The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-10-21

o t intend to have Mrs. Van Ripper
get ahead of me-"
That afternoon Dobley came up &c
the door with Il dash in his red-wheeled
automobile. and after i convulsive start
it settled at the curb. Mrs. Dobley
beckoned to her husband from the up
per window.
Il can't leave the carriage" he said.
calling up from the street.
Can't you hitch it up?'sshe asked.
Won't it stand quiet?"
"My dear. this isn't a lady's horse
said Dobley. ~nervously. looking at his
watch. ITS only regulated to stand
for 20 minutes. They've set it at the
stable. So hurry down. 1t might start
without u.s.
When Mrs. Dobley came out there was
an admiring crowd around the machine
and all the windows in the block had a
group of eager faces.
Il am dreadfully nervous" said Mrs,
Dobley. backing off from the machine.
which had begun to vibrate and sput,
ter. That's what | wanted totell-"
Get in quickly or the BANKED thing'll
start" said i)obley. hustling his wife
in and falling in after her just as the
carriage roared and started forward
with Il snort.
oh" cried Mrs. Do5ley, selling her
husbands arm. LET me get out; it will
tip, sure. Don't 90 so fast"
sit perfectly still. Mrs. Dobley. and
let go my arm. want a free hand for
this operating brake. But don't over
balance this side in that way. You have
to be careful with these things as with
a rowboat. One move too much one
way"
just then the machine lurched up
toward a lamp post and then seemed to
change its mind and rush in a zigzag
fashion down the street.
1T seems to be waltzing," said Mrs.
Dobley. Look out for this funeral
coming up. It's unlucky to meet a flu
neral. | know wen be killed"
Nonsense. Mrs. Dobley." said Dob
ley. Juggling violently at the brake. Il
understand this thing. remember. l
nm o going to do any stunts to show
off. I like a nice. steady gait"
Then. for gracious sake. why don't
you get into it," said Mrs. DobIey.
catching her breath as the vehicle just
escaped one Of the funeral coaches.
Il will slow up presently" said Dob
ley. WHO was out of breath himself.
Don't make me nervous while I have
'his brake in my hand. 1t always acts
this.way wnen it meets anything on the
road. Gets kind of baiky."
Il should say-it-does," said Mrs.
Dobley. holding on with both hands.
I'm scared to death. Now it's wab-
bling like 4 rocking horse. Oh-h-h!"
The automobile. after a few internal
commissions. suddenly reared and
shifted, then plunged around a corner.
upsetting an Italian fruit stand ana
nearly killing Il street sweeper, who
shouted unpleasant things after the
speeding wagon.
You'll run into something, sure"
said Mrs. Dobley. why did you turn
into this street. anyhow? It's so crowd
ed that it's dangerous"
IL seemed to turn itself then" said
Dobley. wiping off his brow with his
gloved hand. Wait till we get out in
the open country. Then you'll see how
delight"
Suddenly the automobile swerved in
to the gutter and stopped before Il sd
loon.
What on earth are you stopping here
for. John Doblcy? | never heard of
such a thing"
It's acting Il little queer to-day: its
never stopped here before. | assure
Well. Start it quick and get away.
is a crowd gathering"
It's got to stop 20 minutes" said
Dobley. looking at his watch. You
see. | had it set that way to avoid trou-
BILE. It's easier to nan"
The automobile rumbled and then
itself forward for a block with
leaving the gutter. \ crowd of
small boys followed it. .jeering at Mr..
He grew red in the face and
tugged at the handle bar. Two police
men came over and pushed the carriage
until it was headed for the middle of
the street. 1t began to move easier.
Suppose you turn up the next cor
ner and get into the drive said Mrs.
Dobley: then wen have more ROOM"
All right" said Dobley. hoarsely.
grabbing at his hat. which fell over the
side of the carriage. Just You sit still
and enjoy YOURSELF
IF | ever get home alive I'll not come
out in this thing again" said Mrs. Dob
almost sobbing. as the carriage
shocked down an Old gentleman and
cent him spinning like a top agains;
l soda water sign. ITS dreadful! Why
YOU stop and help that poor old
gentleman"
"I-really haven't time" said
Dobley. in a icrky way. as the automo-
bile began to prance and curret in front
a brewery wagon which accomodat-
got out of the way. the driver
aughing rudely AT Dobley.
At the corner the carriage gave two
desperate lurches as though it con-
emplated turning and then changed its
mind. 1t continued on up the avenue.
Il thought you were going to turn
- IL, r,. - e,II \frS nnh1DN /