Bob looked at the circular a long time. Then he suddenly thought of the great fortune he and his friends were already counting.
“It’s nice of father to suggest it,” said Bob soberly to his mother. “And I like the idea so well that I’m going to ask the boys to do it.”
“Buy an aeroplane?” gasped Mrs. Balfour.
“‘From now on, I’m going to let you take care of yourself,’” said Bob laughing, as he repeated what his mother had said Sunday morning.
“I—” began his mother. Then, holding up her hands as if in despair, she too laughed. “I guess you’ve got me, Bob,” was all she could say. “But I hope you boys lose your case in court.”
The circular that caused the revolution in the Anclote Boat Club was as follows:
| AMERICAN AEROPLANE COMPANY | |
| FACTORY | OFFICES |
| Newark, New Jersey. U. S. A. | New York, London, Paris, Chicago |
| MR. ROBERT T. ATKINSON, President | |
| Capital Stock, $1,000,000 | |
Tested Aeroplanes Ready for Delivery
The flying machine is here to stay, and any one who can afford the luxury of a ride in the air should investigate. The aeroplane is no longer a novelty or a wonder. The American Aeroplane Company, organized with a paid-up capital stock of $1,000,000, is now ready to deliver reliable and tested aeroplanes, standardized in make-up, and ready to fly. We offer F. O. B., Newark, New Jersey, complete cars for $3,000, and upward. They comprehend every development up to date. The frame is of Oregon spruce and bamboo; the planes of rubberized silk balloon cloth. The power plant is a four-cylinder, gasoline, water-cooled motorcycle engine, 25-horsepower cylinders, 3¾ by 4. The control is extremely simple. The elevation is regulated by a steering lever, the balancing planes are specially designed devices controlled by the movement of the feet. The machine starts from the ground without track or outside help, and it can be taken apart in two hours.