Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1916-10-05
The Chase Of
An Aeroplane
And What Resulted
Therefrom.
By AGNES G. BROGAN

When the house that had been build
ing opposite where Madge Carlton
lived was finished, the refuse removed
and the grounds had been leveled and
sodded Madge looked upon the place
with envy. The house was as dainty
i as q Swiss cottage. On the grounds
here and there were little clumps Of
evergreens, while the whole was sur
rounded by hedge.
"I'll bet that house." said Madge to
herself, was built by an artistic archi-
tect and the grounds were laid out by
landscape gardener"
\ Madge had taste for pretty places,
and the burden Of her desires was to
be mistress Of one. The house oppo-
+ site suited her exactly.
The next passion to covetousness
that took possession of Madge Carlton
\ was curiosity. Who would occupy it
when finished? Would it be an old
. woman living alone, with no one to
= comfort her? Would it be middle
aged couple with many small childre42
! Would there be an unmarried man in
the family, and would he be-nice?
That was the womanly way of ex-
Apressing it. 1t was not: Would he be
heroic? Would he be manly? Would
he be honorable? No; 1t was not any
sof these alone, but all in one, and that
one was expressed in the word nice.
She hoped there would be a single
man n the pew house, that he would
Be nice and Oh these hopes rested a
third. We shall see whether or not
this thlra hope Vas ggs gratiaed: .~sa~
One morning lafgas posters decorated
the town where Madge lived announc-
Ing that an exhibition would be given
rby an aeronaut. Every member of
her family except Madge was on tiptoe
>of excitement to see the performance.
On the morning Of its occurrence she
was sitting on the porch She was
looking It the new house opposite
(Which was now occupied. From it she
turned her gaze upon the throng who
passed continuously on their way to
the city pleasure grounds, where the
famous bird man was due to arrive in
khis wonderful aeroplane, and to give
there his exhibition. Her own family
had gone long ago, and Madge had
shaken her head in decided refusal at
Aher brothers invitation to join them.
mo, thank you,' she answered. 81
wouldn't walk as far as the corner on
a hot day like this to see all the aero
Aplanes In the world. This cool veranda
suits me much better"
She rocked back and forth now, en-
joying the light breeze which softly
efapped the awnings, her little bare
arms clasped high above her head. The
last football died away, and the shady
avenue was unusually silent, when
spresently there came from out the sky
loud humming noise as of giant
bee. Nearer it drew-still nearer,
echoing and resounding in the stiffness,
until at length, pellmell from verandas
{ and doorways, people ran focking into
the street:
ut is coming" they called to each
other; ut is coming; it is here"
b. Madge leaned forward excitedly.
High across the cloudless blue, with
great outstretched wings like some
monstrous bird, there rushed dark
OOJCSI~ OAn0lu A. NCAls olAdlSAl do
/. an arrow, never swerving from its
course, never ceasing in its mad fight
until screening trees hid it from view
Of the watchers.
Wildly the crowd gave chase, hoping
4 to get another glimpse in the next
clearing of this wondrous, whirring
thing.
Without an instant's hesitation
Madge who had scorned her brothers
enthusiasm, now breathlessly followed
the crowd. Over the lawn and down
the street twinkled the heels of her
, little white shoes. She fell at the curb
and when kindly hand assisted her
to rise hurried on again without a civil
thank you" With fine disregard she
tripped lightly across the road before
the very lamps Of racing automobile
'There it is!'' said triumphant
voice.
"Where?" she cried.
"Above the tallest tree" the voice
answered.
II cannot see it," Madge said impa
tiently.
A hand reached over her shoulder
pointing upward.
"If you will look exactly where tel
you," the owner of the hand suggested
you will see it,"
II do now" she replied. at is grow
Ing smaller. 1t must be very high up
"About ], 300 feet" the voice answer
- ed exultantly.
Madge gave little cry Of disap
pointment.
ooh, it is gonev' she said. "Can'
\ we see it farther on?'
The man looked around quickly.
This way! he called and ral
swiftly up wide, graveled path. Sh
started bravely in pursuit. then stoo
still
II cannot go another STEP" she an