The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1916-08-12


air craft myself"
II see," smiled Mrs. Bowser. THE
air craft man does all these things for
the fun Of it..
Moo, net exactly. One could hardly
expect thas''
",rhen what sum does he wantW
Mr. Bowser choked up. and his
Adams apple danced up and down.
and 1t was some time before his emo
tons would permit him to say
"IIe spoke of $500, but | think can
beat him down little. or course,
when we get to Mars the inhabitants
will be only too glad to put us up ut
the best hotel free OF all expense, ana
they will give us our coal and proVi-
sions for the return trip. Tell me plain
~ what you think about it.
~ will tell you little story instead.
replied Mrs. Bowser. "Three years ngof
you gave an mir craft man $500 to tah4
you up for little trip You were strap
Ned into seat and away you went
The craft had risen ten feet when you
began to yell and scream and shout
and you offered the man hundred
million dollars to descend. He accepted
the offer, and when you were unstrap-
ned and once more on the solid earth
YOU handed him so cents and started
for home. Is it to be the same thing
over ngainI"
Mr. Bowser turned as red as boiled
lobster, but for a wonder he held his
temper. When he spoke again there
was not harsh note in his voice. lie
said In coaXing way:
But you see, my dear. all the condi-
lions are different this time. On the
previous occasion l was looking for
novelty: this time I am looking for
Mars and fame and money. 1t means
everything to me. There won't be one
scream. even if we have to go hun
drcd million miles high"
Have you talked with any scientific
man about this?" asked Mrs. Bowser.
"Why, the air man Is a scientist him
self. II he says we can reach Mars
you can depend on it that we shall
land there In due time. He is coming
here this evening to talk the final ar
rangements over with me. l expect he
will ring the bell ut any moment. Then
| have your consent, my dear?'
"AIr Bowser." she said very serious
ly, .'let it be understood that If he don't
ask for any money tonight you have
my consent If he does ask yon will
give the thing up, knowing that he is n
sharper"
by George. but that is fart" was
the reply as the doorbell rang. You
stick to that old girl, and Samuel Bow
ser will be In Mars in less than fort
night and he will be relating to the In
lmbitants thereof the wonders of this
world below"
The caller that Mr. Bowscr admitted
and took to the library would have
been spotted by n detective rs n conf
dence man. but he looked to the man
who was going to Mars as an honest.
upright gentleman who wouldn't even
sas,aS1annady fEaiSup baby. Mrs. Rowser,
INC It mi 1t him and therefore
cotlnftJrm NJ 1shion. When the cou-
pie had taken sents Mr.. Bowser anx-
iously asked:
We'll, do we go?"
"Does the wife consent?" asked the
air man.
"She does with great willingness.
She wants me to win the great fame
and fortune that await me. So all Is
about ready. eh!"
Just trife. Mr.. Bowser." smiled
the man. What of the money!
You said $500. believe"
"Just $500, and that is dirt cheap
for fare to Mars"
couldn't take a hundred Off. eh!'
mot penny. Mr.. Bowser. Mr.. Vim
cent Aston would probably pay me
S1.OOO.OOO for the privilege you get
, for a paltry $500. called this even
ing to ask you to advance me 800
on account. want 1t to buy heavy
clothing with. I have ordered all wool
understands, sixteen inches thick, and
the maker wants me to pay tomorrow.
The balance of the $500 can be paid at
the First National bank in Mars. when
we get there
Mr. Bowser made no reply None was
needed. He was thinking of the agree
ment with Mrs. Bowser. The air man
didn't look SO honest and upright AS
he had looked at the door.
"Please do not detain me. MIR. Bow
SER" said the man.
II won't" was the reply. "YOu can
GO"
what do you mean!
You can go. sir, and the sooner the
better!'
"Then you have given up the trip to
Mars?'
Il have. l am going to stay right on
this earth and make it my business to
| look out for swindlers. Good night
sir"
Mr.. Bowser waited at the door for
| minute after the man had passed
out. and then put on his hat and coat
and took walk. He did not want to
| face Mrs. BOwser-not until he had
recovered from the shock. The good
woman waited and waited and when