practical working conditions, of eighty-five to
ninety, or even ninety-five, per cent.
The question that now immediately confronts
the physicist and engineer, in the great problem
of supplying the world with a new ultimate source
of power adequate to the present and future de
mands, is to put this free, universal, unlimited
supply of energy, without any transformation of it,
to directly actuating our magneto-electric ma
chinery already made.
The present methods of obtaining electrical
energy from mechanical energy through heat
from chemical energy cannot meet the require
ments of the present condition, and needs, and
intelligence, of the world.
The direct application, without any transfor
mation, of the magneto-electric energy of solar
radiation will mark the next epoch of man’s his
tory and create and minister a new age of the
world.
Two classes of perhaps posssible methods of
making this direct application of radiant solar
energy, and some experiments begun under one
of them, were briefly mentioned.
THE POPULAR YOUNG MAN
Yes, Charles Dolasfund was a good sort of fel
low, and though it might be said that he had not
a close friend to his name yet it is none the less
true that he had no one to wish him the least mis
fortune. A jovial fellow who gave the hardest
grind as warm a welcome as the more frequent
caller. His room was generally open all hours of
the day and night, and call when you would, a
crowd of fellows might always be found there.
One evening last week I dropped in to have my
usual evening chat with him, and luckily found
him alone. He was leaning back on his chair,
his feet on the window sill, a “Descriptive” up
side down on his knees, leisurely puffing at a pipe
and watching the smoke curling and floating out
the open, window. A far away look was in his
eyes, and occasionally a smilS flitted across his
THE FREE LANCE.
handsome features, so pale and wan from late
hours of writing ponies and cramming for the or
deals so rapidly approaching.
He turned as I approached and 1 noted a
troubled expression on his face. Flinging myself
into the nearest chair, I soon had him drawn into
a conversation. “Chum,” said he, “I’mgoingto
let you into the whole affair. I’m in a pretty box
now and need your help to get out. You know
last Easter vacation I was down home and met a
daisy girl, all smiles and dimples, and all that you
know. Had a big time with her. Well, before I
left I gave her an invite to come over for com
mencement, and now I just got a letter saying
that she will be over to-morrow.”
“Well, you ought to be joyful, I’m thinking,”
I put in.
“Joyful! Do you know that my paternal
ancestor has shut down on the cash and I
had to borrow some to see me through the term ?
How’s a fellow to have any fun if he has no cash?
She must go to the hop of course, must have a few
drives too, and then theres the bakery and flowers
for the exercises and other items ad-infinitum. I’ll
be busted before I begin man. Then where am I
to get time to get ready for my examinations?
It will be my duty to flunk in Descriptive and
History, I suppose, and that means more money,”
and he throws his book into the corner of the
room as other fellows come in, and cards and
-cigarettes are the order of the evening.
Well, by hard labor before the rest are up,
Charles manages to pass his examinations by the
skin of his teeth, and is genuinely . surprised on
being told so by his professors. Now, as his
father has sent him some money, he must cele
brate. Then the young lady appears on the scene
his visits to the cottage are suddenly discon
tinued.
What pleasant moonlight walks they did enjoy
that week, and what pleasure those long drives
afforded. Then, who but they knew of the pleas
ant little secrets which were exchanged upon these
occasions, when for the time, all thoughts of ex-