The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1943-04-02
PILOT
CHAPTER Xxi

Cannon dllO illdNHiliS SUNS
"A lot of weight, then. In
glider trains.
"WellSlook, Jimmy-that far
mer who made me mad, he said
it was a crazy idea. He said
gliders are just kites. He said
he resented the whole idea.
Resented il? For Pete S
sake
Some people always resent
new ideas another officer put
in.
He said that soaring might
have some place in the Army
business, but it certainly had
none in civilian life. And he
said the Army ought to mind
its own affairs
Jimmy said, The Army is
made up Of civilians IN uniform
Our problems arc theirs. Theirs
are ours.
Il told him that" Pat agreed
But he-he laughed, the wrong
way ! said it was feasible for
air trains to take perishable
fruits and vegetables from these
very farms, and drop off a load
cd glider al every town passed
He SCOTS at the whole idea OF
air trains.
Jimmy slapped the table.
We can show him proof.
said he. He turned TO the other
officers. Gentlemen, this week
we have a soaring carnival. And
here is a challenge, put rigfftaE
to us by a civilian. It's rather
significant, if you ask me. Will
you help me back up what Pat
what Miss Stuart told that farm
or, with real proof?
The officers were looking al
Pat in frank admiration.
You're still my secretary
Private Friday Capt. James
Carr was saying, pompously
Now you rustic up the local
soaring club officials. Tell them
vel need
why don't we call the Army
soaring fields?"
mo- Pat And I'll tell YOU
why" She and Jimmy were
alone in Major Hale's office
there at Sky Harbor. Jimmy
walked about the room. too full
of energy to think of sitting
The reason is. we want
civilians TO do this, IN spite ol
the dangers on test trip.
do WEI
We'll, don't weg THINK, Pr
vate Pat.'
Army pilots will be better
trained, Jimmy. And if we want
TO really demonstrate glider
train"
IF public kaeMs-the-ArHs
can fly elders. What we have
TO do is to sell civilians on civ.
ilian soaring With hard, ever
dangerous route, for demonstra'
ton.
"Oh. Yes, | do see.
You and | know that tho
average college boy or girl, OF
even kids operate sallplanes IL
. Just a few days4training. But
do you think the public realizes
that yet? No, sir.'
No. No, Jimmy. That farm
er who took offensc--he made
that very point. He had never
seen or head Of glider train be-
fore, so figured there couldn't be
such thing.
Exactly. So, Pat, you stick
here and do the -tefcptroning
hunh? We want d train Of IL
ships and a power plane to tow
them It's going to make a
grand show. And, uh-look
Pat you be sure and maneuver
me TO drive the tow plane, sec?
| wanta be the one who runs
that locomotive in the sky
Pat laughed. Yes, sonny.
Sister will let you be the en-
gineer. You can loot the whistle
and ring the bell!'
NO Joking, Pat he wheed-
led. You arrange it. Just, uh,
Just sort of take il for granted.
You see, ii Was you who suggest
ed this train idea, and the big
shot officers all fell for you.
OH"
Sure, they did. You looked
cute as pie. Turned the old
charm on them, whether yol
realized il or not. SO, YOU can get
anything you want. Me, I'm lick
ing your boots. l want TO run
that tow plane. -
Pat felt a sudden tenderness
for him, a surge of love for this
boyish man. Her eyes we're mis-
-ty- when she spoke -agaiif.-She
winked knowingly and said,
I'll do it. jim. I'll use all the
influence | can"
Thanks, Pat. Then he add
ed, mischicvously. But as soon
as | get the time, | aim TO court
martial you. Imagine, captain
asking favors of a buck private.
He was putting on his dress
cap and moving toward the
door. Pat wrinklcd her nose al
him
Where can ! locate you If l
need YOU" she asked.
I'LL 2.