthrough the skies, and the roar and acclamation of the multitudes, yetall these are but secondary and insignificant to my mind, when comparedwith that other great ambition of my life--the recognition by themedical world of the fact that there is an immutable law of God for ourguidance in the selection of the remedy for the sick. And my dailyprayer now is that my Father will keep me humble, so that he can use meto this end. For I tell you, friends," and the Doctor struck the tablenear him a mighty blow with his fist by way of emphasis, "that God canuse no man who feels his own importance, and is inclined to take all theglory to himself. He is simply a weak-minded bungler, who gets into theway and frustrates whatever designs God might otherwise have workedthrough him."
The Doctor was upon his favorite theme--the propagandism of the peculiarsystem of medicine of which he was so faithful and successful apractitioner--and they had left the city far behind them, when he againpaid attention to the rapidly changing scenery below. The wind hadincreased to a strong gale, and they were crossing the full length ofPennsylvania at astounding speed. They passed over the mountain rangesof the eastern part of the state, with as little concern or thought asif they had been level plain or water. So greatly had their speedaccelerated, that by six o'clock the smoke of the great city wasdiscernible immediately before them. The beautiful Hudson looked like asilver ribbon trending away to the north. New York bay with its shippingfrom all quarters of the earth, Liberty Lighting the World, thesuspension bridge, and the tall buildings of the city, were alldistinctly seen by the voyagers at a great distance. The booming ofcannon announced to our friends that they had been sighted by those uponthe lookout for them. A few moments later they had crossed the riverand were skimming over the housetops, looking for an anchorage.
"There is Central Park. We shall pass over the south end of it. That isthe place for us to drop anchor," said the Professor.
"All right, Professor. Stand by boys! Let them go!" cried the Doctor.
Down to the earth went two anchors. They almost immediately caught inthe strong limbs of the shade trees and Silver Cloud was again safelyanchored. It was well that this immense park had chanced to be theirstopping place, for the people were wild with excitement, and pouredinto it like a mighty flood. The shout that went up was deafening as theDoctor and Professor descended to the ground. The whole party came down,two by two, the fastenings of the globe were made doubly secure, a posseof policemen put in charge of it, and then they submitted themselves tothe committee of reception appointed by the mayor. Carriages awaitedthem, and they were conveyed to a hotel as rapidly as the denselycrowded streets would permit. No conqueror ever received a moretremendous ovation! Frequently the carriages were brought to a deadstandstill, and only the most strenuous efforts of scores of policemencould make a passage for them. But finally their enthusiasm brokethrough all barriers. The horses were taken from the vehicles, andhundreds of friendly hands grasped the ropes attached to the ends of thetongues, and then better progress was made. The Doctor bore his honorswith gentle dignity, taking off his hat, and bowing frequently to theright and left to his excited and enthusiastic countrymen who thusdelighted to do him honor. If Mrs. Jones' eyes filled with tears ofpride and delight as she witnessed this outpouring of the hearts of thepeople to the man whom she loved above anything upon earth, surely noone will censure her for that. The travelers had met with some heartyreceptions, but never with anything like this. It was not the maleportion only who were demonstrative, but the ladies were equally activein their expressions of appreciation. The carriages were literallyfilled with rich bouquets of flowers that rained into them. And whenthey could bring them to a standstill, the crush about the vehiclesalmost threatened their destruction. They shook hands with as many asclimbed up within reach, not a few of whom were ladies.
"Upon my word, girls, I don't know but they will eat us up," said theDoctor to his wife and Mattie, who sat beside him in the leading landau.
But all things earthly have an end, and the party finally landed at theentrance of the hotel. Here the press was tremendous, and it was withextreme difficulty that they at last reached the parlor, where the mayorand many distinguished citizens awaited them.
"I fear you have had a rough passage through our streets," said themayor.
"I give you my word, sir, that we have been in more danger during thelast half hour than in all the balance of our voyage," replied Dr.Jones.
"You have stirred the world, and turned it upside down, and you willhave to stand the consequences of your unprecedented popularity. It isso refreshing to see a man do the impossible with the nonchalance andease that you have displayed that you must not complain if we nearlykill you with the best intentions in the world. But I promise that wewill endeavor to make it as easy for you as possible, while with us."
"I have lived all my life in New York, but I am sure that I never sawour city so excited as it is to-night," said another gentleman. "Justlisten to them! Come out upon the balcony and look at them."
As they stepped out and looked up and down Broadway, far as they couldsee the great thoroughfare was filled with people. The voyagers wereinstantly recognized, and such a roar as went up from that vastmultitude! It continued until the mayor stepped forward and raised hishand to command silence.
"Speak to them a few words, Doctor, and send them home," said he.
The Doctor stepped forward and cried at the top of his powerful voice:
"Friends and fellow countrymen. Of course, I expected you would be gladto see a party who travel in so splendid a chariot as the great aluminumship. And I take it for granted that you are all aware that SilverCloud, as we have named the globe, carried us to the North Pole andback safely and pleasantly. And to-night, as we stand in the greatmetropolis of the Western hemisphere, there flies from the most splendidflagstaff
upon earth, located precisely at the northern extremity of theearth's axis, the Flag of our Union! (At this point, the patrioticenthusiasm of the hearers could not be restrained, and for severalminutes the Doctor stood and awaited the subsidence of the cheering.)But I have a proposition to make you. The Mayor desires that you allretire now to your homes, and I promise you that to-morrow night we willtell you all about our trip, and show you how we planted the flagstaffat the North Pole. I bid you all good night."
"That was good, Doctor, and I think that now they will disperse quitesatisfied," said the mayor. "You are the city's guests, remember, and weare extremely desirous of rendering you every possible honor andpleasure. I do not doubt that you are all fatigued with so muchexcitement and sightseeing as you have been through to-day, and we willlet you retire. Good-night."