Advanced Chemistry

Advanced Chemistry (in Short Science Fiction Collection 011 )

There is a lot of entertainment and also a great

deal of truth in this story. We recommend it highly.

Professor Carbonic was diligently at work in his spacious laboratory,

analyzing, mixing and experimenting. He had been employed for more than

fifteen years in the same pursuit of happiness, in the same house, same

laboratory, and attended by the same servant woman, who in her long

period of service had attained the plumpness and respectability of two

hundred and ninety pounds.

"Mag Nesia," called the professor. The servant's name was Maggie

Nesia--Professor Carbonic had contracted the title to save time, for in

fifteen years he had not mounted the heights of greatness; he must work

harder and faster as life is short, and eliminate such shameful waste

of time as putting the "gie" on Maggie.

"Mag Nesia!" the professor repeated.

The old woman rolled slowly into the room.

"Get rid of these and bring the one the boy brought today."

He handed her a tray containing three dead rats, whose brains had been

subjected to analysis.

"Yes, Marse," answered Mag Nesia in a tone like citrate.

The professor busied himself with a new preparation of zinc oxide and

copper sulphate and sal ammoniac, his latest concoction, which was about

to be used and, like its predecessors, to be abandoned.