Astoria High School - Zephyrus Yearbook (Astoria, OR)

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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

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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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and disappointment at this failure, he cared little for joking. “What did prof, say when you borrowed them?” “Nothing.” “Great Caesar, you must hypnotized him.” Billy made an attempt to keep his face straight; but it was of no avail. “Prof, would hypnotize me if he knew it,” he chuckled, ' flic boys glanced from one to the other. “Oh you kid,” rejoined Larry tantalizeingly. “Better make another trial at sailing.” “Why this clod-hopper can’t overcome the force of gravity, announced Harry. He stepped into the craft after Billy, and seated himself in what was supposed to be the bow. “Billy,’ he said in mock gravity. “Billv-me-lad we’ll make the flight together; and bovs, if we never come down, bury us beneath the bouighs of yonder spruce.” “We’ll get you first,” roared Ted, who up to this time had been exceedingly silent. The remaining three boys laughed in unison. Harry appeared a trifle hurt. “Boys, this is no trifling matter.” Billy was working at the engine; the chuk, chuk became more distinct. “Boys,” continued Harry. “Quit of the remains, first resurrect the engine.” Larry slipped the knot and Harry’s pretended gravity changed to mirth. “Oh Bill, my friend!” he shrieked. “Don’t sail her so high!” The boys who had come to watch the trial flight rolled on the ground in their glee. Only Billy’s face remained grave. While all this was going on a wonderful change took place in the Thunder: the pulses of the engine became more regular, and the faint breeze seemed to take more effect upon the craft. The boys upon the ground arose and watched with new interest. Even Harry sat up and took notice. It was all so sudden. And the Thunder hitherto quiet and sub¬ missive leaped into the air, and in its course of flight came in sudden contact with the heads of a line of wondrously stricken boys, who fell like ten-pins before the wooden hurricane. Harry, pale to the lips, grasped the side blams and closed his eyes. He was so young to die. Billy was satisfied. (To Be Continued) Fanny Gregory.