Nabbed!: The 1925 Journal of G. Codd Fitzmorgan Read Online Free
Author: Bill Doyle
oceans of some strange-smelling punch. Towering over these tables were several
sculptures carved from huge blocks of ice.
I walked over to look more closely at one of the ice sculptures. It was Judge! She was smiling and holding hands with her
fiancé, John Hatherford. The artist had carved john in his pilot's uniform, leather fur-lined jacket, cap, and goggles.
I was struck by a familiar feeling of surprise. John is great. But I always thought Judge would end up with someone who enjoyed
detective work—or encouraged her dreams of becoming a lawyer.
Even in melting ice, john was a handsome man with a mischievous, lopsided grin—the kind all the girls fall for. (I admit after
I met him for the first time last year, I practiced that smile in the mirror. But I could never seem to get it quite right.)
The next ice sculpture showed the other love of John's life: JENNY.
JENNY was John's second single-engine plane. Eight months ago, his first airplane had burst into flames for no clear reason
over the North Carolina coast. He'd jumped out of the plane without a parachute and landed safely in the water. This earned
him the nickname Jumpin' john.
JENNY, John's plane
John flew JENNY on trips for Hatherford Air Courier, Inc., the company that Judge ran. But picking up and dropping off packages
wasn't enough. Jumpin' John was looking for new challenges. Dangerous challenges.
In fact, right now, John was soaring high over the Atlantic Ocean. About thirty hours ago, he had taken off from a field in
France. He was due to arrive at the party by landing his plane on the small airstrip at the side of the house–becoming the
first person ever to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic!
AIRPLANE NEWS & GLOBAL REPORT
Competition for the Orteig Prize is hitting new heights! Several pilots have been killed or injured trying to win the prize,
$25,000 offered by hotel owner Raymond Orteig to the first person who can fly nonstop between New York and Paris.
I was about to dig into another piece of cake when the jazz hand stopped playing. All eyes in the room turned to watch as
Mr. Hiram Hatherford, like he could have played football when he was younger. His face had grown a little wrinkled, but his
chest was like a barrel and his neck was thicker than my thigh.
“Good evening, everyone!” Mr. Hatherford boomed.
“Are you having fun?”
The guests shouted their appreciation. Mr. Hatherford waited for all the cheers to die down. “During my long life”, he told
the crowd, “I have amassed great wealth. But nothing can compare to the treasure about to enter my family. The beautiful Justine
Pinkerton and my son will soon be married!” After a burst of applause, Mr. Hatherford continued, “who knew four years ago
that when I asked this brilliant woman to start and run our new air delivery service, I was ‘hiring’ a daughter-in-law? She
has done amazing things with the business–
“ Cutting in, Mr.Kartier said, “A lady should know her place!” There was general laughter from the guests.
“Hey, Frank,” Mr. Hatherford told him, “join us in the'20s. Women can run businesses. Thank goodness, too. With Justine running
the business, John can keep his head in the clouds. He flies delivers all across the country. And he has a very special delivery
to make tonight”.
He paused and a woman in the crowd shouted, “What's he bringing us, Hiram?”
Mr. Hatherford laughed. “He's delivering his heart to Justine Pinkerton, by way of Europe”. A mixture of sighs, groans, and
cheers broke out. Mr. Hatherford went on, “As a special engagement present to Justine, John is going to be the first person
to make a nonstop solo transtlantic flight toningt!” The Great Hall rang with applause as the guests clapped and cheered.
Mr. Hatherford had to shout above the din to be heard.
“Why don't we get Justine up here to say a few words—“ Mr. Hatherford was interrupted by a woman with dozens of
sculptures carved from huge blocks of ice.
I walked over to look more closely at one of the ice sculptures. It was Judge! She was smiling and holding hands with her
fiancé, John Hatherford. The artist had carved john in his pilot's uniform, leather fur-lined jacket, cap, and goggles.
I was struck by a familiar feeling of surprise. John is great. But I always thought Judge would end up with someone who enjoyed
detective work—or encouraged her dreams of becoming a lawyer.
Even in melting ice, john was a handsome man with a mischievous, lopsided grin—the kind all the girls fall for. (I admit after
I met him for the first time last year, I practiced that smile in the mirror. But I could never seem to get it quite right.)
The next ice sculpture showed the other love of John's life: JENNY.
JENNY was John's second single-engine plane. Eight months ago, his first airplane had burst into flames for no clear reason
over the North Carolina coast. He'd jumped out of the plane without a parachute and landed safely in the water. This earned
him the nickname Jumpin' john.
JENNY, John's plane
John flew JENNY on trips for Hatherford Air Courier, Inc., the company that Judge ran. But picking up and dropping off packages
wasn't enough. Jumpin' John was looking for new challenges. Dangerous challenges.
In fact, right now, John was soaring high over the Atlantic Ocean. About thirty hours ago, he had taken off from a field in
France. He was due to arrive at the party by landing his plane on the small airstrip at the side of the house–becoming the
first person ever to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic!
AIRPLANE NEWS & GLOBAL REPORT
Competition for the Orteig Prize is hitting new heights! Several pilots have been killed or injured trying to win the prize,
$25,000 offered by hotel owner Raymond Orteig to the first person who can fly nonstop between New York and Paris.
I was about to dig into another piece of cake when the jazz hand stopped playing. All eyes in the room turned to watch as
Mr. Hiram Hatherford, like he could have played football when he was younger. His face had grown a little wrinkled, but his
chest was like a barrel and his neck was thicker than my thigh.
“Good evening, everyone!” Mr. Hatherford boomed.
“Are you having fun?”
The guests shouted their appreciation. Mr. Hatherford waited for all the cheers to die down. “During my long life”, he told
the crowd, “I have amassed great wealth. But nothing can compare to the treasure about to enter my family. The beautiful Justine
Pinkerton and my son will soon be married!” After a burst of applause, Mr. Hatherford continued, “who knew four years ago
that when I asked this brilliant woman to start and run our new air delivery service, I was ‘hiring’ a daughter-in-law? She
has done amazing things with the business–
“ Cutting in, Mr.Kartier said, “A lady should know her place!” There was general laughter from the guests.
“Hey, Frank,” Mr. Hatherford told him, “join us in the'20s. Women can run businesses. Thank goodness, too. With Justine running
the business, John can keep his head in the clouds. He flies delivers all across the country. And he has a very special delivery
to make tonight”.
He paused and a woman in the crowd shouted, “What's he bringing us, Hiram?”
Mr. Hatherford laughed. “He's delivering his heart to Justine Pinkerton, by way of Europe”. A mixture of sighs, groans, and
cheers broke out. Mr. Hatherford went on, “As a special engagement present to Justine, John is going to be the first person
to make a nonstop solo transtlantic flight toningt!” The Great Hall rang with applause as the guests clapped and cheered.
Mr. Hatherford had to shout above the din to be heard.
“Why don't we get Justine up here to say a few words—“ Mr. Hatherford was interrupted by a woman with dozens of
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