“First in war, first in peace,” began Abraham Lincoln, addressing the “Father” of his country, but he was interrupted by General Washington, who extended his hand, remarking “And I will shake hands with him who is first in the hearts of his countrymen.” Mr. Lincoln agreed to share that honor with his illustrious patron and friend, and the cannons belched forth the regulation presidential salute.
A little hatchet with a cherry handle was suspended from General Washington’s belt, a little after the style in which the Scotchman wears his paint brush.
Many old British generals were present but not in line. Marquis De Lafayette, smiling and full of bonhomme, went up and down the line, shaking hands with the presidents and soldiers alike.
The bulletin board on the planet Mars is on the azure sky and an electric pen propelled by wireless telegraph copies off in red ink, not unlike tongues of fire, indelibly all items of news.
George Washington and his heroes were reading the latest bulletins from the big war, and as they read a look of deep concern covered the faces of all. “I don’t like this late news,” said the general, “but I know my country is in safe hands and that President Wilson will be backed by congress in everything he may want to undertake. But this is not war, it is barbarism.”
“We fought like gentlemen,” ejaculated Lord Cornwall, and General Washington doffed his hat to acknowledge the compliment.
“It will be all right to delay giving any advice to President Wilson until he really needs it,” continued Gen. Washington, “but I wish to inform him that he has a mighty army up here in Mars who will appear at the proper time to lend aid and assistance to his efforts.”
“Come, my illustrious predecessor, come with me and after a little speech-making we will partake of the hospitality of the Pleiades Club.” Thus spoke Abraham Lincoln as he took the arm of George Washington for a stroll around the grand stand.
“I was very much interested in telegraphy and telegraph operators during my career at the White House,” Mr. Lincoln continued, “and I wish to introduce you to some of those I met and who will, no doubt, take part in this tournament, now about to take place.”
“We had nothing but ‘wig-wagging’ from the tops of high hills and some signal fires during my time,” said General Washington, “and this new invention by my dear friend, Professor Morse, came to serve his country in good stead, and I will be delighted to meet all your old telegraph friends.”