American Girl (Ohio)(Lea Sheryn) Ohio
Daisy Higgins rode her bicycle to school daily despite her Grandmother's objections. The stately old lady didn't believe girls should straddle a contraption on two wheels. It was undignified. Daisy didn't care about dignity. All her friends rode bicycles. Why shouldn't she? In fact, Dayton, Ohio, was filled with cyclists.
Daisy owned the new VanCleave she bought at the Wright Bros. Cycle Company. It took her months to save up enough money to buy it. After school, she darned socks and pressed dresses at the local laundry. It was grueling work but well worth the effort. She quit her job as soon as she could afford her new bike. After all, she was only sixteen and wanted to enjoy her life with her friends.
Following her mother and father's death from consumption, Daisy went to live with her Grandmother. The old lady was much stricter than her parents. She wanted to instill in her granddaughter the correct etiquette to gain a successful marriage. Daisy didn't care much about etiquette or marriage. She wanted to have fun and enjoy her young life.
The VanCleave bicycle provided her with a certain amount of freedom. Instead of walking everywhere, she could ride with ease. It thrilled her to pump the pedals and, gaining speed, coast along the road. On Sunday afternoons, Daisy met her friends and rode to the park. They usually took a picnic lunch and lazed on the cool green grass. It was another activity the old Grandmother disdained.
"We're at the turn of the century, Grandmama," Daisy exclaimed after hearing another lecture. "It's time to change, to say goodbye to the old ways and embrace the new."
"Change," the elderly woman scoffed, "who asked for change?"
"Everyone." Daisy spread her arms out to include the whole world. "It's a new era. Hank Cliff's father bought a motorcar last week. And the Wright Bros. are working on some contraption in their bike shop. Hank says they are going to fly it into the clouds."
"Let's not verge on the ridiculous, child," Grandmama jeered. Her frown deepened her facial wrinkles. "If God intended us to fly, He would have given us wings."
"Perhaps He gave the Wright Brothers the ability to give us wings," Daisy pertly responded.
The Grandmother snorted and focused on her knitting. She believed in constant industry and kept herself busy with small tasks throughout the day. It irked her that Daisy flitted away her time on her friends and riding her confounded bicycle. As much as she tried to keep her granddaughter occupied, the girl always managed to slip away.
"What happened to that job at the laundry?" Grandmama asked, abruptly changing the subject.
"I got what I wanted." Daisy shrugged nonchalantly.
"Are you going to work only to get what you want, child?"
"Maybe." Another shrugged. "Maybe I'll run away to San Fransisco and become a telegrapher."
"Maybe you'll stay here in Ohio and marry like a descent girl," the disgruntled Grandmother continued. "I won't have you traipsing the country with the rest of those so-called Bachelor Girls."
Daisy stared speechlessly at her Grandmother. Her mind whirled with a thousand snide remarks, but she knew better than to voice them. Instead, she spun on her heel and raced from the parlor.
"Daisy, Daisy," Ida called from the street. Ida Clemons sat astride her own VanCleave bicycle.
Daisy pushed her bike out to meet her friend. Together, they rode along the street past Cliff's house. Hank came out to join them. The trio continued toward downtown and stopped at the ice cream parlor. They joined the rest of their gang inside, occupying several round tables.
Laughter filled the small restaurant. It was the local hangout for all the young people. Daisy dipped her spoon into her sundae. She felt more comfortable with her friends than her Grandmother. Daisy and Ida vied for Hank's attention. She hoped he would ask her to walk with him on Saturday afternoon. They could go to the bandstand and listen to the local barbershop quartet. It was pleasant in the park.
At home, her Grandmother expected her to read the Bible aloud and meditate. Sunday was a solemn day. Following the church service, the old woman sat quietly in the parlor. She read the scriptures and prayed. Daisy couldn't tolerate the inactivity. After the noon meal, she slipped out and rode to the park. She would rather walk with Hank and feel his arm around her waist. Looking up from her ice cream, she invited him with her eyes. Hank ignored her, instead turning toward Ida. Daisy knew she had missed her opportunity when he leaned toward her and whispered into her ear. Her companions had a Saturday date.
Daisy wondered how she could get Hank's attention for herself. She loved her best friend but thought she was much prettier than herself. Ida had curly blonde hair and a cherub's face. Her red lips pouted playfully, and she wore much finer clothes. Daisy's brown hair never stayed in place. Wisps fell out of her chignon and surrounded her round face. She thought her nose was too bulbous and her mouth too large. The young men always paid more attention to Ida than to her. Daisy wasn't envious of Ida. She only wished that she were just as pretty.
"Will you come walking with us on Saturday?" Hank asked suddenly.
Daisy looked up to find that Ida had moved her chair closer to Hank. They sat side-by-side with their shoulders practically touching. Daisy cast her eyes downward, concentrating on her sundae. She wanted to say yes but hesitated.
"No, thank you," she forced herself to say. "I…I have someplace else to go." She lied glibly. "Grandmother and I are going to visit her cousin in Vandalia."
"Funny, you never mentioned a cousin in Vandalia," Ida stated, trying to catch Daisy's eye.
"My grandmother's cousin," Daisy snapped abruptly.
"Okay, okay," Ida demurred. "It's just that you never mentioned your grandmother had a cousin there."
"Well, she does." Daisy gulped, realizing she had trapped herself into a day at home with her Grandmother. "We're leaving early in the morning."
"Have a nice trip," Hank encouraged, ending the subject.
Daisy lost interest in her ice cream. Stirring the spoon, she softened the concoction into vanilla mud. Finally, she stood and excused herself. Rushing outside, she mounted her bicycle and rode away rapidly. After about a block, her skirt became entangled in the chain. Halting, she dismounted and pulled on the fabric. It tore, leaving a large chunk in the black chain. Tears sprang to her eyes.
Squatting in the road, Daisy worked the torn fabric out of the bicycle chain. Her soft cambric skirt was torn and speared with grease. As she worked the remnant loose, the chain slipped off the gears. She tried to work it back on but only succeeded in dirtying herself further. Large black smears appeared on her face and in the hair she had to continuously push back into place. Finally, she resigned herself to pushing her bike home.
Tears poured down her cheeks, further smearing her face. The walk seemed longer than usual and more of an uphill battle. Her Grandmother would not feel pity over her accident. Daisy would have to listen to another tirade again, bicycle riding. The harder she pushed, the more she lost control of her emotions.
"What happened?" Hank asked, braking his bike beside her.
"Nothing," Daisy muttered, walking faster. She didn't want her friend to see her disheveled appearance.
"The chain's off your bike," he stated helpfully.
"Thank you for your observation," Daisy cut him sharply, "as if I hadn't noticed."
"Did you try putting it back on?"
"What do you think?" she snapped, facing him.
Hank sucked in his breath when he noticed her streaked face and unruly hair.
"All right, all right. Don't get snippy," he stated, taking a step backward. For a moment, it looked as though she might hit him. "We'll take it to the Wright Brothers. They'll fix it for you, good as new."
Hank dismounted his own bike and began pushing Daisy VanCleave. The bicycle shop was only a few blocks away. Daisy followed him, bringing his bike with her. When they entered, the shop was empty. The couple waited a few minutes, but no one appeared.
"Hello," Hank called, raising his voice. When no one responded, he strolled toward the storeroom door. Peeking inside, his eyes widened. He quickly waved to Daisy to join him.
The Wright Brothers stood over a large contraption of many pieces. Two large wings leaned against the wall along with propellers, an engine, and an elevator. Hank sucked in his breath and said 'wow' inadvertently.
"Can we help you?" Orville asked, looking up from his task.
"I…I…I…" Hank stuttered, dumbfounded.
"The chain has fallen from my bicycle," Daisy said, stepping into the storeroom. Can you fix it?"
"Certainly," Orville answered, wiping his hands and stepping into the shop. He swiftly replaced the chain and rotated the pedals. "Good as new."
"Thank you, Mr. Wright," Daisy answered, opening her small purse. "How much do I owe you?"
"Nothing for today. It was a simple adjustment." Orville smiled brightly. "Although we may have to pay you to take your friend away."
Hank remained rooted to his spot, staring at the unfinished flying machine. He had so many questions he didn't know where to begin.
"We're all curious about your invention," Daisy stated, striding toward Hank. She, too, wanted to know more. Would you mind showing it to us?"
"Well, I can't see why not," Orville Wright chuckled, leading the way into the storeroom. "We have company, Wilbur."
Throughout the afternoon, the brothers explained the bi-plane design and the catapult rail system they planned to use to launch their flying machine. Daisy and Hank asked multiple questions and observed the techniques of the rudder and engine design. Within a few weeks, Orville and Wilbur planned to transport their invention to North Carolina's outer banks to test their theories.
"We're headed to a place called Kitty Hawk where we will assemble and test the Wright Flyer," Wilbur explained. "We tested our gliders there previously and found it an ideal location for our experimentations."
"We wish you luck, Mr. Wright," Daisy stated, extending her hand. "We've already taken up enough of your time, haven't we, Hank?" Weaving her hand through her companion's elbow, she led him away.
"Huh, what?" Hank asked, his eyes fixed firmly on the dissembled aircraft. "Oh, yes, thank you for the tour and explanation." He smiled brightly and shook the brothers' hands. "We're much obliged."
Outside the shop, Daisy and Hank straddled their bicycles. The afternoon had, indeed, proved beneficial. They would have plenty to talk about when meeting their friends. The young couple exchanged notes on their observations as they pedaled homeward. Daisy was still filled with awe when she entered her Grandmother's parlor.
"Gracious heavens, what happened to you?" the old woman exclaimed, jumping from her chair.
"The most wonderful thing, Grandmother," Daisy exclaimed, a grin crossing her grease-smeared face. The Wright Brothers showed us their aeroplane. They're going to fly it soon, and I just know they are going to succeed."
"Poppycock," the old woman stated gruffly. "Have you no shame? Look at you. You're smeared from head to foot with grease, and you prattled on about nonsense. You'll never catch a husband parading around town like a ragamuffin."
"I don't want a husband," Daisy exclaimed hotly. "Wonderful things are happening all around us, and I want to be a part of them before settling down."
"You're wasting your life," the elderly woman grumbled. "It's time to think of your future and marriage. Don't let life pass you by."
"It won't, Grandmother, I assure you," Daisy countered, her hands on her hips. "I'm going to take a course in telegraphy, and I'm going to San Fransisco whether you like it or not. There's nothing wrong with becoming a Bachelor Girl. And…and I'm going to raise my skirt length. I'm tired of dragging my hem in the muck and getting it tangled in bicycle chains. I'm going to live!"
The old Grandmother collapsed into her chair, holding her hands against her heart. It was an old ploy to gain sympathy. Daisy stood above her.
"You can't hold back time or progress, Grandmama," Daisy said coolly. We're living in a great time. Hank and I talked to the Wright Brothers at great length this afternoon. I believe what they are doing will benefit a lot of people. They're going to fly their aeroplane, and I'm going to live my own life."
"All right, child," the older woman consented. "You'll do as you please regardless. I'll concede and let you take your telegraphy lessons. I disapprove, but I won't stop you."
"I love you, Grandmama," Daisy stated, kissing her elder's cheek. "I don't say it often enough, but I appreciate all you've done for me since Mama and Papa's death."
"I love you too, child," the Grandmother exclaimed, smiling. "I don't want to lose you, but, at some point, I've always known I had to let you go. As for the Wright Brothers, I still say poppycock. God would have given us wings if He wanted us to fly."

******

On December 18, 1903, Daisy Higgins ran home to her Grandmother, flourishing the Dayton Evening Herald. The headline read: Dayton Boys Fly Airship.
"They did it, Grandmama!" Daisy exclaimed, holding out the newspaper. "The Wright Brothers flew their aero plane."
The door crashed open, emitting Hank Cliff. He held up a newspaper also. A huge grin spread across his face.
"They did it, Daisy," her friend shouted, his eyes shifting to the Higgin's copy of the Dayton Evening Herald. "Oh, I see you already know."
"Isn't it marvelous, Hank?" Daisy asked, her face beaming with joy. "Weren't we lucky to see their flying machine up close? I feel like, in a small way, we are part of history."
"Yes, I suppose we are," Hank happily consented. "Say, Daisy, would you like to go walking with me on Saturday afternoon?"
"Can we ride bikes instead?" she countered quickly.
"Of course, anything you would like," Hank consented. Leaning forward, he kissed Daisy's cheek.
The Grandmother smiled at the blossoming romance. She hoped it would become a happy marriage for her granddaughter…and keep her in Dayton, Ohio.

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