The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-08-02
TAKING AIR IN
 HIS FIRST FLIGHT Hedging Birdman T el s
 How It Feels to Fly In France
SPLENDID ISOLATION
 IS FELT WHEN ALOFT
Flash of Memory of Certain
 Girl As He Trims Ga. Wings.

HIS IdIHlly, says Ine NeW 1OFh AAHAeS' June 1, 191S-Tne day dawned- we'll, to be frank. I don't know just How it dawned-but when I awoke in the smothery softness of a deep French bed at o'clock and trotted Barefoot, across the well-waxed floor to the window, the air was fresh and sweet from the washing shower of the night before, and the sunshine in the courtyard of the inn was as bright as the brass helmet of a cuirassie:. There was light breeze laden with the perfumes of powdered hedges. gardens of lilacs and lavender, fes- toons of wistaria. It was not a lie abed morning. It was full of the feeling of "up and at 'em." and only the hard work and play of the long day behind us had enabled us to sleep until 8,
 l went to consult the bulletin board to see if I had guard duty for the morrow. Instead I found I had flying for this blessed day so long and so eagerly awaited. I was on the Flying List. After six months on the Waiting List, I had attained 2
 
 pectancy. I was delightfully."- sur prised to be about to be flying. l began my preparations in a hur- ried and distracted manner I must dig up half-forgotten flying apparatus from the bottom of my trunk. laid out my "tPousseau" as if for a we'd ding or a festival. I began at the bottom and took a bath. The occa- sion. I thought, was worth dressing up for, so I put on my best of every thing and topped off with shiny black flying coat, which would make any one look like an "eyeviator" as the English say. The coat and q topping pair of gauntlets which dc not need this weather, and a cush. toned helmet, were issued me by the dear old government.
 Disguised behind all these trap. pings-I neglected to mention my frog-eye goggles - 1t would be i'm possible even for you, my dear moth. CT, to recognize me. I had Jus backed into all these spangles wher the siren sounded. Flying temper arily discontinued" and for the res of the afternoon I had to nurse my impatience as best I could. Thel at last in the cool of the afternoon when there Is a sort of restful still ness in the air, the siren sounded Ready fin twenty minutes'
 made another entirely superflu. ous inventory of things and thoughts and then went out and fell in line with my fellows, It was "Coun off'' and then "Right by squads march," and we marched out on tn, field where the red flag was stuck il the ground. The boss of the fielt Is a veritable Napoleon in more thai stature. He is, I believe, one O our pioneer f1iers having had tn honor and glory of being one of tha diminishing company of the Lafay cite Escadrille. Furthermore he i not to be trified with. One younj fellow was caught holding on to tn end of the red flag, and he receive, a rebuke that left him as red as tht flag.
 There was a sputter and a stead futter as each engine was started and then a roar of many motors bein tuned up in front of the hangars an the good, heavy smell of cooking cas tor oil and the pungent odor of burn ing gasoline and a blue haze of smok iaround the machines as they cam staxi-ing out on the field-and sud denly my name being shouted. was to be first up"
 "X"' l came trotting over to tn machine indicated, struggled int my knit helmet, and climbed in Tn floor was slimy with leaking oil Tn sergeant was showing me how to vor' the clasp of the patent safety belt. mechanic was in the seat in front ( me adjusting something on the dasl I was still seating myself into tn narrow little seat when I heard tn sergeant say. 'Jieutenant, this is X the new man in your group.''
 I had not seen him come up, I wa so occupied with my preparation The lieutenant, my "moniteur," youth personifed. He wore a 1eatl CT sleeveless yellow vest and ful lined leather helmet. He is close { 20, but I have no idea on which sid may be mistaken, but I thought l. spoke with Boston accent.
 I'm going to take you up for little joy ride " he said; and smile in winning sort of way which COT vinced me that the reports I ha heard of his being hard guy wei false.
 Keep your hands off the stick gt ing up," he said. When we get II you can follow what do with it."
 He climbed in the front seat. not ded to the mechanic who swung tl propeller for compression.
 Contact" said the man at tr 'prop."
 Contact" the lieutenant repeate giving it just the correct French a cent The mechanic swung agai the motor coughed, wheezed, ar then laid down.
 Gas" called the man on Il ground.
 Essence" said the lieutenan and flooded the carburetor. Agai "Contact'-"Contact This time u motor picked up with a rush and the rose to roar as he speeded up listen to its tone.
 The sound was not unfamiliar, f I had been around and among m tors long enough for that. It w the tremendous rush of the wind ( me that was new. The pressure W terrific and threatened to bend r over backwards. l had to lean fo ward with all my force.
 Imagine the greatest wind stor you ever experienced and multip U by ten and you have my sensatio while he turned up the mote Tha wheels of tba n1ape ware bIooly