The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-01-30

that we are about to run Into evoy
thing we run across. but I can assurs
you that II is an optical deluslcn. W.
are much safer than II on a steamer b
mid,Atlansic. What's the matterr
Mr.. Bowser had crouched down ant
uttered a shout
Il thought We were going right ovel
that street carr he whispered.
"oh. that was all right. | saw thai
I could clear the front Of the car wild
half an inch to spare. and so ! wen
ahead. Now, there Is lame mar
crossing the street 20 feet away. Il
probably seems to YOU that we arr
headed right for him and that In ter
seconds more We shall pick him up and
toss him sky high, but you'll obscrvs
that l just shave his coat tails and give
him bit OF a jump, There's no need
Of your hanging ON TO the seat In the
way you do"
Are we headed toward homey"
'w'hy. Of course not. This Is only
the beginning Of ten or fifteen milt
spin. You see that peanut cart on the
eorner, Well. Its owner Is always tax
ing up more OF the street than belongs
to him. and | am going to give him
bit Of Lesson
~But H.
aYou are all right. Mr.. Bowssr.
though l wish you'd had your eyes
spen when We struck the cart. II went
ten feet high. and the look on the Ital-
lan's face was something to remember.
Peanut carts are good things to prsc.
tice ON. This 10 exhilarating. isn't itr'
"Y-yes. but Id like to get home early.
you know. I think Mira Bowser wants
to play cards tonight"
''She said that l was to take you
from fifteen to twenty miles 20 that
you could thoroughly post yourself on
the running OF a machine. he flrst
thing TO get used to Is the sensation OF
speed. We are now going at the rate
Of ten miles an hour, but II seems twice
that TO you. l supposeY'
lit seems a thousand..
"But you'll get used TO II. Now we
are coming TO a crossing Of street car
tracks and just In time to meet four
different street cars. II you were out
In your machine what would you doY'
stop il and yell for the policer'
groaned Mr.. Bowser
"oh. no, you wouldn't. You'd do
just as am doing let those four mo-
tormen look out for themselves and
drive right ahead. II they are not a
mind TO stop, then
One car ran me down within an inch.
but | escaped the other two by more
than a foot. and for two minutes | am
sure that MIR. Bowser didn't breathe.
When | had the time 10 glance at him
he was as pale as dead man. and had
his eyes hard shut.
.Now we are out Of town and there's
a good road before US. apd ! can show
you some speed" said.
Say, Blank" he whispered in reply,
IT am sure that Mrs. Bowser wants
me and will be mad II I don't come
home"
Wen head for home after our little
SPIN
"But-but-how much will you take.
cash down. to head for homer
why. Mr.. Bowser. I thought you
wanted 20 be an auteisf"
I'll do, but. you see. II Mrs. Bow.
ser wants to 20 to the theater to
night
ran the machine into a shallow
ditch and let II brush against the
bushes. and Mr.. Bowser went still
whittier. then ran over a stick Of
cord wood dropped from some farmers
wagon, and the poor man groaned like
an OF In bis last agony. Then ! In
creased the speed to twenty-five miles
an hour. and be slid OF the seat and
clung to my leg. Having carried out
my promises to the letter. ran the
auto OF the road and stopped II and
said
"Mr. Bowser shall we put in anoth.
er ten mllesT
For heavens sake, no. he replied
as he came TO life.
"Nlce moonlight evening, you know.
and am willing TO stay out until mid
night"
got out to oil up a little and he
followed. The next thing | knew he
had slipped away into the bushes. !
called 10 him again and again. but he
did not answer. went up the road for
a mile, but no one had seen such a
man as described. made many In
quiries on my return and kept my eyes
open for the man | wanted. but In vain.
When | reported to Mrs. Bowser she
smiled and said:
You have my warmest thanks. II
may take him two or three days, but
be will get home at last. He may
turn to fire escapes, burglar alarms,
hair dyes and the dew cure, but don't
think be viii buy an auto"
And neither do |.
BOWsER's FRIEND BLANK.
Per N, Quaa.