Doctor Jones' Picnic Part 26

So it was agreed that they should make New York their next anchorage if possible. Along in the afternoon they were near the center of Pennsylvania and were approaching a large town. The people were evidently looking for them, for immense crowds could be seen gathered in many places.

"I think that I will send a telegram from here to the mayor of New York that we will try and make that city to-night. At what time should we arrive there at our present speed?" he inquired of Professor Gray.

The Professor consulted his watch and map a moment, and replied, "About eight o'clock this evening, Doctor."

The telegram was written accordingly. Silver Cloud descended to within four hundred feet of the earth, and when over the center of the city, the Doctor leaned over the bal.u.s.trade and shouted, "Will you please forward this message for me?" As he said this he dropped the message, wrapped about a silver half dollar. One of the thousands of willing hands caught it, and a voice answered, "Aye, aye, Doctor Jones!"

"They all have your name, Doctor. You are the best known man in America to-day. And I doubt if there is one in the world so much talked of as you are," said Professor Gray.

"And that just shows how small a matter makes one famous. A few months ago I was an humble, inconsequential country doctor. My greatest delight and ambition at that time was to find the indicated remedy, and see the sick recover. And I declare to you now, that while I enjoy this racing through the skies, and the roar and acclamation of the mult.i.tudes, yet all these are but secondary and insignificant to my mind, when compared with that other great ambition of my life--the recognition by the medical world of the fact that there is an immutable law of G.o.d for our guidance in the selection of the remedy for the sick. And my daily prayer now is that my Father will keep me humble, so that he can use me to this end. For I tell you, friends," and the Doctor struck the table near him a mighty blow with his fist by way of emphasis, "that G.o.d can use no man who feels his own importance, and is inclined to take all the glory to himself. He is simply a weak-minded bungler, who gets into the way and frustrates whatever designs G.o.d might otherwise have worked through him."

The Doctor was upon his favorite theme--the propagandism of the peculiar system of medicine of which he was so faithful and successful a pract.i.tioner--and they had left the city far behind them, when he again paid attention to the rapidly changing scenery below. The wind had increased to a strong gale, and they were crossing the full length of Pennsylvania at astounding speed. They pa.s.sed over the mountain ranges of the eastern part of the state, with as little concern or thought as if they had been level plain or water. So greatly had their speed accelerated, that by six o'clock the smoke of the great city was discernible immediately before them. The beautiful Hudson looked like a silver ribbon trending away to the north. New York bay with its shipping from all quarters of the earth, Liberty Lighting the World, the suspension bridge, and the tall buildings of the city, were all distinctly seen by the voyagers at a great distance. The booming of cannon announced to our friends that they had been sighted by those upon the lookout for them. A few moments later they had crossed the river and were skimming over the housetops, looking for an anchorage.

"There is Central Park. We shall pa.s.s over the south end of it. That is the 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 in the strong limbs of the shade trees and Silver Cloud was again safely anch.o.r.ed. It was well that this immense park had chanced to be their stopping place, for the people were wild with excitement, and poured into it like a mighty flood. The shout that went up was deafening as the Doctor and Professor descended to the ground. The whole party came down, two by two, the fastenings of the globe were made doubly secure, a posse of policemen put in charge of it, and then they submitted themselves to the committee of reception appointed by the mayor. Carriages awaited them, and they were conveyed to a hotel as rapidly as the densely crowded streets would permit. No conqueror ever received a more tremendous ovation! Frequently the carriages were brought to a dead standstill, and only the most strenuous efforts of scores of policemen could make a pa.s.sage for them. But finally their enthusiasm broke through all barriers. The horses were taken from the vehicles, and hundreds of friendly hands grasped the ropes attached to the ends of the tongues, and then better progress was made. The Doctor bore his honors with gentle dignity, taking off his hat, and bowing frequently to the right and left to his excited and enthusiastic countrymen who thus delighted to do him honor. If Mrs. Jones' eyes filled with tears of pride and delight as she witnessed this outpouring of the hearts of the people to the man whom she loved above anything upon earth, surely no one will censure her for that. The travelers had met with some hearty receptions, but never with anything like this. It was not the male portion only who were demonstrative, but the ladies were equally active in their expressions of appreciation. The carriages were literally filled with rich bouquets of flowers that rained into them. And when they could bring them to a standstill, the crush about the vehicles almost threatened their destruction. They shook hands with as many as climbed 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 the Doctor 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 the entrance of the hotel. Here the press was tremendous, and it was with extreme difficulty that they at last reached the parlor, where the mayor and many distinguished citizens awaited them.

"I fear you have had a rough pa.s.sage through our streets," said the mayor.

"I give you my word, sir, that we have been in more danger during the last 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 will have to stand the consequences of your unprecedented popularity. It is so refreshing to see a man do the impossible with the nonchalance and ease that you have displayed that you must not complain if we nearly kill you with the best intentions in the world. But I promise that we will 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 saw our city so excited as it is to-night," said another gentleman. "Just listen to them! Come out upon the balcony and look at them."

As they stepped out and looked up and down Broadway, far as they could see the great thoroughfare was filled with people. The voyagers were instantly recognized, and such a roar as went up from that vast mult.i.tude! It continued until the mayor stepped forward and raised his hand 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 glad to see a party who travel in so splendid a chariot as the great aluminum ship. And I take it for granted that you are all aware that Silver Cloud, as we have named the globe, carried us to the North Pole and back safely and pleasantly. And to-night, as we stand in the great metropolis of the Western hemisphere, there flies from the most splendid flagstaff upon earth, located precisely at the northern extremity of the earth's axis, the Flag of our Union! (At this point, the patriotic enthusiasm of the hearers could not be restrained, and for several minutes the Doctor stood and awaited the subsidence of the cheering.) But I have a proposition to make you. The Mayor desires that you all retire now to your homes, and I promise you that to-morrow night we will tell you all about our trip, and show you how we planted the flagstaff at the North Pole. I bid you all good night."

"That was good, Doctor, and I think that now they will disperse quite satisfied," said the mayor. "You are the city's guests, remember, and we are extremely desirous of rendering you every possible honor and pleasure. I do not doubt that you are all fatigued with so much excitement and sightseeing as you have been through to-day, and we will let you retire. Good-night."

CHAPTER XXIII.

The World at the Feet of Doctor Jones.

The following morning our friends were up be-times and were soon engaged in the busiest day of their lives. The wind was still unfavorable for their pa.s.sage to Washington, and they abandoned themselves to the numerous duties that pressed upon them, and hospitalities of the friendly Gothamites. Messages almost innumerable and visitors by thousands poured in upon them. Mrs. Jones, Mattie, and Denison acted as secretaries for Dr. Jones, while Will and Fred performed the same office for Professor Gray. Reporters by scores besieged them at all hours. The Doctor disposed of these importunate visitors by appointing an hour when he met them in a body in a private room, and there answered their numerous questions. At three o'clock P.M. the mayor called, and through a private exit the whole party was led to carriages, and shown a considerable portion of the better part of the city. They drove to the globe and found it surrounded by thousands of admirers. Silver Cloud proudly floated above them, gently oscillating in the breeze, slightly bowing to the right and left, as if complacently acknowledging the admiration and praises of its visitors.

The carriages were driven as near as possible to the globe. Will and Denison worked their way to the cage and ascended to the cabin. The vast throng watched this proceeding with intense interest, and made the welkin ring with their shouts as the two men safely entered the manhole.

They examined the thermometer, trimmed the burners that were necessary to be kept alight, wound up the motor springs, and then descended with a rapidity that caused the spectators to hold their breaths.

After several hours' driving, during which time the mayor pointed out many objects of interest, they were driven to their hotel and left to rest and prepare for the evening's entertainment. They had been informed that the largest building in the city had been engaged, and the whole party of Arctic explorers were earnestly requested to meet the public that evening in said building. This they consented to do. There was not the slightest sn.o.bbishness about Dr. Jones, or it certainly would have manifested itself now when the world was at his feet. But the little man was as kind and unaffectedly friendly now as ever in his life. He was a close student of human nature too, and thoroughly understood that they were fully capable of crying "Hosannah!" to-day, and "Crucify him! crucify him!" to-morrow. Human nature is not different from what it was thousands of years ago. It is no better and no worse.

Unregenerate man is out of harmony with his Maker; and being possessed of a finite mind, he can never be right, do right, nor keep right until he places himself unreservedly into G.o.d's hands.

"Just as I am, without one plea, But that thy blood was shed for me, And that thou bidst me come to thee, O Lamb of G.o.d! I come."

"When I would do good, evil is ever present with me," was St. Paul's experience. It is yours and it is mine, gentle reader. There is no escape from it, except through the blood of Christ. Then shall we commit all our ways unto Him, and shall never be moved. This is the one great cause of man's inconstancy. He is constantly seeking after that which shall satisfy the cravings of his never dying soul, but refuses the light which G.o.d gives him. He sips from every cup of worldly pleasure, and madly rushes after the sensation of the hour, be it good or bad. One after the other, they pall upon his wearied senses, and he dashes them from his lips in disgust. Happy alone is he who listens to that Voice, 'Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.'

That evening, before many thousands of people, our friends did what they could to please them. They sang as they never had done in their lives.

It is unnecessary to say that their efforts were received with tremendous rounds of encores by the delighted host. The music was interspersed with appropriate speeches from the mayor and other civic dignitaries. They all spoke in unlimited terms of praise of the man who had conceived the idea of the aluminum globe, and who had had the courage of his convictions. He had added undying glory to the land that bore him, and now that land delighted to honor him by every means within her power, etc.

The Doctor and Professor each spoke at some length, giving the history of the expedition and the importance of it to the scientific world. The Doctor told them of the planting of the aluminum flagstaff in terse, graphic language, and concluded by saying:

"And now friends, we will conclude the evening's performance by giving you an exact representation of how we marched about the flagstaff and sang Professor Marsh's composition, 'The North Pole March.' You must imagine the thermometer sixty or more degrees below zero in order to appreciate the scene."

A fair representation of the foot of the flagstaff had been improvised, and the stage was made to look like a field of snow and ice. In a circle about the pole were set vessels of burning oil. Within this circle the friends marched to the beautiful music that Fred played upon the aluminum organ (for even that instrument had been brought by Denison and Will from the globe, that the scene might lack nothing in realism.)

And so real was the scene as they marched in their sealskin suits--poor Sing among them, though he could not sing--and so inspiring was the music, that the vast a.s.semblage sat still as death, every sense strained to the highest tension, that they might not lose a movement nor note.

When they finished, the shout that went up was a tremendous lungburst that was simply deafening. Men, women, and children jumped upon their feet, waved their handkerchiefs, and screamed and shouted themselves hoa.r.s.e. Nor would they cease until the lights had all been turned low, and they realized that the Children of the Skies would appear no more that night. They had improved the opportunity while the mult.i.tude thus encored to make their escape in their carriages to the hotel.

"I don't know, Doctor, but you will be responsible for many cases of lunacy among our people," said the mayor. "I never saw them so utterly carried away as they were with your company and the globe. All you have to do is to take to the stage and you can bankrupt the nation."

After a quiet supper with a select party of notables of the city, our friends were permitted to retire for the night.

"I am anxious to get on to Washington. This is very pleasant, but I much prefer the cabin of Silver Cloud, with you, my dear friends, to all this hustling, cramming, and jambing. The people are kind as they can be, and are doing everything for our comfort and pleasure, but I never could endure being crowded. Give me plenty of elbow room or give me death!"

cried Dr. Jones.

"Who would have thought that our march about the pole would make such a sensation!" said Mrs. Jones. "Your North Pole March will make your fortune, Fred. You should immediately copyright and publish it. You could sell thousands of copies to-morrow."

"All right, Mrs. Jones; I will profit by your suggestion," answered Fred, gayly. "Dear old Silver Cloud is making us all famous and rich.

Strike while the iron's hot;' 'Make hay while the sun shines;' etc. My next attempt will be the Silver Cloud Waltz. This is the tide in my affairs, and I must be thrifty enough to take it at its flood."

On the following morning after breakfast it was observed that the wind was from the nor-nor-east, or nearly exactly toward their destination.

"Shall we sail to-day, or accept further hospitalities of New York?"

asked Dr. Jones of the company. The unanimous decision was that they sail immediately.

The mayor was telephoned that they would sail within one or two hours, the wind being favorable. A few moments later that gentleman appeared in the parlor where they were sitting and said hastily:

"My dear Doctor, we cannot let you go to-day. We have a splendid program laid out for you, and our people will be greatly disappointed if you do not stop at least another day. Besides, great excursions by steamers and rail are expected to-morrow. We cannot let you off for two or three days yet."

"My dear sir, nothing would give me greater pleasure than to remain as long as you desire. But my commands are peremptory from Washington to report there at the earliest practicable moment. So I really have no option in the matter, and must sail this very morning," replied Dr.

Jones.

"Such being the case, Doctor, I am too good a citizen to urge you to disobey orders. We will say no more about it, but thank you for the pleasure you have given us, and wish you 'Bon Voyage.'"