Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-03-16

obllge me to refrain from bringing suit
against the company in case of accident.
VI course l would not be so pesky low
down as to sue corporation which
would give me a free ride. That would
be as mean as that Polish gentleman
whose wife gave birth to little Pole
sort of hop pole, as it were-on the
21st Of February. The little Pole was
born on the ferryboat Middletown. on
the Staten Island ferry, just off the
Statue OF Liberty, and suggested that
they call him Liberty Pole. But that
has nothing to do with the case. The
birth of the little fellow on board a
ferryboat, followed by reception pre-
sided over by DR.. Robinson, who hap
pened to be present, created general
good feeling among the passengers, after
which quite purse of money was
raised for the mother and child. Staten
islanders are not only generally we'll to
do, but generous, and so it was a snug
little sum which was turned over to the
poor woman, who, being somewhat ia
tlgued, turned it over to her husband.
He took the money and went to Eu-
rope with 1t on the following day. Some
men never recover from the nervous
shock of becoming a father; others are
greatly improved by sending them to
Europe. This poor man seemed to real
ize that nothing but complete change
and rest would bring back the roses to
his wan cheek.
He is over there yet. Some men. I
was going to say, are more honored in
the breach than in the observance, but
that is incorrect. This man ought to be
stripped and tied to the north pole.
Then he ought to be covered with OBJ
loquy and annoyed to death by a never
ending procession of people squeezing by
him to go and get jag, while through
eternity he is cursed by the evasive odor
of their cloven breaths as they file by on
their return, while himself perishing for
drink.
But / am wandering. l am very
grateful for the pass, and if I do not
avail myself of it l know of a man who
used to ask me to loan him my railroad
pass. will let him go, perhaps, in my
place over the road the first time, and
then when it is better ballasted will 90
myself
have several other passes over COM
peting lines-air lines, as it were-issued
years ago and decorated on the back
with low cut conditions The Besnier
flying machine, for instance, invented
by gentleman of the above name re-
siding in Sable, France, issued passes
some years ago, and have carried mine
now until 1t has Il careworn look which
casts a gloom over aerostation and sucb
things as that.
The first thing to be accomplished in
successful aerostation is to overcome the
force of gravity and the resistance of
capitalists. The next is to overcome the
force of gravity or provide easy and con-
venient places upon which to alight
The third requirement is that the aero
naut shall be able to guide his rolling
stock in such a way as to avoid running
into a brighter and more beautiful
world
M. Besnier, who was a locksmith of
Sable pronounced Sablay), invented a
flying machine which consisted of four
rectangular wings arranged in pairs at
opposite ends of two rods passing over
the shoulders, the rear extremities of the
rods being connected by cords to the
ankles of the remains-the wearer.
mean-in order to enable his legs to pay
their way by operating rear set of
wings.
Besnier was not able to rise from the
ground and soar away like lark, but
could climb to the top of a house, and
after putting on his wings could float
off In such a way as not to hurt himself
so severely as you might think that he
would. M. Besnier once flew across a
river where friends with hot spiced rum
and nice dry, warm clothes were wait
ing for him. But he never could get
over his sorrcw and disappointment that
he could not rise from the stubble when
flushed by dog or shooed by one of his
family. He died at the close of the