"Now that's got a big, round, iron wheel on it, and we can take that
off, just as well as not, and use it on the airship. That's what
you've got to do in this world--save money. I've spent a terrible
pile, but we'll save some by using the sewing machine wheel."
"It won't do," said the lieutenant. "It's far too heavy. I must
have one made to order of wood. It will cost ten dollars."
"Oh, dear!" groaned Uncle Ezra. "More money," and he looked
distressed. Then his face brightened.
"I say!" he cried. "There's a busted mowing machine out in the
barn. That's got a wooden wheel on it. Can't you use that?"
Lieutenant Larson shook his bead.
"It's no use trying to use make-shift wheels if we are to have a
perfect machine, and win the prize," he said. "I must have the
proper one. I need ten dollars."
"Oh, dear!" moaned Uncle Ezra, as he took out his wallet, and
carefully counted out ten one-dollar bills.
"Couldn't you look around and get a second-hand one?" he asked
hopefully.
"No; we haven't time. We must soon start on the prize trip. We
don't want to be late."
"No, I s'pose not. Wa'al, take the money," and he parted with it,
after a long look. Then he made a memoranda of it in his pocket
cash-book, and sighed again.
Several times after this Lieutenant Larson had to have more money
--or, at least, he said he needed it, and Uncle Ezra brought it
forth with many sighs and groans. But he "gave up."
To give Larson credit, he had really produced a good aircraft.
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