Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-09-30

to point forward on the chassis.
saw that. and I realized that his
greater speed would enable him TO
have me at a disadvantage. rose,
We both rose, and now it was clear
that my only chance Of overcoming
him was to get above him. The mon.
oplane would climb faster. Would il
climb higher? That had never been
tested.
rose until the earth curved under
meath like the round Of a ball. AS
assembled the Taube seemed to drop
away from me. Soon it was like a
little speck far below. / began 70
circle, waiting the chance to drop a
bomb. I meant to make sure OF my
aim this time. Ny purpose was for
gotten. My antagonist had ceased TO
have personality for me; he was sim
ply an enemy aviator whom it was
my duty to kill. l watched him
through my binoculars as he grew
larger He was almost Immediately
beneath me. I would let the bomb
fall when there was no longer danger
Of missing him.
Suddenly, to my dismay, the deadly
rattle of the machine gun began
again. I had not suspected that 1t
was capable Of being fired vertically
upward. The bullets Kissed around
me like angry bees. One dashed my
face. One tore my tunic. a MON ant,
and I was swooping downward
had him at the disadvantage, but not
on the direct line the bomb must
traverse. I dived like a hawk. l shot
past him with terrific velocity, and
at the same time opened fire with my
automatic again. I swooped back on
my ellipse, loading as l few. But a
squirt of fire from the Taube showed
me that I had pierced his tank.
The fire Ieaped upward in a dozen
tongues. In a moment the biplane
was fercely burning. Against the
glare of the flames the head and
crouching body of the German were
silhouetted like a fend's. l saw him
touch his rudder, and the biplane
swooped toward earth. AS it fell 1t
blazed up more fiercely. The entire
hinder part was now a glowing Gin
der. Each moment 1 expected to
see the Taube buckle and go swoop-
ing earthward, to fall, an incinerated
mass, beneath.
He had a wonderful head, that Ger
man. In spite of the hell Of flames
that surrounded him and ragged above
him, he dived like a bird, alighting
with only the forepart of the mackine,
as gently as a bird alights, and
sprang gracefully to the ground.
There he awaited me with his lists
clenched.
You see, he was armed only wish a
Maxim, for he had never anticipated
this calamity, and he could not re-
move his gun from the burning wreck
age at his side.
But he held up his hands reluctant
ly when l covered him with my pis-
toll.
Monsieur, there is no man in any
army to whom l would sooner sur
render than you," he said.
l marched him toward our distant
trenches. We had alighted in bar
rem region between the lines. but
nearer our own forces.
Courage, comrade," said to him.
81 have sought to make you prison
er for the sake of one who awaits
you"
"Eh?" he inquired, looking at me
with sharp scrutiny.
For the sake of your love, mon
sieur," l said.
Would you believe it? The girl
had watched the entire combat from
the half-ruined farmhouse in which
she lived. And at this precise mo-
ment l saw her coming toward us
across the flats. 1t was impossible to
mistake the gait of youth, the light
ness and joy that seemed to animate
her.
She saw US and broke into run.
In a few moments she was at our
side.
Embrace each other, then, my chill
dren," I said softly. Monsieur lie
lieutenant, 1 trust you implicitly.
am we'll aware that you will not
abuse my confidence"
The girl chung to him, but to my
dismay there was no love on her face
only fury.
Now will you pay me for that pair
of chickens you stOle!" she screamed
at him, shaking him.
But what does this mean?" l de-
manded angrily.
He took two chickens from my
yard three weeks ago and promised
to come back and pay for them!
cried the girl, veritable virago.
1 flung her piece of silver. There
take that" | said disgustedly.
How the deuce could come back
when the Frenchmen were in posses
sion?" grumbled the lieutenant, look,
ing at the girl, nevertheless with
something of admiration.
ITS all one to me- she answered
What I have, 1 pay for. What any
one has from me, he pays for, too.
The prisoner and l went on in 81
Ience. Presently he turned to me
with a smile.
What wife she would make!" he
murmured. 81 shall certainly remem-
Der this place after the war. One
does not often find hausfrau of such
economical virtues"