Sharp County record., 1910-01-07
THE ERA OF
THE AERO
Copyright, by w. G. Chapman.)
By WILL BRADSHAW


your aeroplane yet? Are you aware
of the fact that Wilbur and Orville
mote the familiarity are among us
again? Do you know that just as soon
as possible after they have rested up
from their European sojourn we will
be permitted to stand in line and file
orders for future deliveries in 1909
models of aerial conveyances?
Wilbur Wright and his brother Or.
vile are Great young men, no mistake.
Our country can well be proud Of them
They have taken an idea, probably as
old as the human race, developed It
to certain point, and by careful man.
ipulation, elevated themselves until
king and peasant look up with un.
stinted admiration.
1t was lucky day fer the Wright
boys the day they hit upon this
method Of rising in the esteem of their
fellow men. They have risen higher
than anyone ever expected; and II
at any time they should drop suddenly
1t would be very sad and unexpected.
But they had better be very careful!
The game of rising UP into the clear
blue sky is beset with difficulties OF
! the most perilous order; difficulties
that are likely to upset the hes: laid
plans of these brave Ohio youths.
It was only the other day, while
reading some ancient literature on the
subject the Wrights and thousands OF
others are most interested in at this
time, happened upon an account OF
the first recorded attempt to navigate
in true bird fashion that great void
above us.
The old document told graphically
Of the longing of plous friar to rise
in the world and soar above his fel.
lows. 1t told Of the long years he
spent in nerve-racking research for an
apparatus that could be attached to his
person and with which he could attain
the heights his ambition led him to. 1t
told how the credulous populace gath
cred on the morning of the trial to see
the good man make his getaway from
the top of the town-hall The rest of
the account dwelt on the virtues of the
deceased and the plans for great
public funeral to be held the next day,
This occurred in the year S45 A. d.
We can, and have done, as much as
this In our time.
How another attempt was made to
solve the problem some time later is
related Ia another part Of the vol.
ume. II tells Of an ingenious farmer
who lived on the outskirts of Nice.
His land being situated in very
swampy section, and having wife
who was fond OF travel, he longed for
some means whereby he could secure
pleasure for himself and a change OF
atmosphere for the rest Of the family.
While watching the family canary fit
about In its cage. one day he suddenly
turned pale and loft for the wood shed
ut the rear OF the house.
In spite OF tho neighbors' gossip
about moonshining and counterfelting
and other nefarious schemes, he hid
from view for period and when he
emerged, placed before the astonshed
villagers huge object that to all ap
pcarances was q cross between grass
hopper and Il canary In wood and Iron
The family were to leave for q spin
before breakfast the following morn
ing from the top Of the barn, The
pago at this point was very much
thumbed, but finally made out that
the farmers brother come up from
Bordeaux and claimed the estate,
Since that eventful morning when
the friar made his last bow to the as
sembled multitudes, though the cen
turtles, and up to the present day. the
population Of the globe has been ma
| terially lessened by the airship fans
This may appear as very dlsoouragng
to the party contemplating touring
acroplonc that will seat Ave, or II
| simple little Nffalr built for ono and
with accommodation tor another, but
Il IL not the intention of the writer
to knowingly discourage or hurt the
feelings OF any one. The man who
succeeds IN constructing pair Of Zip
pors that viii lift him off the Garth
and keep him on M long M he Wishes
to remain IL deserving OF all the honor
Il Ia In our power to bestow
Have you ever given thought to
all tho misery the successful invention
OF tho nirship will brng7 Ever
thought how many lives will come to
an abrupt end when the earburetor
refrains from giving the right mix
ture, or the port llppor rips at n seam,
or u weary aviator pulls tho cord that
calls for back somorsNult and re-
vorae2'
Think ef all the trivial accidents
that viii happen with tho advent OF
the aero, Think Of the safety OF the
walking population whom Nirshlps are
M numerous m tho lunches OF mo-
eQultoea We sec lowering over n Ger
tain spot and playing what Ia, eeeming
ly, the game OF tag" And then, TAX