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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (July 21, 1918)
THE SIJXDAT OHEGONIAX, FORTIAT, JULY 21, 1918. 11 RAOUL LUFBERY'S LUST TALE IS TOLD American "Ace of Aces" Meets Jerrible But Glorious Death Soon After Writing Story. DIJON AIRPLANE GRAVEYARD Aviation Camp at Toul Reached and French Flyers Immediately Pro ceed to Initiation of Sfewcom ers by Xlght Alarm of Raid. - BY F.AOUL LTJFBERY. TTha American "Ace of Aces- " Farewell Article. Finished the Night Before He Died. Copyright 1918. by the McClure Newspaper Syndicate.) A week passed at the center of avia tion at Dijon without my having to exert any talents as a sallmaker. The battle of the Marne was at hand, but our placid existence was undisturbed. The greater portion of my working time was spent as "pilote des caisses d'essence," an aviation term applied to unloading the auto trucks bringing' In the 60-liter cases of aeroplane gasoline and carrying them to the storeroom on one's back. This was not a very In teresting occupation, but it had to be done. Moreover, It was useless to ob ject, the military regulations requiring that one perform the duties assigned to him without any dispute. To those who complain they invariably reply with a shrug of the shoulders and a "Qu'est-se que vous voulez? C'est la guerrel" My only consolation was In finding there a friend whom I had known before the war. Captain James N. Hall, who was with me the other day when he was shot down and cap tured. He was an author and had won the academic palms. He, also, strug gled at "pilotage des. caisses d'es sence," but lacked the Inclination and the training for this kind of work, and I do not think that I made a mls-r take when I said that he would never be an expert In that line. After the, day's work was finished we Invariably spent the evening In the barracks, reading the papers and dis cussing the news, which at that time was very discouraging. "It's going bad. It's going very bad!" said one. "The Boches continue their mark toward Paris. It appears that theyre not very far from there now." Pessimism Is Rampant. To which another replied: "But. old top, don't you see. that's the Idea. We let them advance in order to beat them all the worse. Besides, I've got the latest dope; my cousin works In the ministry." Then the shrill, rasping voice of our pessimist broke out. "You're all of you way behind the times. Don't let any one pull the wool over your eyes like that. Can't you see that we've been betrayed; sold out to the Boche as we were in 1870! "What do you think of It? You, the American!" "What do I think of it?" I replied, reflectively. "Well, I xnlnk that al though we have lost the first battle, we still have enough time to win an other." This reply, almost herolque, did not please my Interlocutor the least bit, for he shouted in a voice louder than be fore: "Hey. there! You guys; look at the Yank who is trying to put some thing over on us. That's all been hashed over long ago. General Desaix made that same little clap-trap speech years before you. and he at least was an ace of his time, while you why, you 11 never be one, or I miss my guess." I was going to answer when sud iflenly "taps" were sounded, putting an end to the discussion, nd we all went to bed. Aeroplane Graveyard Described. The center of aviation at Dijon, like all large centers which were up to date, had its cemetery; except that this one did not exist, as one might be led to believe, to serve as the last resting place for the remains of the pilots and mechanicians of the camp. No. Indeed! It was simply a chosen patch of ground, or rather, a very bizarre dumpheap. where rested In common the remains of aeroplanes of all types and all makes. This graveyard made a lasting lm pression upon my memory. Often, dur ing a few leisure moments. I would stroll over there and rest my elbows upon the top rail of the fence that sep arated these derelicts from the outer world. I would think how much like human beings were these discarded ma chines. Only a few months ago they had been alive, although it was only mechanical life, and had been able to defy the laws of gravity and soar with the birds. And now they were- In the discard, left to rot and ruin, not worth the space they occupied. The flat surfaces of the wings were covered with dust; the fabrla had been torn in thousands of places and here and there pieces dangled by mere threads, swaying In the breeze; the cables and staywlrea especially ap pealed to the spiders looking for home, and In many cases were veri table panels of cobwebs; and occa sionally there was to be seen a motor, rusty enough to have been at the bot torn of the ocean for a dozen years. Many Plane Unrecognizable. In looking over this ghostly and mot ley collection of derelicts, I had much the same feeling that I imagined the good people who first saw old Rip Van Winkle must have had when he burst upon them after his 20 years of sleep. I could distinguish many of the dif lerent types, while others were smashed and wrecked beyond all rec ognition. Just before me lay a Bier tot that had been through a bad wing Blip. The right wing was broken off close at -the fuselage and its tip crum pled and torn, much as one wads up newspaper before throwing It into the fire. In one corner I could make out an old Breguet that had experienced "pancake," or loss of speed, from height of about 30 feet. Its landing gear had been pushed away up be tween the wings. Among us mechan icians, this type of machine was faml liarly called "McCormick," because When in the air the sound of its motor could be very easily mistaken for th threshing machine at work in the ad Joining field. Ancient Fannan "Cage Poole." Near the entrance lay an ancient Karman. type 1913, with the elevatin planes eticking away out in front. In loving terms we always spoke of this type apparatus as a "cage poule" be cause, with its many struts and in tenacea staywires, it did greatly re eemble the fenced-in yard where th tetter portion or our ham and eggs originate. Also this pet name, at time rather got under the ekin of the pilots riding tnese Dusts. Occupying a prominent place In th center or this eacred plot, droope one over another, were several Mo rance-Parasols. One In particular recognized. Its nose was smashed In Its tall gone, and the fuselage broke lost control of this machine and ram med into the ground head first; one of the worst smashes I have ever seen. It made me shiver to look at It. Frequently my reveries were dis turbed by the arrival of a new victim. Then I would Jump over the fence, examine it carefully, trying to ascer tain, if possible, the cause of its down fall, and later discussing the accident with my comrades. The day following my dispute with the pessimist. I was assigned with my friend, the academlctan, to carry the tail of a smashed Blerlot to its last abode. A corporal was in com mand of the detail, that Is to say, he was the "master of ceremonies." Blare Ponrpe Reappears. "Hey, corporal! Director of the wor tesre," cried mir friend, "don't you think that a little march from Chopin would be appropriate on this occa sion?" The corporal, good boy that he was, found the idea very amusing and set the example himself, by striking up the opening etralna in his deep bass voice. Being unable to elng, or at the most singing very badly, I contented myself by being the chief mourner., But this did not add to the harmony. My wait ings resembled more the yelping of a dog when you etep on his tail. The funeral procession was slowly approaching the cemetery, wlten sud denly a loud voice rose above our hubbub. I heard someone calling. "Lufberyl Lufbery!" I turned around and saw a figure coming towards us gesturing wildly. Looking again, I recognized Marc Pourpe. "Well! Luf, old man! How's every thing going?" he eaid,. shaking hands. "You certainly have been interested in your work; here I've been hollering at you for more than five minutes, and you never even turned your head."v Preparations tor Flight Made. Qu'est-ce que vous voulez?".! re plied, shrugging my shoulders. "C'est la guerre!" 'C'est la guerre! Yes!" he shot back. 'And now you're going to fight in a slightly different fashion, for I'm tak ing you to the front with me! We leave tomorrow, in my double-Beater, Mor- ne-Parasol, to join the Kscadrille M. at TouL I have seen the command- ng officer of the camp, asked for you and everything Is arranged. Nothing more for you to do but to pack. Does that suit you?" Hip! Hip! Hip! Hooray 1" I rouslngly replied. The next day I was ready long be fore the hour of departure. Very care fully I had packed my equipment in all the spare corners of the fuselage. There was a blanket; a haversack, very fat and bulging, holding my mess kit, toilet articles, etc.; a bag of. tools and lastly, a "fusil Gras." a relic of the ays of 1870, with which I proposed to bring down the first Boche who vould umoriunaio enougn to cross our path. The visibility was good, the clouds were high and the wind favorable. We must take advantage of these ex cellent conditions," remarked Marc Pourpe, upon approaching his machine. and get under way.- Bundle up well. ecause It s a long trip and you know how cold It Is up high. You haven't forgotten the least little thing?" Then, glancing towards the rear seat. he saw my baggage. Well! Well!" he exclaimed, "you certainly have a nerve. What's all this unkT A fusil Gras! Why not a "soix- ante qulnze? But no. this time I ob- ect. Do you take my Morane for a wheelbarrow? If we're able to leave the ground with all this Junk, well, e'll certainly be fortunate, and our lucky star, which has always favored will still be here, watching over us. eeping us in the right path, safe from all harm." And more of the same. Voyage of Tool Eventful. Nevertheless, a little Jater, the Mo rane -Parasol, In spite of Its overload, driven by its pilot, defended by Its mechanician, majestically took the air and headed northwest, leaving far be hind a checkerboard of forests, towns and green fields, interlaced here .and there by the smooth, hard-packed oads, standing out in the sunset like silvery ribbons. That evening towards 5 o clock, after an uneventful voyage, we landed on the aviation field near TouL There we found a few friends whom we had known before the war: among them the aviators Gilbert and Garros, who Iso belonged to this famous "Esca rllle de reconnaissance M. S. 23." com manded by Captain de Vergnette. Being as yet unaccustomed to long aerial trips, I admitted frankly that was rather tired, and Z was more than pleased to find, in the mechanics' dormitory, an unoccupied bed with everal blankets. Arranging things as oxnfovtably as possible, I was prepar ing to enjoy a well-earned rest, when suddenly In the next room, separated from ours by only a wooden partition, heard some voices and soon recog nized that of Garros. "My Captain," he eald, "I declare openly that it's getting to be terrible. Again, I was almost brought down by r Tench bulletsl And this time it wasn't too far away. It hit my rear gasoline tank and Just grazed the observer's back. Don't you think that this is ridiculous? It would be much prefer able if they did not shoot at all. This time, there was absolutely no excuse: was iiying low enough for them to see my cocardes. If they took the trouble." Yes" responded the Cantaln. "tbla Is happening too frequently. We must look for a remedy. But it Is not alto gether the pollus' fault that they shoot at us, they mean all right. I think that, above all, the newspapers are responsible for these disagreeable mis takes. Look here! Not later than last Monday I read an article which said that all aeroplanes having a covered fuselage and a flsh-Hke tail were Ger man. You will admit that this la stupid, although nothing la truer. But one thing is evident that the reporters who write this foolishness have alwi v. ignorea, ana sua ignore, the existence ot tne Alorane-ParasoL" Alarm of Enemy Given. 'Mechanicians, attention! I damand aosolute silence! I have a verv lm portant mesage for vou!" It wan the Adjutant Pilote Plnsard who-burst Into our room and spoke thusly: wait lor these orders, and above an, let no one move unleaa I aav r ne continued In gases', due no dnnht to his rather violent entrance. By the flickering light of the lantern he read the following message, apparently oi u djt teiepnono; To the Commanding- Officer ef the Eaea It haa been reported that 40 Uhlans are aovancing- cowards xoul, probably wttlv th Intention of m&ktnar a raid unon th. eT-n drome. Prepare for the defense of the camp i,jiuijr poisi Die. Arter having read the message, the Adjutant quickly lifted his head, looked arounq ana inquired: -".Are there som ginintmmnnmmnMiiimiiiniininMiiimmtimnmimiimMHiiiiiiinn a n w h q - k&i Jv IfcnMti m DININO 0OOM H U 1 Our Usual Liberal Credit Terms Will Apply on All Purchases Living Room Furniture v $14.00 Birdseye Maple Stand for S 8.50 $20.00 Oak Rocker with leather seat. . .S14.85 $135.00 Circassian Walnut Parlor Suite (3 pieces) S05.0O $125.00 Solid Mahogany Parlor Suite (3 pieces) S65.00 $60.00 Quartered Oak Hall Seat and Mirror. ..S38.50 $55.00 Early Eng. Hall Seat and Mirror $27.50 $125.00 Quartered Oak Hall Seat and Mirror . . . . -S62.50 $45.00 Quartered Oak Colonial Bed. . . . .S33.75 $65.00 Circassian Walnut Colonial Bed. .S39.25 $ 3.25 Mahogany Finish Fire Screen. . .S 1.75 Dining Room Furniture $38.50 Golden Oak Buffet only S25.00 $50.00 Combination Buffet and China Closet ...S36.85 $80.00 Quartered Oak Buffet, 60-in. top S59.85 $13.50 Quartered Oak Dining Chair. . . . 7.65 $18.50 Quartered Oak Carver to match S10.25 $82.50 Quartered Oak China Closet SGO.OO $85.00 Quartered Oak Colonial Buffet. .61.75 $115.00 Mahogany Colonial Buffet for. .S86-.50 $320.00 Massive Circassian Walnut Din ing Suite (10 pieces) S239.50 $80.00 Massive Quartered Oak Dining Table ....... 559.85 THIS is a July sale of odd and single pieces and suites which we cannot replace. Opportunity is offered to buy them at very incisive reductions from the normal prices. The past week has witnessed intensive, enthusiastic buying on the part of scores of customers, old and new. Many additional pieces have been marked down for this week's selling, some of which are listed here. Every piece that has been reduced shows both the former price and the clearance price. You can buy good furniture here at the lowest prices of the year. Great Sale Room-Size Rugs $33.50 Velvet Rugs $29.25 These are fine 9x12 rugs in small designs; some are seamed, others are seamless. Good value at the regular price. A remarkable value at the sale price. Buy Lace Curtains Now at Reduced Prices Cream and Ecru Voile Curtains, with. Filet insertion, 2H yards Ion?, 36 inches wide; regular $2.45 value. An QfT extra special at, per pair OlatO A hemstitched Marquisette, in cream and ecru, extra quality, 34 inches wide; hemmed with mercerized finish; an ex tra value for the price. Reg- OQ ular 45c yard. Special for, yard a-aC Auto Robes Regular $14.50 Auto Robes in two toned Scottish plaids and Q" "I OK plain weave, reduced to OA Aeafiitl Bedroom Furniture $60.00 Solid Mahogany Chiffonier S44.50 $67.50 Solid Mahogany Dresser to match S51.25 $45.00' Quartered Oak Chiffonier S33.85 $28.50 Solid Oak Colonial Dresser S19.85 $47.50 Hardwood Dressing Table for...S23.75 $68.75 Mahogany and Cane Bed only. . . -S51.50 $48.50 Dressing Table to match S36.75 $57.50 Dresser to match S44.25 $57.50 Chiffonier to match S44.25 $85.00 Gentleman's Mahog'y Wardrobe. S62.50 $65.00 Gentleman's Mahogany Combina tion Shaving Cabinet and Chiffonier. -S46.50 $46.75 Brass Bed reduced to. S34.60 Sale Lingerie Boxes $15.00 Lingerie Boxes now $8.65 $10.50 Lingerie Boxes now $3.85 $15.00 Cretonne-cov'd Cedar Chests $8.75 Plain side drapes of an extra heavy sunfast madras, with corded edge; 23 inches wide by 66 inches long, In brown and blue, and brown mixed. (J4 Qr Regular $; special, per pair Orrea&O Short lengths of sunfast, up to 10 yards, 50 inches wide; a full range of colors to select from. Regular $2.23, special $1.85 Regular $2.00, special $1.5" Regular $1.75, special $1.10 Traveler's Equipment Regular $15.00 Suit Cases of black leather, $10.75. Regular $12.50 Traveling Bags of black leather, $9.25. The Hoover Vacuum Cleaner The Hoover gets all of the dirt and dust. No other vacuum cleaner can clean so thoroughly as the Hoover Suction Cleaner. Shown on the second floor. We Are Exclusive Portland Agents for Bridge, Beach & Co.'s Superior Stoves, Ranges and Gas Ranges niiiiiiiiiiiiiintwniiinHUiiiimiiimimmiiiiiimiiimmiiim MiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiinjiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiuiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiuiii brave ones anions youT I must have four . volunteers Immediately 1 As rapidly as possible I slipped Into my clothed, put on my shoe, and with out losing- a minute, offered my aerv- lc&s to the pilote Plnsard. . "Excellent! That a very a-ooa. ne said. "See that sun over there In the corner? Take it and come with me. I am aolng- to post you aa advance sentry." "You will wait litre,' ne raid, ad dressing- the three other mechanics. 1 11 come hack for you. Put out all lights and. above all. make no noise." we went out Into the night together. stealthily slipping- along-, grail ng- the walls, and taking- a thousand precau tion t rt avnid ibeinor . . n Tina.llv we arrived near a large tree which was o serve the strategic position. Already somebody was there. That somebody proved to be Marc Pourpe, a revolver In hi) right band and a dagger In bis left. His eyes were trying to pierce the darkness In the direction from which the enemy should appear. Upon seeing- us he let out a sigh of relief. New Recruits Initiated. "At last." he whispered hoarsely, "the relief. It'a not too soon. Cer tainly It Is more than half an hour that I've been on the alert. "The relief 1 Not yet!" answered Pin sard. "This Is only reinforcements that I have brought you. "You understand. Lufbery," be added, turning towards me, you are to re main here until your ammunition Is exhausted. See that hay stack sear the road?? "Yes. I see It." I replied. "Well! When the enemy arrives there. commence nrlng. "But," I protested to him, "I have examined the magazine of my Lebel and there's not a single cartridge in lt." That makes no difference," he as sured me, "remain here Just the same, I will send eome." And he was gone. Five minutes passed, then ten, and the ammunition did not show up. In reality I was beginning- to find the time a trine long. "All the same, this Is too much neg llgence. Don't you think so?" asked Pourpe. "So much the worse." 1 replied, put ting- on a resigned air. A la guerre, comma a la guerrel If the Uhlans come, I'll hit "em on the head with the butt of my gun. 'You'd better go back ana get some cartridges." advised Pourpe in a sut dued voice. "What can you do, with an empty run against fortyT Gol I'll remain here alone." I hastened over to tna aormitory and, throwing- open -the door, cried as loud as possible, "CAKTHlWiESl or the " But I could not finish. Loud peals of laughter came from all cor ners of the room. The joke was so evident that I ' could not help from Joining in the general hilarity. "Don't say a word to anyone, con fided a mechanto -mar me, "that's how we Initiate all the new arrivals. Now we're going- to play It en another." BoJkfof PERUN A Greatest Human Vitalizer "During- the winters of 1897 and 1898, I was so badly afflicted with catarrh of the head and thought I must surely die from it. After trying many doctors and all other recom mended remedies made known to me, I was induced to use Peruna. I was cared entirely by using twelve bot tles of Peruna and one bottle of Manalln. Since that time, I have never been without PerunaI use It for colds and aa a general tenlc dnrinai Spring; and Fall months and find It the greatest human vitalizer." , Sold Everywhere I Was Entirely Cured 1 ;V' jJ Mr. Wm. A. Hartmaaa, Jt7Vi E. Second St., Muskogee, Oklahoma, thus describes his case. Read his letter. Note Major hie famr am Lufbery 'a asrhtls narrative of ar pilot had reached tfcla point on May 18. The laat sheets were lying; on hla table the next morning na he tumbled out on the fleid In response to nn alarm and roae for the laat time. An hour later hie ana ralne came Mm In laraea and the American "are of are" met a terrible bat atlurlous death. It was yiajor Lsf bery'a Intention to write ten stnrlea of hla adventures, for the aake, na he aid, of capitalising- whntever reputa tion he might have to reuse Interest at home In the air service. He bearaa writing: In April, but the German otTeu alve and the flue wenther made such demnnda en him and the "area" of hla squadron that ha was up, morning- and afternoon, nearly every day, flahtlng ou moat dnya, brlna-lna; down Iwa or threu Gtrmaaa every week, unrtl hla score hnd renched elabteen. It waa rarely that he could spare more than half aa hour la the evening before tnrnlna In for writlnsr. Ho Luffeery'u The Hazelwoods Have Made It Possible For You to Eat All the Candies You Want! You've a natural desire for candy. Everyone has. At the same time you want to save sugar. The Haselwoods are making candies that are sugarless and almost sugarless and - THEY RE AS GOOD AND BETTER THAN SUGAR KINDS OF OLDEN DAYS It is remarkable the way Hazelwood candy-makers have gone about making candies up to the Hazelwood standard with very, very much less sugar than was used last year. Try a box of our Conservation Candies. Youll agree they're Immense! For beaches and cantonments, we've a special decorated tin box of almost sugarless candies at $1.25 and $2.00, for parcel posting. 127 Broadway 388 Washington vru story of hla victories will never be told i but he) haa left aa a legacy the simple, unpretentious tale of hla love for tha air nad for Kraaca that led him before tho war Into weird adventures in atrnnare lands. una brought him on the flrst or Anacust. 11-. nmongr the crowd of foretsnera 1'arla clamoring- to tight for "Ju.rtce and liberty- "feeling- rather but aeriouu about It aa well. foolish. An Insect of the Hercules variety, weighing three ounces, was able to support on Its back n brick weighing more than a pound. A human being, if subjected to a proportionate weight, would he crushed. l TM T5 It's Fine You'll Say So t - Ui (.'.. r v . ' '. ' S'v ' Better Beverage Have a Case Sent HomeYou'll Want LUXO on Hand Always By the case from your grocer. By the bottle or glass wherever quality beverages are sold. A Product of the -3 ".-V : J m - , HENRY WEINHARD PLANT Liquid or Tablet Form Only a few days previous the pilot had off square. Just back of the pilot's eeat