Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-07-01
THURM0NT, Frederick County, Maryland Thursday, July I, 1897

"They think we are regular Non.
key show" grumbled tho American.
Look how the crowd is gaping ard
showing and fighting for places to see
u.s."
"It's your legs they want to behold,
old fellow. Do you know never knew
you had such knotty knee joints. Did
you ever have rheumatism? wish I
had 'em. They wouldn't put mo to
death-they would make me the chief
attraction in the royal museum"
Thorndyke concluded his jest with
laugh, but the face Of his friend did
not brighten.
"You bet that medical examination
means something serious" he said
"Poohl" And the Englishman slapped
his friend playfully cn the shoulder.
"Since l have seen that vast crowd
Of we'll developed people and remember
what that medicine man said have
made up my mind that we are going to
be separated. Poor Johnston 8 lip was
quivering.
"Rubbishl But there comes the cap
tain. Put en- bold front. Talk up New
York. Tell 'em about Chicago and the
fair and ask to be allowed to ride in
their Ferris wheel. If they aim 'tgot any
wheel, ask em when the first train
leaves town"
"This is no time for Jokes" growled
Johnston as TradmCs returned. Trad
mos motioned to something that in the
distance looked like a carriage, but
which turned ont to be flying ma
chine 1t rose gracefully and glided
over the ground and settled at their
feet. 1t was large enough to seat a doz-
en- people, and there was q little glass
windowed compartment at the eId, in
which they could SEQ 1.-THE driver" as
he was termed by Tradmos. The niys-
terious machinery was hidden in the
woodwork overhead and beneath.
"Get in, said the captain, and the
door flew open as if Of its own accord.
Thorndyke went in first and was follow
ed by the moody American. LET up on
the ague," jested Thorndyke, nudging
his friend with his elbow. IF you keep
on quivering like that, you may shake
the thing loose from its moorings, and
we'd never know what became ct US.
Johnston scowled, and the officer,
who had overheard the remark, smiled
as he leaned toward the window and
gave some directions to the man in the
other compartment.
"You both take it rather coolly," he
remarked to Thorndyke. II took man
and a woman over this route several
years ago, and both Of them were i'll a
dead faint; but, in fact, you have moth
ing to fear We never have acci.
dents ;"
1T is safe as balloon, suppose,
and we are at home in them" said the
Englishman, with just the hint of
swagger in his tone.
''But your balloons are poor, primi-
tive things at best" returned Tradmos
in his soft voice. They can't be com.
pared to this mode Of travel, though, Of
course. our machines would not operate
in your atmosphere. "
"Why not?" impulsively asked the
Englishman. Il thought
But he did not conclude his remark,
for they were rising, and both he and
Johnston leaned apprehensivoly forward
and looked out of one Of the windows.
Down below the long lines of people
were silently waving their hats, scarfs
and handkerchiefs as the machine swept
along over their heads. AS they rose
higher the scene below widened like
great circular fan, and in the delicate
roselight the whole so appealed to
Thorndy ke s artistic sense that he ejacu-
lated:
GLORIOUS! Superb! Transcendent!"
And he directed Johnston s attention to
the wonderful pinkish haze which lay
over the view toward the west like q
vast diaphanous web of rosy sunbeams
"You ask why our airships would not
operate in your atmosphere, said the
captain, showing pleasure at Thorn
dykes enthusiasm. ''It is simple enough
when you have studied the climatic
differences between the two countries.
You have much to contend with-the
winds, for instance, the heat and Geld,
etc. This is the only known country
where the winds are subjugated. have
never been in your world, but from
what ! have heard of it am not anx-
ious to see it, Your atmosphere and eli
mate are so changeable and so diverse
in different localities that l have heard
your people spend much of their time
in seeking congenial climes. l think it
was q man who came from London that
claimed he once had n cold-'a bad
csld,' think he called it. 1t was q
standing joke i'll the royal family fer
long time, and he heard so much about
it that he tried to deny what he had
said"
Johnston glanced at the speaker non
plused, but the captain was locking at
Thorndyke.
Your climate is delightful here
now," said the Englishman. is it SO
long at timer"
"Perpetually. 1t is regulated every
moment. and every year we perfect it
in some way"
Perfect it?"
"Yes, of course. Why not? If it ever
fails to be up to the usual high stand
ard, it is owing to neglect of those i'll
charge, and neglect is punished Sc
verely."
Thorndyke's eyes sought those Of the
American incredulously, seeing which
Tradmos looked amused.
"You doubt it," he smiled. "Well,
wait till you have heen here longer.
The fact is, any one born i'll our climate
could not live in yours The king ex-
perimented on man who claimed to
have only one lung, but who had two
sound ones when he was cut open. Well,
tho Linz sent him To Ghiua CT America