Viewing page 53 of 372

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

[[?]] New York
7 Jan 1907

AERO CLUB BUSY.
Much Work to Be Done in Securing Race Entries.
Now that all arrangements have been made to start the race for the Bennett international balloon trophy from St. Louis, the officers of the Aero Club have begun to busy themselves in another line of endeavor—that of securing a sufficient number of entries to the race to make it a complete success. With the original closing time only three weeks away, the only definite assurances of participation received have been from France, which is practically certain to send three balloons [[t]]o America in the effort to recover the prize.
Entries had been confidently looked from Spain, England, Germany, Italy and Belgium. Thus far the nearest approach to actually entering balloons has been the receipt of inquiries about the starting point and conditions of the contest. The questions have been answered, but in order to allow ample time for the foreigners to decide[[,]] a request may be presented to the International Federation, asking that the closing time for entries be extended from Feb. 1 to March 1. The former date is specified by the regulations, but in this case it appears too early if a large number of contestants is desired.
Frank Lahm, father of Lieut. Lahm, the young American who captured the Bennett last fall, is expected to arrive in this city to-day to prepare for his trip abroad in the interests of the event. He will confer with officers of the Aero Club of America and will sail shortly. Following his arrival in Europe Mr. Lahm will visit the various clubs composing the International Aeronautic Federation and will explain about the outlook and prospects.
[[When]] the Federation officers are agree- [[cut off]] extension of time, [[cut off]]nd it impossible [[cut off]] before the entries close. It is rather early, however, to apprehend failure, as the Europeans still have three weeks in which to send their entries. The offer of additional cash prizes to the balloons finishing second, third and fourth is expected to act as an incentive.


[[?]] New York
8 Jan 1907

AEROPLANE CHAT.
When a Man Takes His Wife Out for a Little Sky Ride.
Smith—Oh, do sit still, dear. What are you wriggling about for?
Mrs. S.—I was only putting my hat straight, darling.
Smith—Never mind your hat. I want to keep her quite steady. Don't you see that chap down there taking a snapshot at us?
Mrs. S.—Of course I do. That's why I wanted——Look out, dear, here come the Browns. They live in the white house just below us, you know. Bow, dear, they're quite good people.
Smith—He can't steer straight, anyhow—banging us into a beastly patch of chimney smoke like that.
Mrs. S.—Look out; there's a crow coming. Oh, do be careful; it's one of those fierce ones.
Smith—Where?—which way? I can't see it.
Mrs. S.—On your left. He's coming right at us—— O-o-oh.
Smith—Missed him by a hair, by Jove[[.]] Confound those birds; we shall have to exterminate them.
Mrs. S.—That would be rather a pity, too—the children like to see them about. Still, we could keep a few in cages for them to look at, couldn't we? What's it rocking for now?
Smith—That's because you're wriggling again. You're making it rock.
Mrs. S.—I'm not. I'm absolutely rigid. There's something wrong—I know there is. Oh, what is it?
Smith—Only a bit of a squall. Here comes the breeze. There—now she's shifting. That's fine, isn't it?
Mrs. S.—Yes, dear; but I shall be awake all night with ear ache after this. I've forgotten the cotton wool again. Why, there's a bit just below.
Smith—No, that's a sheep, and look at that little car crawling along. Aren't you glad we sold ours for this?
Mrs. S.—Yes, dear, for most things; but of course one misses not having the road near to fall on. There now—it's beginning to wabble again. Do make it stop—there's no wind now.
Smith—Well, I'm trying to—I expect it's that off wing wants a little oil.
Mrs. S.—That's made it worse! Oh, we're going—oh—oh!
Smith—For heaven's sake leave go. How can I see to things with you clinging round my neck? There, she's right again now.
Mrs. S.—I'm sorry, dear, but when it does like that I always think of the children.
Smith—Well, so do I—but if you are going to lose your head every time we tilt I shan't bring you up with me again.
Mrs. S.—Don't say that—I couldn't bear to let you come alone, darling.
Smith—Shall we have the sherry and sandwiches now? You've got them, haven't you?
Mrs. S.—I had until we began to wobble, then I put them on the little shelf behind.
Smith—There is no little shelf behind. I took it off before we started to lighten her. You've dropped them overboard, that's what you've done.
Mrs. S.—I'm so sorry—but I tied them to a gasbag, so we can soon pick them up.
Smith—One gasbag won't keep them both up—there they are, drifting over the ground just above the road down there. What's that chap waving for?
Mrs. S.—He's not waving, he's leaping up and trying to catch them before they float over the wall. It's a poor old tramp. Look, he's got them. He thinks it's a present—he's looking up and taking his cap off to us. How sweet!
Smith—Very sweet—to drop things overboard like that. You're always doing it.
Mrs. S.—It was quite an accident. If you are hungry let's go home and have lunch.
Smith—I'm not particularly hungry.
Mrs. S.—Well, personally, I couldn't touch a bit of anything. The oscillation always makes me rather queer—and you're looking a little green, dear.
Smith—Green—nonsense—I'm all right—it never has any effect [[cut off]] Still, of course [[i]]f you really want to go [[cut off]]ll take you at once.
Mrs. S.—Thank you, darling—we've had [[a]] simply perfect fly, but I should love to lie down a little while on a fixed sofa.—Punch

Transcription Notes:
This is a variant copy of the previous page. I have declined to retranscribe the articles that were fully visible there, and instead only included the two articles that were cut off.