Bridgeton pioneer., 1917-08-30
His Thirteenth
Birdman Dropped
By ALAN HINSDALE


Ireland found it necessary to emil
crate. Johns grandfather came to
America, married an American wo-
man, and a daughter of his married
William Ellison, an Englishman.
Johnny was sent over to England
to be educated and came back very
enthusiastic over the English people.
The consequence was that when the
great worlds war broke out he went
over to fight under the imperial Brit
ish flag.
The only person toward whom John
felt a real enmity was Elmer Treat,
whose grandfather came from Ger
many. The two as youngsters had been
chuns; but, as luck would have it,
they split on a girl, and, though nei-
ther felt sure he had gained the advan-
tage over the other, the rivalry sepa-
rated them. Whether or not it broke
their friendship this story will tell.
Johnny thought he could serve the
fatherland of his ancestors-he consid-
cred himself an American, and an
aUueIlCdl lLc COlpS. I1c
therefore went to London and after a
course of instruction that fitted him to
make a bird of himself was sent to
the front for active duty. At first he
was sent up into the air to locate the
enemy's guns and signal their posi-
ton, but after a year at that kind of
service he was made member of the
fighting corps.
When Johnny left America for the
war he did so partly because he had
been refused by Alice Weatherby.
This was the girl that he and Elmer
Treat had split upon. Whether Treat
had won where he had failed he did
not know, but he felt very bitter to-
ward his former friend, because he
presumed that Treat had taken unfair
advantage of him. But was there ever
rivalry wherein one party did not
consider that the other had used un-
fair means? 1t is the girl who throws
the apple of discord betweea them.
One day John Ellison went up to get
his thirteenth aeroplane. He had
brought down twelve and had been
duly decorated by the government.
John set out about 10 o'clock of a
spring morning. AS he rose about the
treetops he heard the birds singing be-
low him and wondered if they were
not jealous of the invasion of their ele-
ment. On reaching the height he de-
sired he started toward the enemy's
lines. Far in the distance he saw eli
ther an aeroplane or a bird, but his
practiced eye soon told him that it was
the former. Nor was it long before
the aeroplane appeared to be heading
for John.
when the two came to within mile
Of each other each seemed TO realize
that he was singled cut fer a fight.
They sircled about each other, either
for observation or for position, neither
appearing to care to eeme to quarters
close enough for a fight. John, who
was armed with long range gun, sent
a shot by way of opening the scrim-
mage, but it either fell short or went
wild. His enemy did not seem ready
for reply.
The combatants were not near enough
to distinguish each others faces, or if
they were they were too much covered
for them to do so. Presently the
stranger suddenly veered from his
course and, putting on all speed, made
straight for his enemy's machine. John
swerved, and the other passed him on
the flank, both firing at the same time.
Neither man was hurt, but the bodies
of both aeroplanes received several
bullets.
Now as they dashed past each other
Johnny got view of his enemy, much
as he might see it by flash of light
ming. There was something about it
that reminded him of his former friend
and subsequent enemy who he had be-
heved had acted unfairly with refer
enee to Alice Weatherby. Nonsense!
There We're a thousand to one chances
against his meeting Elmer Treat any
where on terra frma in Europe and
q million to one that he would not
meet him thousand feet up in the
air. Nevertheless that brief glimpse
he had got of the man in the other
machine was marvelously suggestive
Of Elmer.
But Johnny was fighting for life
and realized fully that all his faculties
should be exercised in taking the life
OF the man who was bent on killing
him. Besides, the fact that his enemy
Aeminded him of the man he believed
had injured him with the woman he
loved did not tend to extinguish in him
the madness Of war. Taking advan-
tage of a turn the other made, in
vkich he exposed himself favorably
for shot, Jehnny fired at him and
saw him instantly collapse.
"Thank heaven!" said John. I've
passed my thirteehth!'
The enemy's aeroplane began to sink
slowly in spiral John could not be
sure whether or not the man in her
had any control over her or not. Slow
ly she circled till she reached an open
space in the rear Of the British lines