The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-07
BowsER SITS UP.
And He Thinks of a Better Thing Than
the Aeroplane.

That Mr.. Bowser had something on
MS mind to bother him Mrs. Bowser
saw the moment he entered the house
| the other evening, but like polite wo-
man she didn't begin asking a lot of
questions and adding to the situation.
She went ahead during the dinner hour
and chatted on a dozen different sub
jects, and after the meal was finished
she reaped her reward. No wife can
ever tell whether a husband is mentally
cussing over the arrival of another soft
corn, or is perturbed over a ten thou
sand business deal, and it is best to
give things chance to work them
selves out. When he had smoked half
a cigar and walked the length of the
sitting room a score of times he halted
before her and said:
Mrs. Bowser, has there been any
thing in my actions during the last 20
years to lead you to believe that I was
visionary MANI"
'N-no. not visionary" she slowly re-
piled. Some folks might call you err
ratic-just bit cratic
But genius is always erratic, isn't
tt"
1T have heard so. If we knew the
private life of Shakespeare we would
probably find that he bought new mich
COWS, and hogs and chickens, just as
you have. There must also have been
times when he ached to start chicken
farm or go into the business of raising
catnip for the drug stores"
Mr.. Bowser felt the hit and colored
up, but hung on to himself and pres
emily said
MY ambition may have resulted in a
few trif1ing mistakes that can pass
over. I am willing to be called erratic,
but don't wish to be known as Wis
ionary. You may possibly have read
of Wright's aeroplane, or flying ma
elmer
ssYas noseihIv,
land in your opinion what does it
amount tor"
well. it flies. 1t flies and then gets
out of order. Then it flies and gets
out of order some more"
But it solves the problem Of fly
ing"
'Oh, that was to be expected. Yes,
the aeroplaine has shown that man can
rise in the air and sail around when
conditions are just right. 1t is predict
ed that such machines will play part
in the next war, and if the wind will
only keep quiet during the next war
they may do so. A sailing ship has a
good grip on the water. and yet when
the wind is blowing sideways she drifts
off more or less. An aeroplane has no
grip whatever on the air. A side wind
must blow her far out of her course
To carry three or four passengers or
missiles of war she must be built Sc
large that no machinery could drive
her against breeze. In traversing a
distance of so miles she may meet with
dozen different air currents, all blow
ing at a different velocity and all whirl-
ing her in a different direction. AS a
fad it will have a place in history"
"Bless you, Mrs. Bowser-bless you'll
exclaimed Mr.. Bowser. as he advanced
and shook hands with her. you have
reasoned the matter out just as 1 have
and let me compliment you. You are
the smartest woman in the United
States. By John, but you have hit il
square on the head!'
Then you have come to the same
conclusions?''
Just the same, and you don't know
how encouraged 1 feel to find you agree
ing with me. If you only agree with
what have planned out, fame and for
tune are within our grasp"
''Well, what have you planned?"