The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1906-01-18

mlhES AN HUM
very enthusiastic over the matter and
asked me to call at his house that even
ing and give him a little trip that he
might see how the old thing worked.
was there at the minute named, and
while Mr. Bowser was busy with
stranger Mrs. Bowser entertained me.
We reached an understanding In the
course of six or seven minutes. Mrs.
Bowser Is a woman prepared to meet
any emergency. She had not opposed
the purchase Of machine, but had
made Mr. Bowser agree to take ride
in one before closing any bargain. Our
brief conversation was interesting
from several points Of view, but most
ly as to what was to happen to Mr..
Bowser in the next hour
"Well, Blank, here you are" he said
as he finished his business with the
stranger, "and want you, before start
ing out, to assure Mrs. Bowser that
riding In an auto Is just as safe as sit
ting at home in rocking chair"
81 have done that" replied.
"Yes," replied Mrs. Bowser, ''he has
satisfied me that all these cases Of ac-
cident reported day after day are fixed
up by the penny-a-line reporters and
have not word of truth in them. /
did fear to have him go out but now I
think it perfectly safe--ln fact, pre-
sumo he will enjoy himself"
"And il do, you won't object to my
buying an auto?" he asked.
mo, l will not"
Mr.. Bowser was as bland and COM
placent as a June bug when he took
his seat beside me in the machine, but
as shaved the edge of brick pile in
turning around in getting away he
braced his feet and got better hold
with his hands. When we turned the
first corner l tickled the wheel of a
moving van and made white wings
jump for the sidewalk, and Mr.. Bowser
said:
"You-you are sure you know all
about this thing?"
"My dear sir, haven't been running
1t for months? Any child can run an
auto. You are not a nervous man, are
yOu?"
"Of course not, but thought you
were shaving things pretty close"
Not at ALL You see that grocer's
wagon down there? Well, that red
headed boy who drives 1t is known to
me- He is getting too fresh and needs
taking down peg or two. 1 shan't
run into the vehicle, but shave it rather
close"
"But let me out first"
81 couldn't possibly stop here in this
crowd, you see; nothing whatever to
be afraid Of We skip right along here
edge In bit-make the red headed
boy think we are going to climb over
the dashboard-and here we are.
hundred feet past him. l think
knocked a spoke out Of hind wheel,
but am not sure At any rate, the boys
hair was standing up as we passed.
and he has received something of a
shock. Are you enjoying yourselff"
I'll am trying to, but-but"-
"You see, the sensation Is new to
you, and 1t will take few minutes to
get accustomed to 1t. 1t seems to you
that we are about to run into every
thing we run across, but can assure
you that 1t is an optical delusion, We
are much safer than if ON a steamer in
mid-Atlantlc. What's the matterT'
Mr.. Bowser had crouched down and
uttered shout.
Il thought we were going right over
that street car" he whispered.
"Oh, that was all right | saw that
! could clear the front Of the car with
half an inch TO spare, and SO | went
ahead. Now, there is a lame man
crossing the street 2o0 feet away. 1t
probably seems to you that we are
headed right for him end that. in ten
seconds more we shall pick him up and
toss him sky high, but you'll observe
that / Just shave his coat tails and give
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