Astoria High School - Zephyrus Yearbook (Astoria, OR)

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neglected his studies in order to give some secret undertaking his particular attention; and ail the lower-middle fellows knew that if the faculty had become “wise” to his actions, he would have been disgraced immediately. College boys have an excellent knack of keeping things in the dark, so with the aid of a dingy lantern and a deserted room in the old work shed, Curtis Jr. had planned and constructed his mode of an air-ship, which in his estimation was destined to sail all around that of the acknowledged first aviators of the day, the Wright Brothers. Billy designed his engines in a truly amazing style, the greatest part of the apparatus being secretly borrowed in the small hours of the morning from the Physics laboratory of the College. Billy could not very well afford the expence of a real engine, and besides lie didn’t see much sense in spending his money before he knew whether the trial flight of the Thunder would be successful. The new inventor kept his secret to himself: no one knew or ever dreamed of his operations, and when the ship was reach- for exhibition, his closest friends were completely astounded by an invitation which read : On the Quiet. At 3.30 this afternoon. — In the meadow by the giant spruce. — The Thunder, build and designed by William Glendale Curtis Jr. tours the heavens on her initial trip.” The invitation was opened in the room of Larry Stebbens, three hours before the event was to take place. Larry read it aloud to the other four occupants of the room; and after a moment of puzzled expectancy they broke into hearty laughter. Jack Jones danced a horn-pipe on Ted Lacy’s toes, while Harry Stevens and Bob Love- bridge excuted a fancy “barn dance” around the center table. To be sure, the contents of the note was mystery to them, but Billy ' s closest friends scented something of adventure and fun. To see a real or sham air-ship in operation was a treat for them; consequently, they arrived at the giant spruce in the meadow two hours before the time set indicated bv the invitation. In due time the Thunder and its owner arrived, and the bovs began the inspection related in the opening of the story. “A good sailer. spoke up Billy proudly, “and she’s bound to make a record. Do you mean to tell me that that thing can sail?” “Say, Fat, you going to sail her?” “Got your life insured, Billy-me-boy ? an —” “Where ' d you get the swell looking engines?” “Do you expect that little frame-work to lift your two-hundred and fifty pounds?” William Glendale Curtis Jr. politely answered all the questions that were propounded to him. Yes — he was going to sail her; and no, — his life wasn’t insured. . lhe Thunder twitched uneasily with a sudden breath of the wind, and the owner tightened his hold upon the ropes.

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boarding house next door, who used to be a circus trainer and manager, and John knew he would like to re-engage in his formei profession. So the owner made arrangements to have him train them for the exorbitant price of $75 a week, and planned a perform¬ ance within two weeks. He then spent 1 $35 of the remainder on food for the three animals, buying mince pies, lemon pies, cake, apples, meat of high grade, fruits of all kinds, nuts, pickles; in short he almost put one grocery store out of business; off of everything he bought, he would break small pieces and give them to the three, and one by one, they would smell and sniffle and one by one, wouild turn up their noses at them. The only thing they would eat being beef-heart, which the old man advised getting for them. As time went on, John had delicious meals, which Bates pre¬ pared for him, because as he was of a very economical turn of mind, he could not waste all the stock of eatables bought. At the end of the week, John Mitchell was the owner of three most pitiful and forlorn looking animals. Mehitable’s feathers were straggling and drooping and Julius Caesar and Jupiter went moping around with their tails hanging, bearing that injured air, so peculiar to either a dog or a cat. Although they seemed very submissive, they gave John no little trouble. One day at the end of the first week when John was eating his dinner, Mehitable flew out of her cage around the room, knocked over several vases, broke a lamp, turned over furniture, and just as she was sitting on the chandelier, laughing and scream¬ ing at what she had done, John entered, perceived in a moment what she had been up to, grabbed a broom, brought it down, — not on Mehitable who had made a timely exit, but on the chandelier, breaking it into thousand pieces. (To be continued.) Margaret Griffin. flDemorable Dosage of the fTbunber The Thunder, gorgeous in its fresh coat of red paint, lay out upon the grass for inspection. Half a dozen curious boys were examining every detail, and the proud owner and inventor, Mr. William Glendale Curtis Jr. took delight in exhibiting this pride of his life. Every one present knew that Billy Curtis dropped the team and

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“She acts like “a kicker all right, old man, shouldn’t wonder il the blooming thing would sail and Larry Stebbens got down upon his knees and took another look at the engines. It oughter fly, tellars, — explained Billy. “Tthe diagram is perfect, and if the engines work as they should, I have no doubt but that the trip will be successful. You see that the steering apparatus is u:p to the best standard, and the ropes cannot possibly get mixed, furthermore. I’ve read enough on air-ships to under¬ stand fully how to handle them.’’ Wont express any opinion until you make the ‘ ' flight” — sweetly announced Bob Lovebridge. It’s three-thirty now. All aboard! Hurrah for the Thunder!” In his exu ' rberance of glee. Jack Lacv tossed his class cap of blue and gold far into the air. The remaining boys picked up the yell; and, amid the extensive cheers of his class-mates Billy, a trifle nervous, yet with a very decided look upon his face stepped into the the apparently tame and ruly Thunder. After seating himself and examining the ropes, he spoke to I larry Stevens : When I say go, — let the rone there slip; and then all of you “Vamoose”, for I won’t vouch for the safety of the craft at all. It would be distressing to you, especially so to the Thunder if she should fall upon your heads. How, for my sake “cut out” your grinning, and remain quiet. On hand, Harry.” In a second the engine was started, the chuk, chuk almost drownin the voices of the now interested boys; but above it’s babble Larry managed to roar: ‘AVhen you come down, you’ll find us under the tree.” Billy in a daze scarcely heard him; and, as the noise of the engine increased, he grasped the ropes more tightly. Harry, hand on the anchor line, awaited the command to slip the knot. At last it came : and the ship was free. Harry made for the giant-spruce at a two-ten rate; but the Thnnder never moved: not even a quiver came over her frame. From beneath the tree there came a roar; and the student quintette rushed out to bestow mock congratulations upon their disappointed class-mate. Billy pulled ropes, squirmed and kicked, but of no avail: his beloved, new plaything refused to move. Billy clamored out and examined the engine. Finding nothing wrong, he slipped the tie knot over the stake, and taking out rather a dingy handkerchief mopped his brow. “The Thunder ’am condemmed,” announced Bob with owl-like gravity. At a repeated whir of the engine his face showed interest. “I say Fat, where’d you get the engines?” “Borrowed them.” “Borrowed them? “You bet.” “Appears like I’ve seen them before,” Harry snickered, and Lacy grinned. “They ' re not worth much.” scoffed Billy. Tn his humiliation