The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-07-14
100 YEAR
OLD WOMAN
IN AUTO.
Judge Took Aged Mary Shepard
for Har First Ride In
Motor Gar.

Poughkeepsie, July H.-Mary Shcpdru
who will be one hundred and three years
old next Christmas, sat on the front
steps OF her little home at No. l6 Davis
street. this city. talking with a neighbor
the other day. when Mr.. Tower, the
wealthy iron-master whizzed by In his
automobile.
What a queer thing that do be-run-
ming away without horses" exclaimed
Mrs. Shepard. "I wonder If woman as
old as myself ever rode in one OF those
things! Faith they'd not get me In one
of them; not IL my name Is Mary Shepard
and know IT is
Chief OF Police McCabe heard OF the re-
mark. and told City Judge Morschauser'
Good" exclaimed the Judge, well
give the old lady a ride"
The Judges friend. Herman Won der
Linden, owns an auto-car, and the other
afternoon they drew up In front or Mrs.
Shepard's house, where the remarkaDle
old woman, no less bright and active
than the average woman OF seventy, sat
on the steps surveying the bare yard
which had been a well-kept garden be-
fore she became too feeble to keep 1t with
her own hands.
Mrs Shepard looked up In surprise at
she curious wagon. but shook hands
heartily with the Judge when he introduc-
ed himself
At first she would not accept the invi-
tation to ride and, standing at a safe
distance, looked at the machine with sus-
picion Then she was induced TO go near
er and put her hand on the upholstered
leather seats. and after Mr.. Won der
7 la k,l gta cd an Gfnnnad and
backed up and turned around few
times TO show how easily the thing could
be handled. Mrs. Shepards confidence
was won, and she consented TO go. say
ing as she went into the house TO take
off her apron and don her shawl and bon
net;
THE "HELLoPHoNE."
II suppose when a woman gets TO be a
hundred she has nothing at all to say
about herself but must do as everybody
tells her That's the way they do with
me. First it's oh. Mrs. Shepard you
must talk through the hellophone. and l
put my mouth TO n box on the wall and
they hold a thing like a big spool to my
ear and somebody seems TO be whisperin'
Is that you Mrs. Shepard? and ] an
swer, 1T is. where are you now?' and he
says, I'm In New York. would you be-
lieve it?' and that's the way Charley Nc
Idoe ana tne rest OF tHe Doys play uiSha
upon me-"
Whatever fear she may have had at the
start was entirely gone when the power
was turned on and the auto car started.
with all the neighbors in their doorways
waving their hands and handkerchiefs at
the centenarian.
Mrs Shepard sat on one OF the back
seats beside Judge Morschauser. who
kept hold OF her for fear that jolt Of
the machine would throw her of.
Let go OF me-" commanded Mrs. Shep-
ard. 'I'll not fall. Sure. a woman who
has travelled In as many jaunting cars as
| did In dear old Ireland Is not going to
be spilled by the likes OF this wagon.
This motion makes me feel as IL I was
a girl again back In dear old County Kill
kenny, riding TO the fair or 10 n christ
ening with John Shepard by my side.
Poor John. He'sF been dead these fifty
years, and just TO think-here am l n
woman who'll never see a hundred again
cavorting around as II l was sweet six
teenl"
In that vein she chatted on like n
schoolgirl, enjoying the sensation OF The
swiftly moving machine and comment
ing upon the beautiful scenery on the AL
bany post road.
when are you coming to take me out
AGAIN." she asked. as Judge Morschauser
helped her out OF the automibile In front
OF her house
Whenever you care to go. Mrs. Shep-
ard. he replied
We'll. let IL be soon. II you please, for
] never enjoyed anything more In my
life"