The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-27
TfiE GREAT ENGL AVIAN FUTURITY RACE.

The streets of Pstrax were thronged with Englanians from all parts of the equatorial belt who had come to witness the great futurity. As the event took place at the end of every cycle of twenty five years the short lived race had but one chance to see it in life time. As a result the race attracted universal atten- tion and was the greatest contest held at that advanced day.
 The furnished thoroughfares presented lively appearance and the sound of fes- tivity was everywhere. It was evening. The pale sun had disappeared from the heavens. leaving the earth cold and deso- late. Only within the ohrystal domed cities ! was there heat. High above Petrax the flash of many-colored lights betokened airships Hitting through space toward the Englanian city There were Martian vessels and craft from distant cities on the earth. All were driving along at rapid rate in order to deliver their pas- sengers into the gay scenes of the cap ital. On one of the brilliantly lighted avenues, where the throng was the great est and the merriment at its height young fellow with round shoulders, shifty eye, and a tenderloin face was slowly threading his way among the pleasure-seekers. Suddenly a grim spread over his features and he greeted fash fly dressed individual with an affection of joviality.
 Hal Tacot. doest thou wager on the race tomorrow? They tell me Topax In the Cardiac has a sure thing, and I just rd CoIa of Ina Lunar Tallium mine. wager one million dattos that the Cardiac will be first to cross the band of light over the moon- He is a wise old fox, with his fifteen years, and seldom makes a mistake. Fol- low his example"
 The other appeared indifferent.
 Well, I don't know We will see about that when the race Is over By the God dess of Reason the crown Is largel heard yesterday that huge fleet of three hundred ships left Petrax for the moon bearing piungers who will witness the finish. Have you seen the Polopheme? They say her latest percussion gun is the most powerful ever placed on racer. Tepox Is her driver. It is runored that he is heavily backed as result of his great performance at the inter r-planetary meet when he reached Mars three hours ahead of the field By the way won hundred tHOusaHu uattOS on that TdCes "A Up
 The. youth locker wise.
 Look me up on the piazza in the morn- ing. I may be able to put you next to pyrodum mine"
 The two Englanians parted and were soon swallowed up in the crowd. The youth quickened his pace and directed his course toward the outskirts of town. Soon he arrived in the suburbs where the stiffness presented marked contrast to the noise and gaety from which he had just come. Stealing silently along the avenues the youth arrived at a large structure which loomed up near the east ern gates of Petrax All seemed quiet and deserted, but on listening intently the prowler heard the steady tramp of sentry. This was the stable of Jetox, where the Cardiac and several other rac- ing vessels of the plutocrat were housed.
 Slipping into the courtyard which sur rounded the barn, the youth crouched low on the ground and waited. Minutes heightened into hours and still he knelt, immovable In the darkness. The steps of the sentry soon began to lag and then stopped short. While the mans back was turned the youth stole silently into the stable. It was easy to pick out the trim Cardiac among four or five airships with in the building. By the side of the racer the intruder again knelt down and took from his cloak tool A Snght rasplnS noise was heard as if one were loosening bolts. His task completed, the tout wait ed his opportunity and passed out into the night.
 Petrax was stirring at the first trace of dawn the next morning. and vast crowds surged along the streets toward the eastern gates. Without, on broad plain, the two airshps were ready for the great race to the moon. The best pre- vious time ever made was eight hours and 1t was hoped to lower the record to seven and a half. Both the Cardiac and the Polopheme represented the highest type of aerial racers. They were equipped with powerful percussian guns that would send them flying intp space at a rate of 100000 miles an hour. On the prov of each vessel were pyrodium headlights that would shine far out into space. lighting up the track of the speeding earth missiles. Just beneath the lights were huge whistles which were blown by the rush of the wind when an atmosphere was entered. and could be heard for many leagues. These warning signals could also be sounded from within the vessels and served to clear the way of any wandering voyagers. It was gener- ally conceded that the Cardiac and the Polopheme represented the utmost perfec- tion yet attained by Englanan builders. Both drivers were experienced aerial Jockeys, and the outcome of the race was awaited with intense interest.
 Suddenly amid the plaudits of the null titude the two slender cones rise grace fully in the air and execute a number of x,,ope,,vera while the crowd make wagerS