Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-02-05
TITS a fair game, ism i

mo, it isn't" snapped the Texan.
falling into the vernacular of the
plains. Its dingy deal with cold
deck. Where does the girl come in?"
"Coronet." drawled the noble earl.
land not such bad sort under ii II
she is satisfied, am. FIN sure"
"Birthright, mess of pottage and a
pig in poke" suggested Richard
rather warmly. But what Of you?
Why, great Scott, man. you've never
seen her She may he humpbacked-
hideous"
''My dear old chap" said the earl,
with a dry. indulgent smile. you will
learn some day that Bradstreet re-
port covers n multitude of freckles.
By Jove, I've even known 1t to con.
done a hump"
Here the conversation stopped sud.
denly. The machine had done the same
They We're far out on the Westchester
road in the vicinity of New Rochelle,
with nothing in sight but farmers
truck wagon approaching from an op-
posite direction, with big yellow dog
lfOltluS DeSlue the wheel.
The earl drawled something about it
being most cXtrawd'n'ry" and began
to manipulate the various levers, but
without results. Clearly he was un-
familiar with the vagarles of this par
ticular brand of motor He descended
from the car and turned his engine
over, being rewarded by a Gathering
roar which caused him to leap back
into his seat again. He released his
brake and inadvertently threw his
weight upon the speed controller. The
machine arose and rejoiced rs strong
man going to battle.
As Mr. Richard Williams afterward
described 1t, "the thing first bucked
and then bolted for nowhere in partic-
ular. 1t attended to the yellow dog
first, then ate up the farmers wagon,
turned over on its back and kicked up
its heels. hollering like calf under the
branding IRON
The gtaphic historian found himself
sailing gracefully over Il barbed wire
fence until he alighted in soft field.
where he p!owed up considerable
earth, but sustained no serious injury.
The Earl of Croyiand had Jared worse.
In his hcadlong plunge lie had struck
fence post, wlenching one leg badly
and fracturing his right collar bone.
The lrate farmer arose from the dust
with bleeding nose and Immediately
put in Il claim for damages, not only
nd lit
but for loss of time and the greater
portion of his costume. Nothing
seemed TO have happened to his vocab.
ulary, it was noticed.
Richard crawlcd under tile barbed
wire fence back TO the road and turn.
ed his attention to his injured friend.
In the meantime correctly attircd
young woman driving Panhard
stopped to view the general wreck,
while road patroman galloped up
and took bustling charge of every one
Whats the gentleman's name and
| address," he demanded of Richard.
who was in the act of raising the Eng
| lfshman's head
| The Texan was about to answer
truthful!y when the earl opened his
eyes and drawied out languidly, but in
sufficiently clear voice: My name
is Richard Williams of San Antonio,
Texas-Hotel St Regis-l'll pay all
damages. This gentleman has one OF
my cards in his pocket"
The earl then closed his eyes dellD-
erately, as though the matter were en-
tirely disposed of--really to shut out
| Richards surprised and repronchful
glance.
The real Richard Williams of San
Antonio. Tex. was thunderstruck at
this limitless display of nerve, hut his
| vigorous protest was checked by an
elaborate wink from tile sufferer Ac.
cordinSly he handed the officer one of
his own cards and stood forth ready
and eager TO answer all questions.
What is your nance" asked the pa
trolmah, notebook in hand.
| "Er-Peter Wilson,"
Friend of this gcntleman?"
Chauffeur" interrupted Croyland
quickly.
"Ah! said the patrolman. Were you
driving:"
| NO. answered Richard truthfuly
II gave the wheel to that idiot. and
only through special dispensation of
Providence am | now able to answer
your questions Anything more:"
In measure he had evenel up with
the earl. but not quite.
How did your machine happen to
| r-n into this mans cart:" continued
the officer
| Don't know SHE'D ut something, !
reckon" replied the involuntary chauf-
feur sarcastically
| This was not technical, but it anus.
ed the officer, whereupon. at Croy.
lands adroit suggestion. Richard pre-
scented him With Il twenty dollar bill
his own. by the way-and asked him
to have the machine towed to the near.
est garage. limiting that if Mr.. Williams
were approached properly it might not
be to the patrolman's disadvantage.
The officer made short work of the in
disnant farmer. ordering him to pre-.
sent his claim to the Layton Motor
company, but. first of all. to stop talk.
ing. He suggested sending carriage
and a doctor from New Rochelle, but
here the lady motorist, who had been
an interested spectator. descended from
her car and graciollsly offered to con.
vey the two gentlemen back to New
York.
| This offer WAS gratefully accepted.
Richard and the patrolman helping the
| Englishman into the tonncau The
farmer wished to accompany them, but
was promptly suppressed by divers
threats of the law for blocking public
highways
Mr.. Wilson," briskly remarked the
young lady, who had given her name
as Miss Sempton, II think your EN-
ployer would be more comfortable II
you propped his injured limb ON the
seat. You would better ride with me-
Richard flushed, but obeyed. To be
thought Il chauffeur by the patrolman
| was one thing, but the occupation was
not so attractive in the eyes of dash.