Towson University - Tower Echoes Yearbook (Towson, MD)

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THE TOWER LIGHT ing snow? He shook himself as if he were shaking off something fear- some and walked into the house. There lying on the bed was junior, his frail body racked with that scourge, pneumonia. After examining the child thoroughly, the doctor looked up at the father and said, This child should be in a hos- pital. What he needs is an oxygen tent. It is necessary that we exercise all possible speed in getting him there. Mr. Hughes, you own this flying field. Do you have a plane that can be used for this purpose? There is a Boeing which we were fixing that we can use, but we haven't any pilot to fly it, cried Hughes. You forget, Mr. Hughes, that that is why you brought me along, said Rawlins. Oh, you! I don't know why I should have a different opinion of you from the rest of the world. Maybe it's because I've been around flyers a long time. Anyway, if you will fly for me, I shall be indebted to you for the rest of my lifej' said Hughes. I'll do my best,', murmured Rawlins. The plane was rolled out into the field. The stretcher was carried to it. The doctor and Mr. Hughes crawled in beside the boy. Mrs. Hughes stood beside the plane and wiped her tear-reddened eyes with her hus- band's handkerchief. Her lot, perhaps, was more difficult than that of all the rest. She had to stay at home and wait. The big plane taxied to the end of the field near the hangar, turned its streamlined nose into the gale and sped down the field for the take- off. The stick shook in the hands of Rawlins as the plane was caught in a cross-wind. He steadied and gave her the gun. The tachometer registered eighty, ninety, one hundred miles an hour. joseph Rawlins breathed a sigh of relief. The first crisis was passed. Next he had to fly over those mountains to Kansas City, the same route on which he had crashed before. This time, however, he had to make it, not to show the world that he could make it but for that kid in the rear compartment. He turned the plane slowly, heading south-southeast. Now the wind screeched through the struts with new fury. Hunching over the stick, he Hung laughing defiance into the teeth of the gale. It had beaten him once but this time he would win. The plane careened wildly in an air pocket, he fought with the elements just as he had that other time, for control of the plane. She went into a dive. Got to pull out. Moun- tains. Got to pull out before it's too late. Have to do it for the kid, thought Rawlins. Kick that rudder. Pull back, back, back on that stick. She's coming. Gently now. Back gently. Ah, she's flying level again. 9 i1.35f4W

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THE TOWER LIGHT Those Who Dare HE November wind tugged at his coat. Soft Hurries of snow, which at hrst had been a caress, now were blades of ice which stabbed his chapped skin. His legs were numbed by walking. He had not had a hitch for miles. A coupe shot up the hill, passed him, slowed down, stopped. Want a lift, buddy? yelled the driver. You bet! cried the walker as he climbed into the car. I'm going as far as Butte to get a doctor. My little boy has a terrible cold. I'm afraid it might turn into something worse. You can go that far with me, if you like, said the driver. Thanks a lot Mr.-Mr., hesitated the walker. Hughes is the name, Robert Hughes, said the driver. What's yours? My name's Joseph Rawlins, said the walker, looking at the other's face to see if anything registered there. Rawlins. Rawlins? I've heard that name before. You're not 'the' joseph Rawlins of the Trans-Northern, are you? You're not the Rawlins whom the papers have been panning? The one who lost hisln. Yes, go on and say it. Lost his nerve in that snow storm. It was my plane that crashed and killed those people. The investigators said that I lost my nerve but I tell you it was ice on the wings. Everywhere I go people stare and say, 'That's joseph Rawlinsf I can't get a job any place, said Rawlins. Robert Hughes looked at Rawlins for a minute and then he said, It's strange but somehow I believe what you say. I might need a pilot if my son gets worse. If you will stay awhile maybe you may have a chance to prove what you are made of. Time had passed while they were talking. The car shot around a corner and came to a stop in front of a brownstone house. Hughes entered and within several minutes emerged with the doctor, who climbed in beside Rawlins. The car sped toward its destination. In half an hour it pulled up before a house which was situated beside a small flying field. Hughes and the doctor got out. Won't you come in, Rawlins? We shall see what the doctor says. XVe may need your services, said Hughes as he quietly opened the door. Rawlins got out of the car, looked up at the sky and shuddered. If he was called on, could he face again that driving wind, that pound- 8

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THE TOWER LIGHT He relaxed a minute, then, I must get altitude to get over these moun- tains. Only have about five hundred feet clearance. Come on baby, climb. Slowly the plane staggered up and still further up-four thousand five thousand, six thousand feet. The plane levelled. This should be enough, thought Rawlins. We are within two miles of Kansas City anyway. Only have one more range to cross. Then, as suddenly as night comes in the tropics the motor stopped. Rawlins hammered on the throttle but could get no response from the dormant engine. There is only one thing to do, he thought. We've got to glide the rest of the distance. The only thing that troubles me is that mountain range. We might make it, though. We've got to make it. The plane tossed and went into a side-slip. The snow had turned to hail and now it beat a machine-gun tattoo on the metal fuselage of the plane. The plane in- creased its speed toward the earth. Rawlins fought for control. A mountain loomed up ahead of him snow covered and ominous. He pulled back on the stick with all his might. He flung his arm over his face. The plane quivered, strained, and rose over the mountain. He saw the landing field. Then everything went black. When Rawlins awoke, the sun was streaming in the window. Then he remembered. As he sat up in bed he yelled, The plane? The kid? What happened to them? Then his eyes found the nurse. She was holding up a paper. It read, Rawlins, Famous Flyer, Braves Storm To Save Life Of Boy, Governor Asks Citation For Rawlins, read another. Smiling, Rawlins relaxed against his pillow. He slept the swiftly healing sleep of those who dare the elements and win. EVANS J. RoB1NsoN. Fr. 5. QEZCYQQ End of Storm The wind rides high tonight And sends flurries of leaves Behind me on the street. I half turn as though Some unseen presence shadows me. The angry clouds like marching sentinels Flank an awaited guest. And lo, the moon breaks through. M. C. 10