New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-27
Thinks Weather UnfavOrabIe tor
Flying from Governors ISL
and to SheepShead.
|, STEVENS CUP IN THE AIR"
Balloonist- Manager Has Check
for Aviator, but Asks: What
Can Say to Lissberger?"
in Turning It Back.


at 10 A. m. instead Of flying to the race
track. as scheduled.
Stevens goes for altitude at a more alb
rupt angle stays mp longer and comes
down less refreshed these days than At
wood perhaps ever dreamed of doing
The flight from ST Louis to New York
has been nerve racking to Leo.
stevens is accustomed 10 ballooning all
over tho shop either alone or with one or
more passengers who have deposited GER
tilted checks with him before the get-a-
way. So ne is familiar with the look OF
the scenery from serene heights, and has
a fine reputation for keeping his head on
his shoulders A all times.
4 farmer in Ohio shot at him once be-
cause Stevens's balloon was casting a
shadow on the farmers potatoes at the
time Those who were in the basket
with the aeronaut say that stevens did
not even duck. but kept his right hand
on the rip cord, ready for the worst.
But Just say aeroplane. or Atwood, or
Sheepshead Bav racetrack To Stevens
now and he loses his balance.
He tries 10 talk ms rapidly as his feel
ings prompt. This is impossible. He has
lost lot Of sleep on the ST. Louis-New
York flight and is physically below par.
Ills capacity for suffering has been
deepened but his powers of speech have.
he says fallen off to ptiful degree.
stevens's Language Clear.
And vet he IS not conversationally so
Disappointing. either. Yesterday he pre-
ferred mental expression TO food. Even
if he was unable TO put all the desired
fringe around the word pictures he drew
Of AtWood's contempt for the feelings of
his manager and for the peace Of mind
Of true and businesslike promoter.
Stevens made himself clear as crystal on
all the main issues.
When young fellow. only twenty
seven years old, not long out Of college
and only two months out of the hands
of his aeronautcal professor a Dayton
Gays at midnight. at Churchll4 that he
will accept $4,000 for a fight from Gov
ernOr's Island to tho Sheepshead Bay
racetrack on a Saturday afternoon at
3 o'clock, and then that bumptuous. irri
tatingly healthy graduate takes to the
Grand Central Station on a Saturday
morning. at 10 o'clock. and parlor cars
10 Boston without leaving behind him
one fond message for his confding man
ager-Stevens pulls his hair here, and
Il is necessary also for him to take a
breath. SO the rest must follow after
Truly 20 sympathize with Stevens it
is necessary TO remember that he has
tried for weeks to arrange for Atwood's
appearance on schedule time at various
towns and villages between st. Louis
and New York. where patriotic boards
Of trade stood ready To supply the cash
for the best quality of gasolene and
possible repairs to Atwood's motor and
transmission gear
After the boards of trade had pro-
ducod Stevens most difficult undertake
ing was yet to be performed, he saws
because If Atwood did not like the looks
Of the town. as it was indicated on the
map. ne would iocularly choose another
where no money had been raised.
TemperamentaI PeouIiarties.
These peculiarities Of temperament
gave Stevens insomnia When he got
TO New York on Friday he said he had
had only fifteen hours sleep in twenty
one days. But he kept right after his
prize aviator and as soon as Stevens
reached town he went to the Hotel Man
haitian To wait for Harry. He went there
because Atwood had told Stevens that
he would meet him at that place.
Stevens arrived at the Manhattan at
3 p. m. on Friday and tipped a bellboy
to ask him every now and then if he
was awake. so that when Atwood came
into the lobby Stevens would be certain
to catch him and arrange TO make some
money.
Four hours later the manager found
Atwood at the Northumberland him
for five minutes and then Atwood took
q bath. The next time Stevens could
find the aviator was in Churchill's after
the show. at 1870 y. m.
In the mean time Stevens was talking
with l.. Walter Lissberger. of No. 1,TSO
Broadway, who wanted to make some
money, too, and offered, it was said
5000 If Atwood would fly from Gov
errors Island to the Sheepshead Bay
racetrack at 3 o'clock yesterday after
noon.
Il put the proposition to Atwood at
| 80 p. m. on Friday" said Stevens last
night" and he said he would positively
| fly as stated; so / signed contract with
Nh Lissborger and Nj. Lissberger de-
! posted a certified check for 81 600 which
/ Atwood was TO receive upon his arrival
over the racctrack fence. II Atwood
should fall into the water on his way to
I the track then he was to receive 5000.
/ He will never get such = magnificent
offer again. But what does inc do? lie
caves town by train ana left me to
meet Lissbcrser. I've met him, ana,
/ believe me, II was cmbarra ssing. I'm
/ the blue-eyed child with the golden LOCKS
| I'm this deal. all right
Why Shouldn't l,ssbereer?
! What can J say go l.issbcrger?
There's my name - the contract, prom
] H. A 80. Il 49,