Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1897-07-03
AN AERIAL FLIGHT.

rickety grape arbor, partially support
ing myself by the tips Of my fingers as
/ chung to the second story window sill.
Marie leaned as far out as was con-
sistent with safety and rested her hand
caressingly on my shoulder. although
my love for the maiden was intense, /
could not for moment forget the I'M
certainty of my foothold, neither could
forget that the sleeping room window
of my sweetheart's father was direc tly
beneath me.
"Neverr' he had said, when / offer
ed myself to him as prospective SON
in-law. "Neverl No daughter of mine
shall marry penniless inventor,
During the many stolen interviews
which had followed the adverse deoi-
sion of the obdurate parent we had dis
cussed the situation from all points, and
ever with the same results AT last we
had decided to separate for a season
that | might the more fully devote my
time to the solution of the problem by
evolving from my mental workshop
some practical creation which would
bring to me both fame and fortune.
Marie was modern woman in every
respect She had been caught on the
psychological wave that was sweeping
around the world and was familiar with
all the 'osophies and 'ologies that ao-
companied the movement. She was an
adept in mind reading and fairly prof
Gent in the later science of telepathy.
Watch for messages, dear Jack, :"
she whispered, as she gave my shoulder
a gentle pat and drew herself within
the window. You will hear from me
often. Perhaps | may need you. Who
can tell?"
At this point the brittle frame be-
meath my feet cracked ominously, and
without further farewells clamhered
down and started out on my mission.
Ted Brown, my college chum and
oonfdant, was fully as enthusiastic as
myself over the many experiments and
inventions | had essayed, and when he
heard my story he entered heartily into
my plans, which, if perfected, would
revolutionize modern traffic and travel.
One month later found US in the
heart of the Rocky mountains and far
from the beaten trail of prospector,
sportsman or adventurer.
Our pack animals were already be-
ginning to show signs Of collapse, SO Sc
we're had been the fatigues of the noun
tain journey.
Realizing the imprudence Of farther
advance skyward, we We're about to turn
back and seek some sheltered valley i'll
IA milder atmosphere, when felt Il gen
tie pressure on my shoulder. Involun-
ta1ily | turned, expecting to see my
comrade beside me. only to find him
several feet away, pulling with all his
might the cinch strap ON ono of the
pack animals / lifted my foot to the
stirrup, and again / felt the pressure
on my shoulder, this time more forcibly
than before, and voice. could swear
it was Marie s-sounded III my ear:
Turn to the right.
In an instant her parting words fash
ed upon my mind, and almost uncon-
sciously turned in the direction indi-
Gated.
What could l do? Our plans were al
ready made. Should l yield, how could
l explain to Ted i'll satisfactory man
ner this sudden change in our move
ments?
Suddenly, without waiting for the
dreaded explanation, l shouted to him
as | sprang to my saddle, leaving him
to follow, as was quite sure he would.
AS | drew near the mountain q zig
gag seam, which reached from the sum
NIT downward, developed into a well
defined cleft, broadening at the base,
leaving an opening few feet wide,
through which l recklessly plunged
without thought of what danger
might await me-
Scarcely half a dozen steps brought
me out into an open space.
In ages agone some terrible subterra-
mean upheaval had partially cleft the
peak, and through all the countless
years that had followed the action of
frost and water had gradually worn
and crumbled the sides Of the gorge I'M
til there was formed an open circular
space several feet in diameter and near
ly surrounded by solid wall OF rock.
1t is needless to go into details con-
corning the progress Of the work. There
were the usual seasons of experiment
and failure, of hope and dependency,
but through it all the great creature
grew, until it nearly filled the little cir
Cular space.
A long, slender, hollow body, fitted
up with motor and comfortable seats;
a huge pair Of outspread canvas wings
and fan shaped ruddcr, altogether I'M
like any other aerial sailer that had yet
made its appearance. And during all
the time occupied in the construction Of
this birdlike navigator had been so Of
ten encouraged and advised when APP
parent failure confronted me by the
same voice that had led me to the spot
that it really seemed as if Marie was as
fully identified with the success Of my
undertaking as myself
"All aboardr' shouted Ted as we took
our seats and Oppued the valves that