Mars (Planet) -- Fiction; Martians -- Fiction; Science fiction; Space travelers -- Fiction
I well remember how my heart was stirred at this impressive exhibition
of the boundless influence which my country had come to exercise over
all the people of the world, and I turned to look at the man to whose
genius this uprising of the earth was due. But Mr. Edison, after his
wont, appeared totally unconscious of the fact that he was personally
responsible for what was going on. His mind, seemingly, was entirely
absorbed in considering problems, the solution of which might be essential
to our success in the terrific struggle which was soon to begin.
Back to Washington.
"Well, have you seen enough?" he asked. "Then let us go back to
Washington."
As we speeded back across the continent we beheld beneath us again
the burdened express trains rushing toward the Atlantic, and hundreds
of thousands of upturned eyes watched our swift progress, and volleys
of cheers reached our ears, for every one knew that this was Edison's
electrical warship, on which the hope of the nation, and the hopes of
all the nations, depended. These scenes were repeated again and again
until the car hovered over the still expanding capital on the Potomac,
where the unceasing ring of hammers rose to the clouds.
Chapter III.
The day appointed for the assembling of the nations in Washington opened
bright and beautiful. Arrangements had been made for the reception of
the distinguished guests at the Capitol. No time was to be wasted, and,
having assembled in the Senate Chamber, the business that had called
them together was to be immediately begun. The scene in Pennsylvania
avenue, when the procession of dignitaries and royalties passed up
toward the Capitol, was one never to be forgotten. Bands were playing,
magnificent equipages flashed in the morning sunlight, the flags of
every nation on the earth fluttered in the breeze. Queen Victoria,
with the Prince of Wales escorting her, and riding in an open carriage,
was greeted with roars of cheers; the Emperor William, following in
another carriage with Empress Victoria at his side, condescended to
bow and smile in response to the greetings of a free people. Each of
the other monarchs was received in a similar manner. The Czar of Russia
proved to be an especial favorite with the multitude on account of the
ancient friendship of his house for America. But the greatest applause
of all came when the President of France, followed by the President
of Switzerland and the First Syndic of the little Republic of Andorra,
made their appearance. Equally warm were the greetings extended to the
representatives of Mexico and the South American States.
The Sultan of Turkey.
The crowd apparently hardly knew at first how to receive the Sultan of
Turkey, but the universal good feeling was in his favor, and finally
rounds of hand clapping and cheers greeted his progress along the
splendid avenue.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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