The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1911-09-21
YOUNG WELDON |
AVIATOR
BY VIRGINIA DUPUY H0LTON

1t was the big day at the state fair.
All of the countryside had gathered
in the chief city of the state to see
the much advertised and novel attrac-
tion--an aeroplane fight.
The booths, displaying their prodig-
lous vegetables and fruits, fancy work
and what not, were deserted by the
crowd, which gathered about the rope
surrounding the monster Sf wire and
canvas, with its great white wings
spread at rest upon the grass. Even
the thoroughbred horses and the fine
cattle could not hold their many ad-
mirers when in competition with the
newest and most daring form of sport.
Good fortune smiled upon the young
aviator, Marshall Weldon, whose in
trepid spirit had delighted itself in the
mastery of flying, and had given him
an ideally clear and calm day for his
exhibition fight.
At the appointed hour, Young We'll
don, as he was called in the magazines
and newspapers, stepped inside of the
ropes amid the cheers of the crowd.
Tall and athletically built, he moved
with graceful feetness in his adjust
ments about his machine.
While DOMINIC his driving cap and
coat. he glanced toward the crowd, and
looked straight into pair of eyes
which seemed to charm him on the
instant. Their glance met for mo-
nent in tangled depth when flush
quickly overspread the girls face. The
young mans emotion caused sud
den quickening of his pulse as he took
his seat preparatory to starting.
The motor whirred and the great
white wings fluttered as the bip!ane
skinned the grass and rose. We'll
don's last glance was toward the girl
! whose eyes now shone from excite
ment. Her handkerchief alone stood
out from the sea of fluttering specks
And he carried the vision OF the radi-
ant smile she gave him as he rose,
higher and higher with the grace of
a bird
Lura Phillips stood as II in spell
Ing. Her true feelings, however. were
Of disappointment that she would not
again see the wonderfully good-looking
young man who had suddenly awak-
sned something within her that she
had not hitherto known existed.
How different were the country
swains she knew! How eloquent and
yet respectful enough not to cause Of
tense to aay girl, had been his gaze
bent upon her that one long moment!
Her reverie was interrupted by her
fathers touch upon her arm. 1t was
necessary for them to leave the fair
grounds Immediately, In order to
reach home before nightfall, for they
lived forty miles distant In the village
IF Airdale.
John Phillips had carried the major
portion of the prize money from the
| state fair tor many years. His match
less specimens OF tomatoes, pumpkins
and potatoes had spurred the growers
| oil about to arduous endedvor in COM
petition. Naturally his rugged type
had little use for wind wagons" as
ne called all forms of flying machines.
"A mans q fool to risk his life that
way" he had said when Lura urged
| him to wait for the ascension.
but. father" argued his daughter,
they are useful, and 1t is heroic to
help perfect the science in face of
such danger"
We'll, wen stay long enough to
watch him shoot OF, then. It's really
not much of trick to go up--the
tricks how to come down again." he
| ,huckled