The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-28
THE ASTONISHING FLIGHT OF
THE GUMP.


Many were the doubtful looks cast
upon the heap of miscellaneous ma
terial that now cluttered the roof. and
finally the Scarecrow shook his head
and remarked:
well, If friend Nick can manufac-
ture, from this mess of rubbish, a
Thing that will fly thru the air and
carry US to safety, then 1 will ac-
knowledge him to be better nechan-
ic than 1 suspected"
But the Tin Woodman seemed at
first by no means sure of his powers,
and only after polishing his forehead
vigorously with the chamois-leather
did he resolve to undertake the task.
The first thing required for the
machine" said he, lis a big enough
body to carry the entire party. This
sofa is the biggest thing we have and
might be used for a body. But, should
the machine ever tip sideways, we
would all slide off and fall into the
ground"
why not use two sofas?" asked
Tip. There's another one just like
this down stairs"
That is a very sensible suggestion"
exclaimed the Tin Woodman. You
must fetch the other sofa at once"
So Tip and the Saw-Horse man
dSSu, With IIluCH 10 get the sec
ond sofa to the roof; and when the
two were placed together, edge to
edge, the backs and ends formed q
protecting rampant all around the
seats.
Excellent" cried the scarecrow.
1--WE can ride within this snug nest
quite at our ease"
The two sofas were now bound
| firmly together with ropes and clothes
| lines. and then Nick Chopper fastened
| the Gump's head to one end.
That will show which is the front
end of the Thing" said he, greatly
! pleased with the idea. And really.
if you examine it critically, the Gump
| looks very well as a figurehead. These
great palm leaves, for which I have
| endangered my life seven times, must
serve us as wings"
Are they strong enough" asked
| the boy.
They are as strong as anything we
can get" answered the Woodman
and altho they are not in proportion
to the Things body, we are not in a
position to be very particular"
So he fastened the palm leaves to
the sofas. two on each side.
Said the Woggle-Bug, with consid-
cradle admiration:
The Thing is now complete. and
only needs to be brought to life"
stop a momenti" exclaimed Jack
| Are you not going to use my broom %
| What for?" asked the Scarecrow.
why. it can be fastened to the
| back end for a TAIL" answered the
Pumpkinhead. Surely you would not
call the Thing complete without a
| tall
| HIM" said the Tin Woodman; 81
| do not see the use of a tail. We are
not trying to copy a beast, or a fish, OF
a bird. All we ask of the Thing is tc
carry us thru the air.
Perhaps. after the Thing is brought
to life, it can use a tail to steer with
suggested the Scarecrow. For if ii
flies thru the air it will not be unlike
a bird. and I've noticed that all bird:
have tails, which they use for rud
der while flying"
Very WELL" answered Nick, 9Th,
he fastened it firmly to the back enc
of the sofa body. Tip took the pep
perbox from his pocket
The Thing looks very big" said he
anxiously; land 1 am not sure tina
there is enough powder left to brin;
all of it to life. But III make it go a.
far as possible"
Put most on the wings" said Mel
Chopper; for they must be made a
strong as possible"
I And don't forget the head" ex
claimed the Woggle-Bug.
.'Or the TAIL" added Jack Pump
kinhead.
DO be quiet" said Tip nervously
"you must give me a chance to worl
the magic charm in the proper man
ner"
Very carefully he began sprinklin
|