Result of Recent Salvage Case
It became known yesterday that the six members of the Anclote Boat Club, who were recently awarded ten thousand dollars salvage in the Elias Ward rescue, have determined to put a part of their treasure trove into an up-to-date aeroplane. Thomas Allen and Robert Balfour, the nineteen and eighteen year old president and secretary of the club, have been delegated to go to New York to select the airship.
It also became known at the same time that there is decided objection to this on the part of the parents of more than one boy. But the youngsters seem determined, and there is a strong probability that parental objections will be defied.
Tom Allen, president of the club, said yesterday: “You bet we are going to do it. Every one of the six members of the club risked his life to earn that money, and why shouldn’t we spend it as we like? We are going to use three thousand dollars to buy an aeroplane, one thousand to repair our club house over on Perdido Bay, and divide the remainder. The court awarded us the money, and we’re going to beat the men of Pensacola by bringing an aeroplane down here before they wake up.”
Then followed a column story reviewing the rescue, the trial, and the history of the club.
“It’s all right,” exclaimed Tom when he read the story, “except that it’s about three-fourths wrong. There aren’t six members in the club. I didn’t say anything about risking our lives or that we were going to spend one thousand dollars on the club house.”
Bob was tempted to send a copy of the newspaper to his father, but he was afraid the joke would be on him. It was victory enough to get his mother’s consent to the plan. He was sure his father would object. The printed story was true as to Tom and Bob going north to buy the airship, but the announcement was premature. It required nearly two days of pleading before Mrs. Balfour and Mrs. Allen agreed to this. But, at last, Mrs. Balfour began to take a pride in Bob’s businesslike program, and she consented—although it was with many misgivings.
“I thought I took you out of school and brought you down here to rest and get strong,” said Mrs. Balfour to her son.
“Well,” answered Bob, “do I look as if I’m losing any weight?”