Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-04-08

T. i~E~r-N A-A0A AtAA atN1N the ENEur0 de
scrioed in the preceding chapter, Jel
sauntered down town to breakfast 4
about o'clock. Having finished his oat
meal-he preferred his ssmeat victnsIs,
hrst-he stepped ont OF the restaurant /,
. placid state Of mind, forecasting The an
ties OF the day. Legislature met At Il
and the joint assembly came At II. whici
would again enable him, II he estimated
correctly, to play a star part in the crucia
ballot for senator.
"Old Jed hain't deown an oeut Wit
NOT much" he unused, as be stroIled M
the street. Gwen show them smari
scamps . thing er two. Look outI don'l
run over q fsllerl''
An automobile whizzed up and nearly
eapsizeo Jed, who was about to cross the
street. The machine stopped instantly.
BEG pardon. Didn't mean you any
harm. just jump in and have 4 spin Ia
make 1t square, +" said the driver.
JED hesitated. He had never ridden in
an auto and INDUCED the usual prejudice OF
the farmer and horse owner against the
machine, but here was an offer be could
not well refuse. He climbed aboard
awkwardly aud took q seat beside the
driver. lever moved and they shot
startling to the passenger.
YOU'RE Mr.. Alden, the member from
kingston, think, " said the operator.
Ny names scudder, Jim scudder.
You may have heard Of me-"
Jed shook his head.
They were swinging along at an easy
galt nov, lodging teams, electrics and
pedestrians with q skill that proved the
drivers mastery of his machine. They
took street after street until, h half Al
hour, they had nearly covered the citv.
I've got to run q little way up the
Branch" said Scudder, land ia like to
take you along. Won't be gone over an
hour
81 got tew be at tn state house at ten
sure, " said Jed, shut eff yew'n hey me
back then I'd like tew go.n
'Sure, will. Must be back here nv
then myself.n
They dashed along into the country at
a good clip. The morning was bright
and crisp and the keen air as they sped
brought glow to their cheeks.
"Great fun, isn't it?'' asked scudder.
"Yes. Never rode in one before. Goes
pootty slick. Thing ever balk up With
ye9"
'Oh, sometimes, q little, but not 10
cause much trouble. l understand II
pretty we'll"
They we're soon six or seven miles ont
and il was half past nine. Jed looked Al
bis silver watch.
"Heow much further yew goin?"
"Just a little way" Scudder answered.
1--WE got to run up to the mill and leave
an order for lumber. Don't you worry.
Wen go back flying"
II vas quarter OF ten when the mill had
been reached, the order left and the ms
chine beaded around. Jed began to be
nervous but as they struck down the easy
grade at speed that counted be conclud- |
ID II would be all right and that be
would reach the capitol on time. They
had not gone a mile, however, when the
engine suddenly stopped and they came
10 an abrupt halt.
whats tn matter?" asked Jed.
"Don't know. III see." Scudder |
hustled out and tried the different tests to
ocate the trouble.
Here it is. III have her going in q
Scudder adjusted certain W Tres /
md screws, worked the pump and then |
he crank. The thing didn't bulge.
HIN, that's strange" and Scudder 4
vent over the process again. Meanwhile /
led was nervously fidgeting in his seat,
TX miles from the state house and impor- /
ant business there demanding his imme- 4
iiate presence.
"Dumb tn pesky thiEgi" he exclaimed
inalIy. "Can't depend on 'em in a
'inch. What am goini tew do? / got
ew be at joint assembly at IL. Every
hing depeDds"-
Just then the engine started and Jed
lreathed easier. II ran a few revoiu-
ions, then slow ed down and stopped.
"Don't get fretty," SAID Scudder, appar-
intly little nettled at Jed's impatienee,
nd somewhat chagrined by the behavior
4 his machine. "pm doing the best /
an"
There was nothing but to wait, which.
ed did, while Scudder tinkered fully If
cen minutes longer. A team came along
nd Jed was about to hail il for a ride in
' hen the auto glided OF in perfect order.
hey made perhaps half a mile in fig
ime, when II baked again and the pro-
ram was repeated. Jed consulted his
Fstch necessarily now and when the
ands reached half past ten he could
tand it no longer.
81 Jest got ter be there" he decIared.
No KNOWN when this dumd thing III
move agin. I'll strike along afoot an il
ew git it fixed up, hustle after me an
lick me up. I'll give yew two dollars ef
ew'n set me down at the state house at
even o'clock"
II may have been Scudder's futile at
smpt to start the defective batteries, but
certainly sounded like a smoker that
cached Jed as he moved down the road
I gait that broke into q run as soon Is
e reached the first turn. Faster and
aster he sped, his breath keeping pace
nd sweat starting from every pore. Soon
e yanked OF bis coat, then his hat. As 1
9 ran pest houses, the inmates rushed to
be doors to see the strange spectacle and
D wonder il it were q Iunatic or an es-
aping criminal. When his breath or bis /
Irength gave out, he would slow down |
) a canter, or even a walk, until be had
ssted sufficiently to run again. A few
ines he stopped and listened, hoping to /
ear the chug OF the auto on its way to
vertake him, but he heard it not. The
tiles laboriously covered took precious
linutes, but Jed's courage did not fail.
81 got tew make it, er we're dished."
And on he sped. !