Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-02-24


PHINEAS.
time that out at the aviation field, thir-
" miles distant from Fleetville, many
new flying machines were being tested
and that some interesting flights were
being made each day.
I'll GO" decided Phineas, carefully
folding the newspaper and tucking it
away. He uttered the words solemnly,
as one who decides a matter of great
Importance. Indeed. it was a matter
of considerable momers for Phiness
Berry to leave his store for an after
noon unless 1t happened TO be legal
holiday. Twenty out of his forty
years of life had been spent in the dull
routine of the store, with an occasional
holiday while his father was alive.
III go out and see those flying pa-
Chimes" announced Phineas. And,
having made this important decision,
he locked up his books, left implicit
instructions with the thunderstorm
and uncomprehending errand boy and
left the store.
once on the train his mind leaped to
the moment when he should first be
hold these latest wonders of invention.
Entering the field, he wandered among
the machines. examining their con-
struction. listening to the talk OF the
bird men. the comments of the specta-
tors and comparing with others the
merits of the different machines.
His heart almost stopped beating
when the crowd suddenly cleared
away from one machine. The aviator
took his seat, a mechanician rushed to
/ the propeller. the engine started, and
/ the propeller whirred noisily. The
machine glided rapidly over the
ground for hundred feet then mount
! ed up and up until it reached dizzy
/ height, when il sped away to the west
ward. where the city lay.
Phineas Berry watched three ma
/ chimes go through the same perform
ance of preparation and departure. and
his heart was full. The spirit of ad-
venture gripped him, and he longed to
stow away in one of them and soar
/ beyond the confines Of Bassett county.
Phineas crowded close to the last
machine as it prepared to follow the
others into the air. Some of the avi-
ators were returning and circling over
distant parts of the field, and the atten-
ton Of the crowd was diverted from
the departing machine.
Lend a hand here" called one Of the
workmen. and Phineas willingly laid
hold Of the framework at one side OF
the spiderlike thing and rolled It intG
a favorable position. Such was his
enthusiasm that he failed to hear the
shout Of warning when the engine
throbbed into action, nor did he no
tice the whrring beat Of the big pro
peller.
II was not until he felt that he wa'
being fairly raced over the rolling
ground that he realized his position
and then It was too late. for the ma
chine arose rapidly. carrying Phiness
still clutching the framework with on,
muscular hand.
Phineas gritted his teeth and swunj
his head and shoulders under tn
framework so that he might hold q
with his right hand as we'll as the left
II was no small matter to sustain hi
solid weight in that position while tn
aeroplane rushed through the air an,
the blast of wind from the whirlinl
propeller blades took his breath away
Beneath him the ground had droppet
away until fields were like checker
boards and houses mere pinheads 0
white.
His weight affected the balance 0
the machine, and IL was evident tina
the aviator was apprehensiye OF
breakdown. for suddenly the motto
changed. the machine dipped down
ward. and Phineas gasped thankfully
for his arms were rigid and blOodles
and his hands were numb.