The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1910-09-23
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
The Little
Green Auto
II Brought Great Joy Into the
Lives of Two People
By ALICE E. ALLEN
Copyright, 1910, by American Press
Association.
By ALICE E. ALLEN

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Why first watched for that particu-
lar automobile don't know-perhaps
because it was dark green instead OF
red, perhaps because there was room
In it for only two people.
Perhaps, though, the real reason
why / watched the little green auto
mobile was because of the man who
drove It
The hour after the green automobile
passed our porch was the best one
had all day, because, you see, I was
we'll and strong, like other people, and
I rode away In the green automobile.
Always wore a pretty long coat
warm days it was soft and silky, and
cold days it was soft and furry-and
the prettiest hat and pale blue veil
with long ends, Just like the other Ia
dies In their autos. Really, though,
after / once few away round the cor
ner and along the smooth. broad road
beyond / never once thought again Of
what / wore, for there was the coun-
try. Sometimes the road wound be-
tween beautiful wind blown meadows
of daisies and tall grasses; sometimes
1t lost itself in tangles Of sweet, moist
woods; sometimes it ran down hills
and across bridges only to climb other
hills with other sunny spaces, other
patches Of woodland and other hills
beyond.
OF course l was too old to play such
things. But If one hasn't walked a
step in five years and never can walk
again one has to imagine things some
times.
Then came the day when Billy, the
little boy next door, fell asleep in the
middle of the road. called and called,
but 1 couldn't wake him, nor make his
mother in the next house hear, nor any
mother, nor any one. And then, just as
1 knew 1t would, the green automobile
came flashing round the corner from
the city.
leaned out as far as I could l
waved my blue shawl. The man In
the automobile must have been look
ing my way that time. for almost at
once he stopped. l pointed to Billy.
He jumped out Of the car, picked Billy
up Just as carefully and laid him on
the grass under the maple tree. Then
he lifted his cap to me, and away he
went In the little green auto.
Well. the very next day the green
automobile ran 30 slowly past our
house almost thought it was going to
stop. Billy was playing under the
him and handed him a large square
package. Then he lifted his cap to me
again, and away he went round the
corner out into the country.
Billy came running to me.
Mister said." said Billy, handing
me the package, 'ter give this ter
you"
ITO meT'
Yep, fer the little goil on the porch.
mister said. An he guv me dime"
/ opened the package. There were
two beautiful books bound In blue and
full of colored pictures.
Three days later Billy brought me
another package. In it was the love-
lest doll, all in soft blue, with forget
menot blue eyes and golden brown
curls.
You must give It back" said moth
err. Her voice was 30 stern scarcely
knew it was mothers. Then / cried.
1t was bad enough to have no way Of
thanking the man In the automobile.
| couldn't bear to hurt his feelings by
giving back the doll. And by and by
mother said. well, well. Kathie. new
er mind this timer
Then one day, long before the usual
time, when l was sitting in the sun, /
heard an auto coming. Somehow I |
knew It was the auto. tried to move,
but 1 couldn't And Billy had gone
home. The next thing knew the man |
In the auto had stopped In front Of !
Dur house.
Hello, little bluebirdp he cried |
Fly down here and have a ride with
me-"
shook my head.
you're not a bluebirdH Well. never
mind. Run down, then, and take a
lice ride with me. like little girls"
But I'm not a little girl at ALL"
,ried. I'm eighteen years old. and
I'm taller than mother"
The man in the automobile laughed.
Jump up and show me-" he said.
Its true" said, "but can't show
-ou cause I'm lame"
What do you suppose happened?
rhe man jumped straight out Of his
Iuto. He came up our narrow little
walk. The next minute be was on our
orch. He was ever so much bigger
nd stronger and taller than I'd
bought he almost filed the space
,ack of the vines. He looked down at
ne, very little and lame and ashamed
here IN my wheel chair.
on came his cap.
'T'm so SORRY" he said. For a min
tie be didn't say anything else. Just
TODD looking down at me. Then he
vent on: "You Just must forgive me
omehow. was rude. impertinent.
tupid, everything / ought not to have
cen"
you thought I was a little girlT' I