The Washington herald., 1910-07-03

Wheeler owns an electric automobile
He has owned one-not the same one,
however-for three years OF more. He |
uses il in his business. but principally /
for the pleasure of himself and family ]
He prizes it highly unless it happens to
be in the shop out of commission, or
when his bills come in az the end OF the
month Then he grows eloquent, eoun-
selling his friends against contracting
the electric runabout habit
His doctor tells him he would lengthen
his span of life If he would walk more.
But, all in all, If the cars battery is
working well and the tires are holding
up. he consoles himself with the thought
that his electric is about the most salts
flying expensive luxury that mortal man
can indulge in And any other Wash
ingtonian, who owns such a machine,
win say Wheeler is about right
Wheeler is a Iaw-abiding citizen. He
respects the rights of pedestrians. even
those who ignore crossings and persist
aimlessly in using the streets. He would
not run one Of them down for the world.
Experience has made OF him a some
what expert chauffeur. He has never
a nllSHdDt
when he mentions the proud fact More
over, he was never arrested-never un-
til night OF two ago. and then he was
not actually taken into custody. The
story of IL is coming.
You may know Wheeler. Some people
do. But the ofhcer of the law who
figures herein did not know him from
Adam. He knows him now, but that
does not count. Wheeler also knows this
officer of the law, but that does not
count.
It was typical summer night.
Wheeler. with his wife and two children.
had ridden far into the suburbs for
breath of wholesome country air Re
turning he had descended one of the
large hills, entering the. CITY proper. and.
keeping well within the speed limits, was
within five squares OF his home when
bicycle policeman hailed him from
behind
Mister, your light is out" came the
warning
1T is out of order" responded Wheeler.
I'll be home in a few minutes and attend
TO it."
Two big gasoline machines rumbled by
al the same instant and on neither was
rear light displayed.
Vehicles drawn by horses were coming
and going with no lights at all
The side lights on Wheeler's electric
car were brilliant and Illuminated the
street
A square or so further on the bicycle
policeman again hailed Wheeler.
Mister. your lights out"
Yes. I know" was the response. 1T
won't work, but I'll see to it when I get
home"
rrr-o ,,,i,,,ta. fatar VKybeeta- .,,r-.5 -
corner into a lettered street and stopped
IN front of his residence. alighted. and
helped his wife and children out The
bicycle policeman arrived simultaneously
and dismoGnted-
At the same moment one of the tires
OF the electric blew out as a signal that
the joy-riding was at an end for the
evening
Let me have your name, please" said
the bicycle policeman, who had taken the
number OF the car.
Wheeler gave il. No, it was not really
Wheeler. The bicycle policeman reeog-
nized II and his manner became apollo
getic, somewhat. But an uncompromis-
ing sense of duty spurred him on.
Let me look al your permit" said he
Haven't it," rejoined Wheeler. Don't
know where il is" It was Issued months
ago and Wheeler had misplaced it. Per
haps it was in his desk at the Office, or
IN the pocket OF an old coat He did not
know.
The bicycle policeman looked and acted
incredulous. Clearly he did not believe
that Wheeler had permit.
''Win you go to one of the station
houses ?"
The bicycle policeman did not say
Wheeler must go; he asked If he would
go.
mo. I can't I'm late now. and have
to get to my Office"
''Win You meet me in court tomorrow
morning. them"
Il can hardly do that. either" said
Wheeler, ''for I keep late hours and do
not get down town early" Wheeler is a
night worker. But he added. ''I'H tele-
phone the superintendent and arrange it,"
'All right" said the bicycle policeman.
Anything he says viii be satisfactory
TO me-"
Next day Wheeler got in communion
ton with the Police Court authorities and
indicated his readiness TO pay any fine
that might be assessed for violating the
regulation touching the rear light on his
machine.
But complication here developed. He
was now it appeared, accused of operat-
ing a machine without a license, having
failed 10 produce his permit. Considerate
court officials however told him he would
be notified.
And he was notified
At night there came message to
him from police headquarters 20 appear
in court the following morning. The
bicycle policeman had sworn out two
warrants against Wheeler one charging
him with failing TO display a light on
the rear Of his machine and the other
with operating an automobile without a
license.
Wheeler appeared. not in court, but in
the court offices. The bicycle policeman
was there-very sorry. meek of manner.
but more imbued than ever with his
sense OF duty-dOing. Wheeler had no
difficulty in convincing the courts repre-
sentative that, although he had misplaced
his permit, he was a properly licensed
operator. His word was good. Promising
TO secure a duplicate permit the first
charge was dropped Then II was de-
cided, after a little consideration. that
his personal bond in the sum Of 500
might be taken In the other case.
Thereupon Wheeler went forth from
the precincts OF the Police Court free
man. He had received uniformly courte-
Gus treatment from every quarter, but
for thirty-sx hours had been subjected
to annoyance and his daily routine broken
into-all because he had not been able
make the rear light on afaorrfc