The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1898-06-23

his IS no time Tor Jokes, grOwled
Johnston as Tradmos returned. Trad
mos motioned to something that in the
distance looked like carriage, but
which turned out to be a flying ma
chine 1t rose gracefully and glided
over the ground and settled at their
feet. 1t was large enough to seat dcz-
en- people, and there was little glass
windowed compartment at the end, in
which they could see the driver as
he was termed by Tradmos. The mys-
terioCs 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," TESTED 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 of u.s.
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 IhoriAylSe. Il took a man
and a woman over this route several
years ago, and both of them were in q
dead faint; but, III fact, you have moth
ing to fear. We never have acct
dents.''
TT is safe as balloon, I suppose,
and we are at home in them" said the
Englishman, with just the hint of a
swagger in his tone.
''But your balloons are poor, print
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?" impulsiyely asked the
Englishman. "Ithought"-
But he did not conclude his remark,
for they were rising, and both he and
Johnston leaned apprehensively 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
alcng over their heads. AS they rose
higher the scene below widened like a
great circular fan, and in the delicate
roselight the whole SO appealed to
Thorndyke's artistic sense that he ejacu-
lated:
"Glorieus! Superb! TranscendentW
And he directed Johnston s attention to
the wonderful pinkish haze which lay
over the view toward the west like a
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. sit 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 cold,
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 / have heard
your people spend much of their time
in seeking congenial climes. I think it
was man who came from London that
claimed he once had a cold-'a bad
cold, think he called it. 1t was a
standing joke in the royal family for a
long time, and he heard SO much about
it that he tried to deny what he had
Said. "
Johnston glanced at the speaker nom
plused, but the captain was looking at
Thcrndyke.
Your climate is delightful here
now, = said the Englishman. Is it SO
long at q timer
.Perpetnally. It is regulated every
moment. and every year we perfect it
in some way
Perfect it?''
Eyes Of course. Why not? If it ever
fails to be up to the usual high stand
ard, it is owing to neglect Of those in
charge, and neglect is punished Sc
verely. /"
TO BE CONTINUED.