Everybody was on the qui vive, but all was harmony and a feeling of brotherly love pervaded the inhabitants of this joyous planet.
CHAPTER IX.
WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
ON THE PLANET MARS
ALL OF the telegraph people residing on the planet Mars had gathered around in the grand stand to get a front view in the tournament which was scheduled to come off February 22, Washington’s birthday. There was no crowding or elbowing or pushing, as there was a place for everyone, and everybody was in his place.
A gigantic sounder was in the middle of the arena specially arranged so all could hear, and many good-natured jokes were told on this instrument while waiting for the big event to take place.
All ex-members of the profession were there and there were no goats or black sheep, and only joy and happiness prevailed. It did one’s soul good to see the forms and faces of the old linemen and battery men who were in the assemblage, all of whom were on the alert for line or battery trouble, just as they were erstwhile on Earth, and all seemed anxious to do something to make the tournament an affair never to be forgotten. They included such old-time linemen as George Melton, Harry Collins, Joe Keenan, Tom Dushane, John Crouch, Tommy Calahan, Delos Rich, Jimmy Brush and many others well known in their day.
At this juncture a great noise was heard across the river Styxx—the name is spelled with a double “x” on Mars. Shots from fowling pieces, small pistols, hurrahing and cheering of all kinds were distinguished behind a column of dust which, presently clearing away, disclosed to view an immense army of regulars and irregulars, some clad in uniform, bearing rifles, but mostly composed of a uniformed delegation bearing weapons of a more ancient date.
Fifes and drums were playing, adding inspiration to the scene. A herald appeared before the grand stand and announced that this being Washington’s birthday it was only immensely proper to pay the respects to that great personage, inasmuch as he was coming with his Continental troops to celebrate the day and participate in the tournament.
Just then the first column of General Washington’s army swung into line, bivouacking on the green sward fronting the grand stand. A long list of generals and presidents arrived in carriages, but Thomas Jefferson, with true Jeffersonian simplicity, appeared mounted on a milk white steed.