Part 2

“Aerial transportation is not just a thing of the future. It is already here. In May, 1918, regular aeroplane mail service was begun between New York City and Washington, D. C. Many men now have their own aeroplanes or seaplanes, and travel around in them as commonly as in an automobile. Two brave Italians flew, in a trifle over seven hours, from Turin, Italy, across the Alps and then to London—a distance of 650 miles. A gigantic aeroplane has been invented in Italy. It is called the Caproni Triplane, because a man named Caproni invented it, and because it bears three sets of planes or wings. It is able to travel a long distance and carry heavy loads.

“Outside of transportation, there are and will be numerous other peace-time uses for aeroplanes and balloons. But I have time to tell about only two more—ship saving and aerial weather observation. Many a ship stranded on the rocks in a storm can be reached by a life line thrown from a rescue airship. An aviator high in the sky can find out weather conditions not known on the earth below. From his reports, we shall be able to make more accurate weather forecasts.

“Well, boys,” said Uncle Sam, “my aviation story is over, and I must be on my way.”

He gives each boy a warm handshake, and bids good-bye. He jumps into his aeroplane, and starts the motor. The propellers whirl. The noise of the motor is deafening. Finally, the big bird skims the ground and gracefully ascends.

A beautiful landscape closes the scene. The sun, in a halo of golden glory, sinks in the west. Uncle Sam in his aeroplane is a mere speck in the lonely twilight sky. The boys watch him float out of sight, and then start for home with their minds full of aeroplanes, balloons, aviators, aviation.

Transcriber’s note:

1. Silently corrected typographical errors and variations in spelling.

2. Archaic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings retained as printed.