Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1907-09-21

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"The way to figure it out is this"
said Witherby. eve can get just as
much pleasure out of runabout mo-
tor car as we can out of a four-cylin-
der touring car. We may waVer just
little bit on the hills. But what of
that? We can go as fast as the law
allows, and it isn't nearly the trou-
ble."
Mrs. Witherby sighed.
LAS long as you are getting one"
she said, why not get a decent one?"
But this is decent. It's just as
reliable as bigger one, only smaller.
1t will carry us anywhere.
THE Paysons, next door, have
French machine. The Burts, on the
other side, big four-cylinder forty
horse power. And they keep a chauf-
feur. How shall we appear"
"Fine Splendid! You wait and
see. It's all false pride"
The next day when the trim little
runabout was delivered Mrs. With
erby gazed at it silently for long
time.
Well" said her husband, chow
Is it?"
"Dinky!"
"Umph! Just like a woman. Full
of vanity. Everything for appear
ance."
But, my dear, you must admit
that it Is a trife humiliating for us,
especially with our position. Yester-
day, when Mrs. Burt heard it was
coming, and what it was, she con-
graduated me, What do you think
Of that?" gyr
Rise above such things! What
nonsense! Come, let us go out for a
spin"
At the end of a week Witherby
sald
81 have a business friend coming
to dine tomorrow. He's from the
West"
very well. will have a nice din
ner."
Witherby fidgeted uneasily.
by the way" he observed care
lessly, with an elephantine. attempt
at Indifference, don't say anything
to him about our machine"
Mrs. Witherby opened her eyes.
why not?" she asked.
well, if you must know, dear, he
has two or three big cars, and
thought didn't-that IS
"Ah! So you know how it is, do
you?"
Witherby blushed.
But he's a valuable customer,
and in this CASE"
Don't say any more. l understand
perfectly"
The next few weeks the Witherbys
were drawn together by a silent bond
of sympathy. Each had had exper-
fences; each taCitly understood the
other. Under cover of the darkness
they surreptitiously enjoyed their
new machine. They rode in side
streets and sought the unfrequented
byways. 1t was a subject they never
mentioned. Every ride was like
snatching fearful joy.
"Ah," said Bender one morning at
the station, as he slapped Witherby
on the back, Il see you've Joined the
great majority. Didn't l see you puff
fing along in a runabout yesterday"
Witherby acknowledged the charge.
Nice little cars, those" said Bend
er. Il keep one on hand myself as a
kind Of supplement to my touring
car. BY the way, old man, what is
your carr"
THAT is" said Witherby, with a
sudden squirt of courage. .
you have no other?"
mol"
ooh! Certainly, of course; beg
pardon. Nice little affairs-I see
Jones waving to me-"
He was off, much to Witherby's re-
lief.
But If that gentleman had his trou-
bles, what must be thought of Mrs.
Witherby's?
One day, in a moment of forgetful-
ness, she attended a meeting of the
woman's club. Mrs. Linnet, just in
front, leaned over enthusiastically.
How do you like your little car,
my dear?"
Very much"
"They are very nice. Since I've
seen you and your husband in one,
I'm really thinking of following your
example. Just for myself, you know.
Our big one is so unwieldly, and they
say a child can manage one like
yours. You haven't been far, have
your"
ooh, no." >s4sys,,
This and more.
The next morning Mrs. Witherby
rose, pale but determined. She spent
the morning in town, getting togeth-
err all her available resources. She
went to her bank, to her safe deposit;
she even visited her father. Armed
with the results of her work she
forthwith purchased the largest, most
luxurious automobile she could find,
and ordered 1t delivered at the ear
Hest possible moment. Then she
calmly waited for her husband
Hal" he exclaimed. "Glad you're
home. It's late, but let's go out for
a spin. Who cares? We've been
foolish about our dinky little motor
car. Come, dear, III tune her up"
"All right" she said, I'm do 1t.
don't care, either. Only listen. I've
been to town to-day, got all my