The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-11-19
LETTING OUT A LINK OR TWO.

The new red devil of Mr.. Stuart W..
Cramer dropped from the Chadwick Mill
to Stew ait Fond at he rate OF fifty-two
miles an hour. Lu.i the r de the sill
ence was not broken by the six occu-
pants of the machine. Their unpro. ected
ey es wept; but even with blu red vision
they could see people boiling for the tall
timber that Ranked the ihoroughfare.
Mr. Cramer, Mr.. Gunner, and others
have been riding diligently in the ma
chine which has never failed 10 attract
admiration from spectators. No child
with a rare toy ever showed more de-
light than Mr. Cramner shows when he is
whirling along in his modern vehicle He
iikes the mechanical features OF the thing,
and he likes high speed.
And my duty lies clearly before me,
and Mr.. Gunner. speaking conide ly.
Mr. Cramer has expert knowledge Of
machinery and is level headed, but he is
not satisfied even with a forty miie-an-
hour pace Before 1 leave here 1 want
to do two things. I want to give Mr..
Cramer some idea of the capacity of his
automobile suggest to him the danger Of
a collision at high speed; and l want to
give this man, Osmond Barringer that L
hear of so often, a chance to crafty his
speed mania l want TO get him out In
this machine and scare the life out Of
him.
Mr.. Gunner selected his party and pre-
pared to give the experience. In the ma
chine were Mr.. Gunner, Mr.. Cramer, Mr..
George Fitzsimons, Mr.. J. a. James, Mr..
Barringer and Mr. Cramer's co.ored
coachman.
Gunner had arranged his itinerary be-
forehand, and kept his machine at an
easy going pace until he turned in from
the Chadwick mill. coming in the direc-
ton of the city.
Then he let the machine drop. The grade
was down nil, but there were some bad
spots. several curves, and a good many
bug2ies and wagons to pass. At times
the red devil was going at a seventy
mile rate; at other times it was slowed TO
a forty-mile gait but the distance of two
miles from the mill to the pond was made
at the average speed of fifty-two miles.
Not even Mr. Gunner was prepared for
the swift going, and all passengers had
to stand the wind with uncovered eyes.
The air swept against their faces wi h
more than hurricane force. Barrir ger
opened his face to speak. Instantly his
cheeks were distended, and he assumeu
the ensemble of toy balloon. He was
so seated that he could ont turn his body
around. and the wind swept into him in
big, dangerous gasps. His body ew
TO bigger proportions; his face grew wider,
and he might have exploded ii some one
had not pulled his head to the side. hus
allowing him to discharge the air with
loud bang.
Two mule teams appeared and stamped
ed. Gunner jerked his machine away,
safe by a nairs breath; grazed tele-
graph pole in his fight; and then thrust
his lever TO capacity point.
Down the macauam lane that lies be-
tween the rows of dying leaves the red
devil shot skimmerng dull, piercing
no:selessly the stiff breeze, dropping e g
eriy down to the creek
At the foot of the hill Gunner stopped.
with a question mark in his eyes. Three
men showed pale faces and sighed lief
The coachman's complexion was or en-
hued, and, moreover, he brea her pain
fully, after the manner of fish that is
tossed upon dry land.
Barringer refused 70 show concern. He
yawned laboriou7ly but he yawnei. He
has machines of his own that jump up
and down. and are made to serve the wise
purpose of putting fear Of death into
struggling country dogs.
Il wonder why you didn't let the ma
chine loose down that hill" said Mr.. Bar
ringer to Mr. Gunner You are entirely
too careful When you get back to town
| want to take you out in my Oldsmobile
and give YOU a little taste of high speed -
The red devil crawled up the hill in dis
gusted silence.-Charlotte Observer