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

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ing nlacidly in the sunset glow, when
HawAins aroused himself from a mo-
mentary reverie and remarked.
Nov. If the body we're made Of
aluminium it would be far lighter and
just as strong. wouldn't it?"
Probably, Hawkins replied. but
II would also be decidedly stiff and in
convenient Just imagine how ones
aluminium knees would erackle and
bend going up and downstairs, and
what an awful job one would have
conforming ones aluminium spinal col
umn to the back OF a chair"
mo. no. no. no." cried Hawkins. i'm
patiently. Il don't mean the human
body. Griggs: -"
I'm glad to near IT," | said. Don't
you go to inventing an aluminium man.
Hawkins. Good. old-fashioned flesh
and bones have been giving thorough
atisfaction for the past few thousand
years, and II would be wiser for you
70 turn your peculiar talents toward"
"Therel there That will dol"
snapped the inventor. standing stiftiy
erect and throwing away his cigar.
This is not the first time that that
mistaken numor Of yours has pre-
vented your absorbing new ideas.
Griggs. incidentally. | may mention
that was referring to the body Of an
automobile. Good EVENING""
Whereupon Hawkins stalked up the
road In the direction OF his summer
home. and wondered for a minute If
his words might not be prophetic Of
future trouble.
Now, where an aspersion is cast
upon his inventive genius, Hawkins is
quick TO anger. but usually he is equal
ly ready 10 forgive and forget. Hence
Il astonished me that TWO whole weeks
passed without the appearance OF his
genial countenance on my premises.
They we're really two weeks OF peace
unbroken, but had begun to think
that II might be better for me TO stroll
over and beg pardon for my levity
when one bright morning Hawkins
came cnug-chugging up the drive in a
huge, new, red automobile.
II was Of the type so constructed
that the two rear seats of the car
may be dropped OF at will. convert
ing IL into a carriage for two, and the
only peculiar detail | noted was the
odd-looking top OF canopy.
well. what do you think OF herr"
demanded Hawkins with some pride.
shes all right" said. admiringly.
"Bodys built OF aluminium" con
tinued the inventor. Jump in and
feel the action OF her"
AS have said. barring the canopy,
the thing appeared to be an ordinary
touring-car. and ] was tired Of lolling
IN the hammock. Without misgiying,
! climbed in beside Hawkins. and he
turned back TO the road.
The auto did run beautifully. had
never been IN a machine that was so
totally Indifferent TO rough spots.
When we came to a hiilock. we
simply foated over IT, II we reached
an uncomfortably sharp turn. the auto
seemed TO rise and cut IL OF with
hardly a swerve.
once or twice | noticed that Haw-
klns deliberately steered out Of the
road and into big rocks; but the auto
In the most peculiar manner. just
touched them and bounced over with
never a jar.
In fact, after two miles Of rather
heavy going, suddenly realized tnat
hadn't experienced the slightest OF
jolts.
Hawkins" observed, "the man
that made the springs under this thing
must have been a magician"
well. WELT" said the inventor. "0n
90 Il at last that there is something
out OF the ordinary about this auto,
are you? But it's not the springs, my
dear boy, it's not the springsl"
what is it7"
~Griggs," said Hawkins. beaming
upon me, you are riding in the first
and only Hawkins Auto-aero-mobilei
That's what II Isl"
Another inventioni" gt ped.
"Yes. another invention. What the
deuce are you turning pale about?"
well, your inventions. Hawkins"
Don't be such a coward. Griggs.
Except that I had the body built Of
aluminium. this is just an ordinary
automobile. The invention lies in the
canopy. It's a balloonl"
-Yes, sir. Just at present it's bal
loon with not quite enough gas In It
20 counterbalance the pull Of gravita-
tion on the car and ourselves. I've got
two cylinders Of compressed gas still
connected with II. When let them
feed automatically into the balloon.
and then automatically drop the iron
cylinders themselves In to the road.
we shall fairly bound over the ground.
because the balloon will just trife
more than carry the whole outfit"
well, don't waste all that good gas.
Hawkins" I said hastily. Il can-I
can understand perfectly just how we
should bound without that.
Don't worry about the gas" smiled
Hawkins placidly. 1T costs practical
Iy nothing. Therel One Of the cylin-
ders is discharging now"
glanced timidly above. Sure
enough, the canopy was expanding
slowly and assuminga spherical shape.
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