Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-10-17
Theodora's
HorSefeSS (arriage.
BY H. E. Rood.
Copyright, 1900, bv II. E. Rood.


n m OST of the neighbors say they
V are unable to understand why
Theodore purchased horse
less carriage in the first place. But Of
course ones neighbors are not suppos-
ed to know all Of ones domestic at
fairs, although / am free to confess
that in rural community such as that
wherein we reside there is very, very
little to escape the neighbors' knowl-
edge. However, that is neither here
horseless carriage Is because a
granduncle of Theo's died and was
considerate enough to bequeath unto
her the sum of 81 400. If the old gen
tleman had left her $1,000 or $1,000,
l have no doubt but that the money
would now be drawing per cent on
mortgage. But Theodore saw an ad-
vertisement of horsaless carriage
costing S1,4O0, delivered free, and she
decided at once to invest in it.
Just think" she exclaimed. Now
we won't have to worry and bother
ourselves about safe investment for
dear Uncle Johns money. If we let it
remain in bank, the cashier is sure to
run away, and If we put 1t in real ess
tate am certain the mortgage will be
burned up. Besides, the highest inter-
est we could reasonably expect, you
say, would only amount to $40 year,
and l know we will get more than $40
worth of enjoyment out Of it riding
around our own lovely mountain roads,
and the fresh air will do us and the
children lots of good"
"But, my DEAR" responded, 1--WE get
all the fresh air we need now. We go
driving every day with Don and the
surrey
Don't" she cried scornfully. "Why,
do you know that poor old horse was a
wedding present? And we have been
married 10 years? And he was years
old then"
Eyes, you're right, but he seems to be
pretty good horse yet"
"Good for use on small farm" re-
sponded Theodore. II am afraid to
trust him going down hill, he's SO old
and feeble; and feel morally certain
he can never pull us to the top every
time we start up mountain"
said nothing further. The money
was Theodora's, and she had right to
do with it as she desired. Besides, IN
my inmost heart did cherish lmagina.
ry dreams of sailing over the roads, up
hill and down dale, in an automobile;
passing the slow going horses of ac'
quaintances who had been in the habit
of jeering somewhat at old Don. But
confess that it hurt me when we sold
the faithful animal to q farmer named
| Wortsel, especially as had determined
not to let him go for less than $50, and
the farmer finally led him away in tri'
umph after paying just $47.S5.
The horseless carriage arrived the fol
lowing week, accompanied by a young
and active man sent on by the manu-
facturers to explain the working Of the
machinery. At Theodora's request
went to the station and saw her pur
chase unloaded from a platform car
Then the young agent inspected the
motor casually, announced that 1t was
all right and invited me to step into the
vehicle, and l did SO, sitting beside
| him, and he pulled lever which start
ed the wheels. We went slowly at first
until we reached the broad, main stree
Of the village, and then he gradually
"let FER out" as he expressed 1t, and we
were whirling over the ground like al
l ~.