Argosy All-Story Weekly, November 12, 1927 — page 107: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE RETURN OF GEORGE WASHINGTON. this new America long enough to form opinions on such difficult problems.” ‘Do you realize that people for miles around here are crazy for a glimpse of you?” , ‘ T have been told so.” “When will you let the American people see you?” “T said before that I wish to consult with Mr. Galloway before I make any announce- ment of my plans,” ‘‘ What is the one thing, or the one place, you want to see most?” “My home at Mount Vernon.” “What next?” : ‘“ The site of Fort Duquesne.” ‘And then what, colonel?” “All America.” ‘What do you think of modern fire- arms?” The glow that came promptly to Wash- ington’s eyes showed how thoroughly his in- terest had been captured. “T have not seen modern firearms, I should like to.” One of “Professor Morgan’s Con- stabulary,” who was in the crowd about Washin#on, removed a Colt’s automatic pistol from his holster. Colonel Washington, as he had elected to be styled, examined the weapon with the greatest interest. “7d like to fire this,” he said. He was conducted to an open field beside the house. He pulled the trigger, aiming the pistol at the ground. 3 Some one urged him to pull it again. Washington did so. For the first time since he was restored to life, he was seen to smile. It was a quick, grim smile. He continued to pull the trigger until the magazine was empty. He gazed from the pistol to the holes in the turf with awe and amazement. ‘Nine shots from one pistol!” he mar- veled. ‘“ With a company of a dozen men armed with these, I would have engaged every Indian and every Frenchman in America!” “ You hated the Indians, colonel?” “ Most heartily. Where are the Indians now? I have not seen one.” “ Almost gone, colonel. They have died \ * s< —— off. The few remaining ones live off by themselves on reservations. Many of them drank themselves to death; many starved to death; a few of those who remain have become millionaires because of the oil under their lands.” “Oil?” Washington repeated. “ Petroleum.” “* Petro—” he began. stand.” _ An attempt was made to explain petro- leum to him, and gasoline. ‘““T am sorry any Indians are rich,” he presently interrupted. scalp their enemies?” He was told the Indians are now a sub- dued race, and was reminded that he had expressed a wish to use automatic pistols against the French. “Indeed I would!” he exclaimed. “ Do you hate the French?” “ With every drop of blood in my veins!” he exclaimed. “But, colonel, you later became very friendly with the French. One Frenchman, a man named Lafayette, became one of your bosom friends. You had a bedroom at Mount Vernon specially set aside for him.” | “I did?” He seemed amazed. ““ The French,” he was told, “ joined with you in the war against England which freed the American Colonies.” His amazement increased. treachery did they have in mind?” “None, colonel. And since that time the French and the American people have been on terms of loving friendship.” ‘“ Times have changed,” he murmured. “T do not under- * What r. 7 ee > ~ ea “Do they - still Bleed An attempt was made to draw forth from — Colonel Washington an even more violent . expression of opinion against the French, but he seemed to realize that he was on 5 dangerous ground, and refused to commit himself. Larry was frowning as he reflected: “ Ill have to warn him. They trapped him that time.” The interview proceeded. Washington was asked what he thought of the airplanes which were continually flying over the Morgan farmhouse with loads of sight- seers. Gomichooks con