How We Make Mirth for Future Generations

GALILEO they laughed at, and then threatened to burn, for he was in advance of his time. So with the men who gave us the locomotive and the steamship and the other manifold wonders, and made it possible for even dullards and skeptics to shine by reflected light. What would they of a century ago have said to him who proposed telegraphy, and without wires?

Well, we go on making mirth for future generations just as if we had none of these object lessons before us to lessen our folly and curb our disbelief.

Sergeant Adams, a policeman, is confronted by a genius who requests a temporary loan of $30,000,000 to construct airships and so solve the dusty problem of rapid transit for all time. "People don't want a tunnel, they want to fly," said this would be benefactor of mankind. His tale rings true. Who would compare a gloomy tunnel with swift transition through the ether?

But what says the sergeant? Does he recognize the prophet? Does he see a great light? Does he produce the $30,000,000 and so hitch his wagon to a star, as Emerson advised all to do? Not he.

"Kelly," he says, in the patois of his kind, "Kelly, put this bug in with the other insecks!" And thus, having learned nothing from the wonders he sees about him; having learned no lesson from Marconi or Tesla, the sergeant sends Galileo to the stake, the airship man to a cell.

Thus by the brutal ignorance of our servants we, the people, are robbed of the wings which genius offers us, and must continue to pay our nickels for the privilege of riding home at a snail's pace, whereas we should wing our way homeward like the swallows. Oh, it is monstrous!