There was some delay in making the preparations and before the main event was reached it was suggested by Hank Bogardus that the business be suspended for the time being, so that all could witness a game of base ball about to open on the Elysian Fields, at the rear of the tournament hall. “Those base ball enthusiasts,” said Bogy, “will make such a noise that it will be impossible to hear our instruments in the hall, and I for one do not want to have the beautiful Morse that will be in evidence drowned out.”
All agreed to the suggestion and forthwith there was a parade from the hall to the ball grounds of famous telegraphers that shone in the earthly telegraph firmament in years gone by.
It was interesting to hear the remarks made by these former “knights of the key” as the different plays were made, showing plainly that they had not lost any of their former enthusiasm for the national game.
“Who is the manager of the office on the grounds?” inquired Billy Blanchard. “Bring him up here so he can enjoy the game with us,” but before that official could be found and Billy’s request carried out the game had finished and the telegraph crowd returned to the hall to take up their work where they left off. When they got back and seated it was evident that they were hardly in the right frame of mind, after the excitement over the base ball game, to resume the details of their own work, so President Catlin said that as there was no hurry to finish the work in hand he suggested that the tournament be adjourned until the next day. This would give all hands a chance to get over the effects of their base ball experience and be able to concentrate their thoughts upon the more important work in hand.
This suggestion was gladly accepted and all filed out and boarded a canal craft for a ride down one of the Martian waterways in the beautiful moonlight.
CHAPTER XI.
CLEVELAND DAY ON THE PLANET
MARS
THE BULLETIN board, which was the azure blue sky of Mars, contained the names of many new arrivals by fast express train from the terrestrial planet. These bulletins were seared into the bright sky by an electric pen wielded by wireless telegraph, which left an impression plainly visible and legible to all on the planet, and as there is no slumber or tired feeling on the planet Mars, all of its sojourners were on the qui vive in anticipation of meeting old friends.
“Ah! There’s Nelson A. Buell, of Cleveland, Ohio,” cried out A. H. Vanduzer, and instantly the Cleveland fraternity marshalled into line, as one great body, to welcome the arrival of one of its loved members while on Earth.
It was easy to recognize the face and form of the former manager of the Cleveland office, with his Napoleonic face, from which radiated love and kindness for his brother man.