New-York tribune., 1909-07-25
Cars Are Not Built for Hurdling.
but Sometimes They Show
Great Jumping Powers.
CHAPTER Il.

Ar1Ar LEI IL
Automobile hurdle racing has not yet become
porular pastime, but there are occasions when a
two thousand rourd jumps through the air with
tn agility. If not the lightness of thoroughbred
Canadian hunter, and such occasions the occu-
pants OF the car likely 10 have much the same
difficulty in keeping their seats that nexperi
enced rider has or the back Of the Canadian It
must be acknowledged that II is seriously disturb
ing TO cosic serenity TO be aroused from discus
sion psychic phenomena co-ordinated with
Nrnchner find that the motor in which one
IS riding has hurdled into the centre OF the Long
Island Railroad Company's right of way and cy-
ciopean headlight is bearing down rapidly on the
disofganized philosophers.
Such an experience was the lot OF party re-
turning from Coney Island shortly before grade
crossings were abolished in Brooklyn The driver
Of he ear thought that he of the streets
opened across the tracks, and It was not until the
machine in midair that he realized his mis-
take he had the steering wheel 10 hold 10, but
the rest Of the party found themselves floating
along several inches above the seats. their words
cut in TWO without regard 10 syllables and their
breathing temporarily discontinued
As be1itted the drama. II was dark and stormy
night The wind howled around corners. thunder
crashed and Lightning showed in vivid flashes The
return TO earth was accompanied by a peculiarly
sharp detonation and simultaneously wild shrek
rent the air and flaming eye bore down upon the
shaken and bewildered party.
The car. going at high speed had struck the
curbing. leaped high in the air. and landed four
square across the outbound Long Island Railroad
tracks IL Atlantic avenue. with the wheels Of the
machine firmly wedged by the rails. and train
rapidly approaching The six half dazed hasti-
~ tumbled and put their shoulders 10 the
Barely in time the big machine pushed off the
tracks the train swept by. and = chastened and
trembling party discussed the relative tonic prop
critics of Scotch and rye
FIurdIing is an attribute that automobiles take on
from time 10 time, and habit seems 10 be as strong
and binding with the inanimate mechanism il
is with the human mind Indeed, Il some
times as IL the motor were endowed with
deRish ingenuity that IL would take stage villain
70 sarpass. Some low-browed. malevolent
must have been concerned in the making Of the
rsartcular car and breathed his own nature into its
parts Again displays monkeyish fondness
FOR rlaying tricks that while troublesome TO a de
gree can only be laughed at as pure fun
A man Gown Long Island. who has a newly
welded wife. owns runabout Of the kind that
piays monkey tricks, but displays no malice This
man ana his bride hold the plantation negro's be-
lsef that the honeymoon lasts until the first quarrel
and differences of opinion do not count with-them
as assarreIs that. though they have celebrated
their wedding anniversary, they are still on their
honeymoon Of which the runabout last spring be-
came onesot the chief delights
is their habit 70 take the car and magazine
OF book and travel the Long Island roads at
leisarely pace. while the bride reads aloud AMI
the rzlaa in the is alleged be driving the
car. All went well IN this delightful scheme until
the car developed its propensity for hurdling.
One balny afternoon in early June the ap-
Iroached a bridge narrow creek at the
time that the story approached exciting climax
The bridge had Faiiings, but had girder
each side for guard Had clementna thrown
.rudence 10 the winds cast fortune behind her and
given her hand well her heart TO the strik-
1rs,ly handsome young person who was sturdfy
winning his way against 4ne powerful opposition of
the trust?
-.sieh heart says yes. But r1eh dear cid dad! All,
Ezu5err'-
With a swift bound the ear leaped the right hand
.ssrssr snd started for the bottom OF the creek.