The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1908-09-03
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Griffith's Masterpiece.
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By FELIX NOEL

| OAiAuIh went through a series OF
conjuring tricks. in which half a
dozen keys took part.
You take good care Of it, old Iad,"
he said, laughing.
1t is a masterpiece" answered his
friend. gravely. Nothing like 1t in
existence. 1 believe. Stand aside.
Jack. and I'll bring it out"
And long white car came gliding
out OF the shadows, shattering Johns
visions OF clumsy piece of amateur
mechanism into fragments.
| The vehicle resembled nothing ho
had ever seen. He stepped inside II.
and looked about in perplexity. II
was like narrow room on wheels.
entirely inclosed by windows Of plate
glass, draped with green silk curtains.
Easy chairs stood about; cushioned
lockers ran down each side. At the
end was broad divan.
The windows slide back" said
Griffith; this curtain can be drawn,
shutting of the divan entirely. so
that one can sleep here If necessary.
The lockers hold provisions
where's the steering gear?"
It's invisible" was the reply.
Mansel. a trife nettled, walked to the
front of the car, where a brass disk
was nailed.
1T this also a secret?" he asked.
with some irritation.
It's my remembrance. returned
Grifhth. laughing. Where shall we
go? Barstead? Be a nice run before
luncheon; we ought to be there Dy
ten-thirty," writing those numerals
and "Barstead" on a card ard stick
ing it in the disk. Bring chair to
the front, Jack"
what do you think of it," asked
GriHth. What's the matter. old
man."
Look here. Grin, This is abso-
lutely uncanny. you know! Who's
steering?"
Il am"
Mansel regarded the speaker stead
lily.
III this is joke. Griff, it is a bit
too weird for my taste! This blessed
car is simply going to destruction. un-
less you have a chauffeur concealed
on the roof What's your motive
power? Where's your steering gear.
man."
You are perfectly safe" replied
Griffith, ignoring the questions. Look
there"
A heavy four-horse wagon was
numbering toward them. Mansel held
his breath, but in an instant the car
swerved aside, passing the staring
wagner and his team like a flash.
John gasped. Griffith regarded him
quizzically.
Now, don't you think my car an
improvement on the ordinary thing?"
he asked.
In the big items of absence of
smell and noise. do. emphatically."
answered his friend; but it gives
one the saddest feeling of insecurity
to sit here and see no means of con-
trolling it! Look here, Grin! Put
me down at Barstead Station; I tell |
you candidly don't trust myself"
What do you mean?"
That 1 can't stay within a few
yards of this machine without trying
to find out the secret of it's working: |
So, If you don't want me to make a |
cad OF myself. leave me at Barstead. |
and send my traps after me-"
My dear old lad" replied Griffith. !
you shall have the keys of the motor |
house and examine the thing at |
leisure; only let me candidly tell you.
you will have your pains for moth |
ing"
You think I can't find out the
secret?"
Sure of it,
Take bet on it,"
mo; it would be picking your /
pocket"
And you give me leave to try?"
do your level best. old fellow.
You won't succeed, however,"
And the car glided on, hills and !
valleys making no difference to It's
swift. smooth progress.
The return journey was an almost
silent one. When the car stopped
Griffith handed John bunch of keys.
Its a letter lock-" he explained;
the word is secret now do as YOU
like, except take the car to pieces"
The following day was young when
Mansel locked the door upon himself
and the mysterious motor The light
ness of the vehicles make puzzled
him exceedingly. The wheels had !
none of the usual massiveness,. and
no trace of tank, or coil. of lever or
spring, could he find. He crawled
under IT, in that happy position fami!-
lar to those of us who are owned by
the ordinary car; he tapped, exam
ined, measured. He mounted the
roof, he searched the cushion lockers,
inspected the brazen disk, and at
length, weary and exasperated. owned
himself beaten. and went back to
town with his friend, no whit wiser
than he had left 1t.
Il want to ask you a great favor,
dear Mr.. Griffith" thus spoke Mrs.
Mansel. in her most fascinating man
ner.
What is t." inquired Griffith.
ssXOu ara cnch an old friend |