Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1904-08-31
Mr.. PaskiIl Talks on Automobiles.

Slough Buzzer, published IN zap county
stopped over in our fourishing city few
days ago. and left much impressed with
all the sights he saw. One of our leading
citizens, L E. Paskill, who owns all the
right of way on the Northern Pacific
from double cross switch on the west to
Hohnson's Medders on the east. took the
special correspondent for ride on his
new Rambler, and day or two later
this Office received, among other things,
the following, and we, as the purveyor of
all the news that is fit to print, are glad
to publish the interview in full -
From Hanky P. Hunkydory. special
correspondent of the Beef Slough Buzzer.
by special barbed wire; all rights pune.
tured; copyright 1904.
Really, l was much impressed with
Ritzville, it lies so picturesquely,-especi-
ally some OF its inhabitants. Among my
delightful and hair.raising experiences
was ride around the city with Mr.. Pas
kill, the genial general factotum and
ticket puncher of the entire Northern
Pacific system at this point. called at
the depot and got Mr.. Paskills attention
without particle OF annoying delay.
which was quite surprise to me. as |
supposed right along that would be
compelled to send in my card. He was
very busy cutting rates. but nevertheless
he looked up with genial smile. and |
introduced myself"
II know what you're after. You want
to take ride in my red devil"'
"Er-where is it chained?" l asked
tlmidly.
"You can't miss it. Look around the
yard, and get aboard. I'll be with you
presently. It's the SWEETEST thing that
ever missed jump spark.
II found no difficulty whatever. after
the elaborate directions, in locating the
gosoline generators. but was uncertain
on which side to mount. spent my time
looking over the splendid points of the
machine and counting the rail joints
in the tires.
Directly Mr.. Paskill joined me. bear
ing large tank in his hand. He wore
life preservers buckled around his waist,
and had gum boots on. He also wore
wooden mitts and ear muffs, to say moth
ing of the regulation chauffeur goggles.
Altogether, he looked more real than the
real thing. As moved over TO make
room for the tank on the seat, | almost
asked him if he had brought along an
Ostermoor mattress to light on; but
thinking he might think me frivolous, in
quired instead
"What have you got all that truck on
on for? 1t must be mighty uncomfort-
able"
II see ! must wise you up" said Lane
with sigh. "it beats all what ignorant
dubs there are in the world. The gum
boots are non-conductors of vibration,
and the wooden mitts prevent getting
trouble on your hands. It's the style this
year to wear ear muffs and goggles"
"But how about the life preservers ?"
asked anxiously.
L. f. stroked his stubbled chin
"If had fifteen cents-er
on l mean we sell splendid accident
tickets at premium ot25 cents per day,
or FIVE dollars worth for four eighty-nine
if paid in advance. Gee whiz. looks
amiable today, but you never can most
always tell. Better get you ticket any
how"
This caused little delay. On his re-
turn he explained that "gee whiz' was
the name of his machine.
We made an excellent start, run
over three boulders and SHE'D at dog.
The can on the seat commenced to
get familiar, and at every lunge
b.rked my elbow. Finally said:
"Mr. Paskill what do you carry this
can for anyhow? Can't we throw it
in the hay under the seat or some
where. 1t seems to be in the way.
That can is a little continuance Of
my own, he yelled. "Gasoline in the
top, danderine in one side for the
bald heads, and morphine in the other
for the sore heads, but IN the bottom,
ah 1--WE run over dog"
"Yes-in the bottom"
"Why in the bottom is an emer-
gency lunch. and bale OF hay"
"For goodness sake, what's the hay
lori"
swell you Zee in case we have to
hire horse to pull us home the hay
comes in mighty handy"
By this time the telephone poles be-
gan to look like q picket fence, and
conversation became difficult. As we
struck q chuck hole. l yelled:
"Say, this makes the North Coast
Limited look like two shillings and
six pence"
We got home after awhile, and
helped him curry down his machine
and feed it a quart of gasoline. l had
a thrilling and hair-raising experience,
but I'm glad l went.
That $500 Gun,