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Page 25 text:
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FACING THE ENEMY {Prize Story) WAY in the heart of the Sierras, in one of the beautiful little mountain meadows, was the cabin of Alec Sinclair, where he lived with his wife and son. The boy, Alec, Jr., was a perfect speci¬ men of young manhood, with muscles of iron and a face which spoke unmistakably of strength and kindness combined. He had received a fairly good education and was now helping his father, whose duty it was to see that the lakes of a prominent electric company were always full of water. It required endurance and bravery to travel through these lonely and dangerous mountains in winter and many were the times that he rejoiced in his strength. He and his parents led a rather secluded life away from the outer world and it took many days for the daily happenings to reach them. So when America entered the war in April, they knew nothing about it until the middle of May, when Alec was at Cisco, one of the many supply stations he visited on his monthly report trip. lie immediately wanted to enlist and serve with the thousands of other young men of his country, because life was just beginning to call him from his common toil, and thoughts of seeing the world outside were growing within his heart. Not because he did not like the old home, or was tired of his work, but because he felt it was his duty to help his country, in whose most beautiful bosom he had lived so long, he desired to go; and when he reached home he thought long about the matter. He told bis parents of his desire in a few days, however, and asked their opinion. A gleam of pride came into his father’s eyes as he placed a hand on his son’s shoulder and said, “Alec, my boy, of course you can go; I’m glad that you want to.” Tears gathered in his mother’s eyes and she hesitated a moment, but finally she said, “My son, it’s your duty,—go, and God bless you.” So the next day Alec was off. As his father clasped his hand when he said good-bye, he gave him a small Bible, and opened to the fly leaf, on which was written, “Keep your face to the enemy.” As he strode over the trail to the railroad, his heart was a little heavy, and, as he reached the top of the hill, he turned and looked for the last time at the old cabin. In the door stood his parents, his mother waving her bonnet and his father’s hand upheld in salute. Then he waved his hat back, turned, and went down the other side of the divide, leaving the cabin and his parents behind. — 21 —
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Page 26 text:
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THE ENTERPRISE ’18 As the train neared the large cities, he was amazed at the crowds of people and at the size of the buildings. When he sped across the Central States he wondered at the broad, flat fields of grain and corn, for his horizon had always been the sharp snow-clad peaks. On reach¬ ing Aew York he was sent to a large aviation school, having joined that branch of the service in Sacramento. After five months of training he was sent to France. No mishaps occurring on the way across the water, he soon landed on French soil, and was immediately sent to the front. It was not long before he had downed his first German plane, and he felt justly proud of his deed. He was mentioned as one of the first American aviators to succeed in bringing an enemy plane to earth, and his parents read of his exploit as they sat by the fire one winter even¬ ing. Sitting by themselves they often thought of Alec, and tonight as they sat by the fireside, the mother’s eyes were lovingly resting on his portrait, and blinking to rstrain the tears of love which tried to force their way. After a few moments she picked up an old sewing box which she had found during the day, took out two knitting needles and a ball of wool, and began to knit. In a little while x41ec Sinclaire looked up from his paper and saw her busy with her work It had been many years since she had knitted and the work did not progress very rapidly. What.are you doing with them sticks!” he asked, wonderingly. “Knitting,’’ she answered, slowly. ‘‘Knitting,” he said, still puzzled, “What are you knitting for?” “Why, for Alec. Don’t you think he’d like a sweater?” she asked, and her eyes again sought the portrait. “Over there” Alec was sitting in one of the Y. M. C. A. lmts, talking to his comrades and telling the new-comers of his battle in the air. He had brought down ten German planes already, and had been awarded the medal of the Legion of Honor and two other medals for personal bravery. During the heavy fighting around Verdun he had done splendid work., and had received the rank of Captain Sinclair. One morning, a short time later, he was flying in a machine that carried eight bombs, and came upon a German observation balloon, guarded bv two planes He immediately attacked them, and after very skillful fighting and dodging,, he managed to destroy the planes. Then he attempted to capture the balloon without injuring it, but in doing so he failed to see two more German fliers coming behind him. When about 500 yards distant, they began to fire. He glanced quickly at his gasoline supply and his bombs, and noticed that the supply of both was low. However, he circled around toward the oncoming planes and by good fortune was able to put one of them out of commission.’ Lut b this time his bombs were all gone, and he realized the liopeless- .— 22 —
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