A cry of joy went up from the readers of the message from Professor Morse, many remembering how his first message, “What hath God wrought?” had broken the fetters of time and annihilated space, and now comes a second message to break the shackles of human belief.
All day and evening messages were exchanged between the planets Mars and Jupiter, nothing undergoing censorship.
“Bogy” got in the first deadhead message to the Earth. It was addressed to John B. Taltavall, publisher Telegraph and Telephone Age, and announced his safe arrival on the planet Jupiter. He did not neglect sending “73” to all of his friends on Earth.
Adam Sends “73” to His Posterity
Adam sent a message to his children, grandchildren ad infinitum. He was at a loss what to say to the posterity on Earth, as his legacy to them was a chapter of misery, but “Bogy,” with his usual effrontery and nonchalance, remarked, “Why Grandpa Adam, just do as I did—send them all your ‘73’”—which was done amid wild applause.
Noah, who was the first shipbuilder we know anything about, was greatly interested in listening to Homer Hallock relate of the era of shipbuilding on Earth.
Methusaleh smiled a trifle loftily when Jerry Newton told about the Texas woman who still lives at 130 years. “She is not my class at all,” ejaculated Methusaleh; “she belongs to Esau and Jacob and the younger generation.”
Intense interest was manifested when Adam took the floor during the evening for a little talk.
The newcomers are objects of much interest to the old sojourners on Jupiter, there having been no accessions from the Earth or Mars for as much as a thousand years, as nearly as anyone could reckon time, there being no established manner of computing the years.
Mark Twain, America’s great humorist, was with the new arrivals from Mars and, true to his colors, facetiously asked Nero if he would not play the Sailors’ Hornpipe on his fiddle, so all could have a dance, and wonderful to relate, Nero produced the instrument and graciously played the piece.