The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-02-18

mas. Then it became rite subject to cele-
bration semi-annually, but for three or four
years. his periods of exhilaration became
semi-frequent. Dan laid it to the poor grade
of liquor. Since the Volstead era, he as
serted, a gentleman couldn't take a social
Snort" without danger of becoming spif-
flicated. Then came a period when the only
qualification of Dams condition was to say
he was drunken some days than he was
Others
The last half of this memorable night
before the morning after of Dams career
had been spent at a roadhouse with a Sc
lect group of friends he met for the first
time at 10 o'clock that evening. The road
house liquor had been particularly poison
Gus, of that type classified as "fightin'
booze" Dan, naturally pacl1st, had be-
come belligerent. To avoid the possibilities
of being caught in general rough house
his friends of short tenure left the resort
just before daylight, and took Dan along.
Their car had almost reached the city limits
when Dams persistent efforts to whip
whole cabful of other inebriates broke down
their patience and they threw him out on
his ear. The sun was just topping row of
suburban homes when, tramping unsteadily
toward the city, he came to flying field;
paused to contemplate and had his bril-
liant idea.
Not far from the open gate stood three
planes, each wearing a tarpausn tied over
its engine Two hard-looking young men
in leather coats and helmets were strip
ping and oiling their machines with undue
haste, considering the hour. They seemed
intent upon getting an early start, regard
less of the morning mists. Dan, assuming
what he considered dignified air of I'M
portance, approached the nearest flier and
said:
"Young man, l have important bus'nesh
in Wichita at once, get meat once.
Waneha fly me down there" sssk
"Beat it, b." was the uncivil reply, and
a moment later the airman had cracked
his throttle cranked the machine and was
warming up" Without waiting to give the
plane what careful flier would consider
sufficient exercise, he took off, sluggishly,
with the engine missing an occasional shot.
Dams efforts to get the attention of the
other man were unfruitful until that worthy
had started his engine. Then he gave the
spectator a shrill cursng. Like his associate,
he sighted the warming treatment in ia
>vor of hasty getaway, and was soon lost
in the mist, going in the same direction.
Dan stood for a time, gravely inspecting
the third airplane, parked short distance
away.
"Maybe | better take this one an run it
by sitting down beside it and falling asleep.
Probably ar hour later his rest was dis
turbed. A taxicab stood near, the driver
evidently resting. Beside the driver sat one
who evidently just came along for the ride
The fare, short, hawk-faced man, aroused
Dan rather roughly and demanded to know
his business. Dan had slept off small por-
ton of his jag, but none of his fixed idea
that he had important business in Wichita
which nothing but airplane speed could sat
isfy. He stated his wants, and drew forth a
handful of bills as articles of good faith.
"All right" replied the flier, who was
rapidly preparing the machine for use, '.itll
cost you forty dollars"
Brightly" said Dan, fumblingly counting
out the cash, which the birdman stuffed into
a vest pocket. Then he took from his bag
leather coat, goggles and helmet and after
some difficulty adjusted them to his pas
senger. The two men left the taxicab and
came forward to help the awkward pas
senger into the cockpit forward.
"Goin' to take the air, Mr.. Alden?' in
quired one of them.
"Yeh, important business in Wichita.
Mus get there n hurry. Com to time
this guy and if he's slow | dock him, same