The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1906-10-27

From below sounds Of excstcuent
were audible. here 4nG tf
and now &C. cam OF horror. as some
newcomer realized our position.
Hawkins. | said. solemnly, why
don't you make vow right nov that
If we ever get out of this alive
Pingl went the third wire. The
auto auto swayed gently for mo-
ment.
You'll never invent another thing
as long as you live?"
"Griggs." said Hawkins, in trem-
bling tones. Il almost believe that
you are right. Where on earth can
that hook and ladder be? Yes. you
are right. I'll do-I'il-can you see
them yet, Griggs? III 90 il l
swear"
Ping Ping. Pingl
Still sitting upon the cushions. l
felt my heart literally leap into my
throat My eyes closed before a sud
den rush of wind. Ny hands gripped
out wildly.
For one infnitesimal second, | was
astonished at the deathly stiffness Of
everything. Then the roar OF a thou
sand voices nearly deafened me. the
seat seemed to hurl me violently into
the air. for another brief instant
shot through space. Then my hands
clutched some ones hair. and
crashed to the ground, with an oblig-
ing stout man underneath
And / knew that still livedl
Well, the auto had dropped-that
was all. Ready hands placed me
upon my feet Vaguely | realized
that DR.. Brotherton, our physician,
was running his fingers rapidly over
my anatomy.
Later he addressed me through a
dreamland haze and said that not a
bone was broken. l recall giving him
a foolish smile and thanking him
politely.
Some 20 feet away ! was conscious
that Hawkins was chattering volubly
to crowd of eager faces. His own
features we're bruised almost beyond
recognition, but he. too, was evident
ly on this side of the River Jordan,
and felt a faint sense of irritation
that the Auto-aero-mobile hadn't
made an end Of him.
My wits must have remained some
time aloft for last inspection Of the
spot where ended our aerial flight.
Certainly they did not wholly return
until | found myself sitting beside
Hawkins in Brotherton's carriage.
We we're just driving past pile OF
red scrap-metal that had Qnce been
the auto, and the wond ,dng crowd
was parting to let us through.
We'll. that's the end of your aero
thingamajig. Hawkins" observed.
with deep satisfaction.
'Oh. yes, experience is expensive,
but a great teacher" replied the in
ventor, thickly, removing a wet cloth
from his much lacerated upper lip to
permit speech. when | build the
next one"
you'll have to get divorce be-
fore you build the next one" | added,
with still deeper satisfaction. as
pictured in imagination the lively lit
tie domestic fracas that awaited
Hawkins.
If his excellent lady gets wind OF
the ioings in his workshop" Haw-
kins rarely invents the same thing
twice.
well, then. If l build another, :"
corrected Hawkins. SOLDERING sudden
ly, Il shall Re careful not to use that
rear arrangement at all. shall place
the valve of the balloon where | can
get at it more easily. shall"
"Mr Hawkins" said Brotherton.
abruptly, Il thought l asked you to
keep that cloth over your mouth until
get you where | can sew up that
lip"
Apart from any medical bearing,
it struck me that that remark indi-
Gated good, sound sense on Brother
tons part.
Copyright, 1906. by W. G. Chapman.) }