Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1930-07-05

within. Dear indulgent mother
fact that my every wish had
that / should always receive fl
1t did not take long for me to mas
ter the intricacies of an aeroplane. I
had a knack for it. I soon became
pilot, one of the first Negro pilots
ever licensed for the Bessie Coleman
Air Line that carried passengers on
short trips and sightseeing tours. I
kept my own private plane out at the
field and when there were no trips to
make (ant, that was often Tor our
people were not airminde6 spent
my spare time up in my plane prac-
ticing different stunts.
One morning when there was moth
ing to do I went to the hangar Tor
my plane. Joe Stevenson, one OF the
mechanics, was looking 1t over.
I'm going to take her out and
give her a trial this morning, Joe"
A Fool-hardy Risk
you'd better wait while, Philip"
he cautioned, until I finish looking
h over"
bird yesterday. Perfect take-ot,
perfect landing"
Just the same I'd advise you to
wat"
Joe was giving me good advice but
] had always been impatient. he
wac thorough and careful, one who
could be depended upon at all times,
nevertheless his very opposition made
me all the more determined.
III take her out and trust to luck.
Contact" yelled as I climbed into
the cockpit. NV take-off was good.
NV plane. called Vanity l." took the
air and sailed smoothly. I circled
over the field and then headed due
north. / felt sense of eXhilaration.
The motor roared as the plane cut
its way through the air. 1 turned
the plane back south and was soon
over the field again. was prepar-
inc to make a landing when my plane
d:5 little stunt all its own.
The controls "froze." The plane
went into :. tail-spin and in few
seconds I was pinned underneath the
wrockage of Vanity l." Now most
accidents of this sort are fatal and
probably mine would have been had
It not been for the quick action of
Pearl Nelson who was daring STUNT
f1ier. She was the first to reach me
and pull me from beneath the wreck
age. She worked with Superhuman
effort for she realized the danger.
had been dragged away none too soon
for the wrecked plane suddenly burst
into flames leaving only the twisted
black metal frame.
I was rushed over to the hospital.
Besides being badly shaken and hav-
inr several of my ribs broken I had
some severe cuts about my face ana
head.
For once in my life was subject
ed to discipline. So unaccustomed to
such restraint, was eager to get out.
One Sunday afternoon Joe accom-
panied by girl friend came to see
me. The girl was like a beautiful
brown princess, tall and stately. She
looked as though she were immune
to fear; ard she was really in love
with Joe. One could see that at
glance. While Joe fairly worshipped
the ground she walked on. I proba-
bly, wouldn't have given her another
thought had it not been for Joe'S re-
marks. Beautiful girls were no rarity
to me-
Gee, it's too bad for you to be laid
up like this, Phil. But you know
warned you before you went up"
That angered me. If there is any
thing hate, it's to have some one
say. Il told you So"
Then the girl piped up. eyes. Joe
usually knows what he's talking
about"
They did not stay long and 7 was
glad. Inside / was boiling; J. was
furious. Joe was smart, was he?
Joe was wise. Joe knew 1t all. Well,
we'd see." : thought.
I didn't want the girl. wouldn't
have her (eyen though had to admit
that she was beauty but deter
mined to take her away from Joe,
make her love me, then throw her