The Tachypomp

Edward Page Mitchell

Library - Science Fiction and Fantasy Project Gutenberg Science Fiction _isfdb shortfiction shortstory

Publisher: Charles Scribner's Sons

Published: Jan 2, 1884

Magazine: Stories by American Authors Vol. 5

Description:

[a] The Tachypomp. (Scribner's Magazine, March 1874) Furnace, a rather unscholarly student, would like to marry Abscissa, daughter of mathematics professor Surd. The professor, who scorns non-mathematicians, caustically sets Furnace a nearly impossible task as a condition for his consent. Furnace must devise a system for attaining a speed of sixty miles per minute. 

#  Furnace goes to his friend and tutor, the eccentric Rivarol, who declares the problem easy: One simply places moving trains piggyback atop one another, adding their velocities until the professor's requirement is met. 

#  As Furnace dashes out to arrange funding, he stumbles into a trap that Rivarol maintains for bill collectors. This is an opening into a tunnel that passes through the center of the earth. He might oscillate back and forth indefinitely before settling at the center of the earth. 
*  But it is all a dream. He fell asleep while awaiting the professor, who, to Furnace's surprise, readily gives his consent to the marriage. 
*  Miscellaneous point: Rivarol is concerned with perpetual motion. 
*  Amusing in a contrived way.