The Afro-American advance., 1899-10-28

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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.
II am dreadfully nervous said Mrs.
Dobley, backing off from the machine,
which had begun to vibrate and sput-
ter. ''Tha IS what wanted to tell"
Get in quickly or the blanked thing'n
start" said Dobley, hustling his wife
in and falling in after her just as the
carriage roared and started forward
with u snort.
"Oh!" cried Mrs. Dobley. seizing her
husbands arm, "let me get out; it will
tip, sure. Don't go so FAST!
''Sit perfectly still. Mrs. Dobley. and
let go my arm L want 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
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 zigzag
fashion down the street.
at seems to be waltzing," said Mrs.
Dobley. Look out for this funeral
coming up. It's unlucky to meet fu-
neral. l know we'll be killed"
Nonsense, Mrs. Dobley." said Dob
ley, tugging violently at the brake. II
understand this thing, remember.
am not going to do any stunts to show
off. like a nice. steady gait"
''Then. for gracious sake, why don't
you get into ito" said Mrs. Dobley,
catching her breath as the vehicle just
escaped one of the funeral coaches.
~ will slow up presently" said Dob
ley, who was out of breath himself
this brake in my hand. 1t always acts
this way when it meets anything on the
road. Gets kind of ballIy."
~ should say-it-does," said Mrs.
Dobley, holding on with both hands.
I'm scared to death. Now it's wab-
bling like rocking horse. Oh-h-h!" ="
The automobile. after few internal
commissions, suddenly reared and
shifted, then plunged around corner,
upsetting an Italian fruit stand and
nearly killing a street sweeper, who
shouted unpleasant things after the
speeding wagon.
"You1l run into something, sure, !"
said Mrs. Dobley. why did you turn
into this street, anyhow? It's so crowd
ed that it's dangerous!"
''It 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 sa-
loon.
"What on earth are you stopping here
for, John Dobley? / never heard of
such a thing!"
ITS acting a little queer to-day; it's
never stopped here before, / assure
you!"
"Well, start it quick and get away.
There is n crowd gathering"
Its got to stop 20 minutes" said
Dobley, looking at his watch. "You
see, j had it set that way to avoid trou-
Dlts II , GdsltE W
The automobile rumbled and then
ierked itself forward for a block with
out leaving the gutter. A crowd of
small boys followed it, jeering at Mr..
Dobley. He grew red in the face and
tugged at the handle bar. Two police
men came over and pushed the carriage
until il 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 we'll have more room"
"AlI 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
ley, almost sobbing, as the carriage
knocked down an old gentleman and
sent him spinning like a top against
soda water sign. "It's dreadful! Why
don't you stop and help that poor old
gentleman"
"I - really - haven't - time" said
Dobley, in jerky way, as the automo-
bile began 70 prance and curvet in front
of brewery wagon which accomodat-
ingly got out of the way, the driver
laughing rudely at Dobley.
AT the corner the carriage gave two
desperate lurches as though IL con-
templated turning and then changed its
mind. 1t continued on up the avenue.
IL thought you were going TO turn
down TO the drive" said Mrs. Dobley.
"You said you would"
"I know il! ! know II! Can't a man
change his mind once in awhile? It's
going to--going to-"
~ don't think you know what it's GO
ing TO do" said Mrs. Dobley. 'It's go
ing to run away just now. OH Obi"
The carriage started forward at des-
perate rate of speed. Every vehicle
on the avenue began to pull up and get
out of the way. as II the automobile
was an engine going TO a fire.
II -this-is-sportl" jerked
Dobley. while his hat few of in the
rear. Neutrality-suspicious."
"Wait and get your hat" said Mrs.
Dobley. There is boy running after
US with it."
"0h, never mind" said Dobley. "It's
the thing nowadays - to-1riye-
without a hat"
The machine hitched violently back
ward: then rose on its front wheels and