Esther Barnes
English Theme
Period 111
September 19, 1932
One would never guess by looking at me that Lindberg and I have anything in common. But we have, and please don’t laugh when I tell you what it is. To some, it may seem very insignificant, but to me it is important. Lindy and I both have made an aeroplane flight. Of course, he is much more experienced in the field of aviation than I, since I’ve made only one fifteen minute flight, but I feel as if I have experienced some of the same thrills.
My memorable flight was very unexpected. One Sunday afternoon four of us planned to go swimming. Since this was our plan, I found it altogether fitting and proper to wear pajamas. It was rather cool for a lengthy swim so we did not remain long in the water. As the afternoon was not yet half gone it was suggested that we drive to the airport to witness the parachute jumps scheduled for five o’clock.
While waiting for time to pass someone suggested that we go up. Ah, one of my life-long ambitions was about to be realized. Suddenly I remembered that I had not brought my flying togs. Oh well, why let a little thing like that bother me? After securing our tickets, we had to decide in which planes we wanted to make this perilous journey. It was impossible for the four of us to go up in the same plane. The other two were kind enough to let us decide which of two planes we wanted. We choose the open bi-plane and the other couple took the beautiful, black Stintson cabin plane.
We started across the field and never in my life have I experienced such a feeling of self-consciousness. The wind insisted on blowing my pajama legs around my ankles and of course I hung my toe in them and would have fallen had it not been for the kindly arm of my escort. I imagined I could hear the snickers of the spectators. Perhaps it was only the wind. At last we reached the plane and I was assisted to the cockpit. My hands began to feel cold and clammy and I experienced a sinking feeling, akin, they say, to sea sickness. We taxied across the bumpy field and as I took a last glimpse of Mother Earth I wondered if I would safely return. We gained altitude so smoothly and rapidly that I was hardly aware of it.
As I looked down toward terra firma, it was impossible for me to describe my feelings. Here I was, little unimportant me, up in God’s heaven. Could it be true? Would I land safely? The wind and motor were screaming wildly as I strained to hear when I was told we were passing over my neighborhood. I waved a “hello” to the folks below so they wouldn’t think I was high-toning them. We flew over Teacher’s College, skirted the business district, and passed over Senior High School. We headed toward the airport and I knew my journey was almost over. We reached there all too soon for me.
Coming down, I had the same feeling I have when I descend in the elevator in the Landers Building. For a few minutes after leaving the plane I could scarcely hear but my head soon cleared. As I walked to the car I’m sure I had the same feeling Lindy had when he landed in Paris five years ago.
As souvenirs of my flight I have a ticket stub and a spot of engine grease on my pajamas, which, I am secretly thankful, has failed to wash out.
Teacher’s comment: Ex