The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-07-20
His Thirteenth
Birdman Dropped
BY ALAN HlNSDALE

John Ellison was of the third gen.
Grafton of an Irish revolutionist who
after the suppression. of the revolt in
Itdland found it necessary to emf
grate. Johns grandfather came to
America, married an American wo-
man, and 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
lsh flag.
The only person toward whom John
felt real cnmity was Elmer Treat,
whose grandfather came from Ger
many. The two as Youngsters had been
cllums; but, as luck would have it,
they split on n girl, and, though nei-
thcr 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 anccstors-he consid-
cred himself an American, and an
American only-in the flying corps. He
therefore went to London and after
coursNtM instruction that fitted him to
make n bird of himself was sent to
the front for active duty. At first he
was sent up into the air to locate the
-, t,.t,
ton, bVA after a year at that kind Of
service'he was made a member of the
fighting corps.
When johnny left America for the
war he did so partly because he had
been refused by Alice Wcatherby.
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 lie
presumed that Treat had taken unfair
advantage of him. But was there ever
consider that the other had used un-
fair means? 1t is the girl who throws
the apple of discord between them.
One day John Ellison went up to get
his thirteenth acroplane. He had
brought down twelve and had been
duly decorated by the government.
John set out about 10 o'clock of
spring morning. AS he rose about the
trcetops he heard the birds singing be-
low him and wondered if they were
not jealous of the invasion of their ele-
mcnt, On reaching the height he de-
sired he started toward the enemy's
lines. Far III the distance lie saw Ell
ther an acroplane or bird, but his
practiccd 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 out for a fight.
They circled about~each other, either
for observation or for position, neither
appearing to care to come to quarters
close enough for a fight. John, who
was armed with II long range gun, sent
n 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 vecred from his
course and putting on all speed, made
straight for his cnemys machine. John
sweYed and the other passed him on
the flank, both firing at the same time.
Neither man was hurt, but the bodies
of both aerOpanes received several
bullets.
Now as they dashed past each other
Johnny got view of his enemy, much
as he might see it by fash of light
ming. There was something about 1t
that reminded him of his former friend
and subsequent enemy who he had be-
licvcd had acted unfairly with refer
cnce to Alice Wcatherby. Nonsense!
There were n thousand to one chances
against his meeting Elmer Treat any
where on terra firma In Europe and
a million to one that he. would not
air. Nevertheless that brief glimpse
he had got of the man in the other
machine wns marve!ously suggestive
of Elmer.
But Johnny was lighting 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
reminded 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,
tagc of a turn the other made, In
which he exposed himself favorably
for shot, Johnny fired at him and
saw him instantly collapse.
"Thank hcavcnw said John. i've
passed my thirtcenth!'
The cnemy's acroplane began to sink
slowly in Il spiral. John could not be
sure whether or not the man In her
had any control over her or not. Slow