Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-07-07
IT'S WONDERFUL
TO FLY, SHE SAYS
Society Woman Declares That
Even the Weak Hearted
Must Enjoy It.

New York. June 3o-"1t was wonderful
simply wonderful" exclaimed Mrs Louise
Benedict Harmon. wife Of Clifford ~.
Harmon, as she stepped from her hus-
bands biplane after i0-milc ride with
him over the Hampstead Plains yestcr-
day morning.
Many society women who have watched
the aeroplanes soar have expressed de-
sire 20 go up In one, but Mrs. Harmon
has the distinction of being the first
woman Of prominence to make a flight in
this country. She is the daughter OF f. G.
Benedict. banker, yachtsman and intimate
friend of the late President Cleveland
CIRCLED COURSE SIX TIMES.
cled the clear space of fat land six
times at an average height of about
co feet and then dropped gently to
earth
1T seems like n Dream she said to
Capt. Thomas +. Baldwin. who helped
her aliaht. My sensations? They were
so many | cannot recall, them all at
once she said when asked how she
felt in the air. 81 have often heard the
expression at home in the Clouds but
never before realized one could he at
home there.
81 had the same feeling at first that 7
understand all aeronauts have. that of
the earth going down instead of one
going up.
II could picture the security Of birds
lowering over the EARTH causing envious
man to think and scheme to do likewise
II is no wonder that those who have
tasted the Elusive joy long for it con-
stanUy. Its visions moved on before me
cheering me and instilling in me a desire
to keep on and on.
80 DREAD is FELT IN AIR.
Even the weak hearted must enjoy it,"
she said enthusiastically. Dread Ia I'M
known there in the air. You are not a
prisoner in machine; YOU overcome ma
ture, If you are blest with an opportu-
nifty to take voyage into that new land
my advice Is TO grasp II. Everything Is
beautiful there. There is no confusion.
The wind sings for you as if Offering to
lull YOU to sleep. But you can't sleep: it,
all too interesting. The captain of your
floating ship spurs it on and then causes
/, TO gently put you back on earth. You
the engine stops and you know old eartn
has come to greet you. Then as you step
out of the basket YOU carefully lock your
experience IN a treasure chamber in your
heart.
Mrs. Harmon wore one of her husband s
leather coats. Il skirt described as suit
able for the purpose" and a leather cap.
from under which her eyes fairly snapped
with delight. Her cheeks were flushed
and her whole attitude was one Of excited
pleasure.
ALL OTHER SPORTS ARE TAME.
This sensation OF flying makes all
other sports seem tame indeed. she add
ed. Il have ridden in fast automobiles
and | have driven and ridden fast horses
| know what 1t is to clear wicked fence
on n thoroughbred hunter, and have
guided four-in-hands but none of them
compare In the slightest with the exhil-
aration and the pleasurable excitement OF
flying through the air.
once I made an ascent in a spherlca
balloon from Pittstield with Captain Bald
win. But that was not to he compared
with ride in heavier-than-air machine
~ will confess that ! was hit timiG
az | stepped into the biplanc, but Mr.
| Harmon had given me such enthusiastic
| descriptions of his flights that was de
| tcrmined to make one. I will also con
fess that when we slid off N, groun'
| just had to take long breath But
| lost all timidity in a moment
| Mrs. Harmon said she would have a bi
pane built and make flights alone. Mr.
| Hatmon said he wouldn't object, bu
| wanted her to be sure she could NEE
every emergency before attempting I
| ipk