Across the Milky Way, or, Frank Reade, Jr.'s great astronomical trip with his air-ship "The Shooting Star"

Across the Milky Way, or, Frank Reade, Jr.'s great astronomical trip with his air-ship "The Shooting Star"

Inventors -- Fiction.

Dime novel.

Science fiction.

Text of Across the Milky Way, or, Frank Reade, Jr.'s great astronomical trip with his air-ship "The Shooting Star"

Senarens, Luis 1863-1939

New York : Frank Tousey, 1896.

December 10, 1897

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English

text

Principal Characters of this Story:
Professor Dunderberry Dean – of the National School of Sciences who “has spent two-thirds of his time at the mirror of the society’s huge telescope, trying to compute the orbit of a newly-discovered comet”
Frank Reade Jr. – Famous inventor who perfected the submarine boat and the electric horse.
Barney O’Shea – Is Frank Reade Jr.’s Irish companion who is also known as an up and coming genius.
Pomp – is referred to as Frank’s Negro companion and is the mechanic among Frank’s inventions.
Rinaldo Ray – A claimed classmate of Professor Dunderberry and a crank scientist of theology
SETTING:
The setting begins with the professor who overhears of Frank Reade Jr.’s adventure in the skies. They begin the story in Readestown when the professor meets with the young inventor before they depart in “The Shooting Star”. They ascend into the atmosphere and the bulk of the story is taken in space. They eventually come back to Earth and land in Arizona.

PLOT SUMMARY:
Professor Dunderberry Dean is observing a comets orbit and reads in the news of the young inventor, Frank Reade Jr.’s air-ship and his adventures. The professor contacts the young inventor and inquires of an adventure into space to allow the professor a better view of the comet in the name of science. The morning before the departure a man by the name of Rinaldo Ray barges into Frank’s private office for a request of his own. He claims in the name of science to allow him to board “The Shooting Star” into space for spiritual reasons (so he can communicate and validate the existence of paradise in the heavens, where spirits come to rest).
Frank Reade Jr. does not allow Ray to come on board and Pomp, Barney, Frank and the Professor take off into space. After they’ve observed the comet’s orbit they notice Ray has been on board as a stowaway. Realizing they are drifting away from Earth with no means to get home Ray becomes severely manic and sick. After a few days, Ray decides to join the spirit world and walks out onto the deck of the air-ship in the middle of space.
Losing Ray they quickly accommodate and use the young inventor’s new invention for space propulsion. As they approach Earth Frank expands the air-ships wings and they fly into the Arizona Apache mountains. They are unwelcomed by the natives and are forced to escape, leaving the “Star” behind. The crew reaches salvation upon encountering the United States Calvary. Not wishing to re-live that adventure, though enjoying the experience, they all travel home.

THEMES:
The main theme is adventure among the stars with innovative technologies. The dime novel depicts race with Pomp and Barney throughout the novel, claiming Pomp as a coon and Barney the Celt. They also refer to the natives (American Indians) in Arizona as savages.(“NONAME”)