The Washington herald., 1910-07-24


He acquired the habit three years ago.
when he purchased an electric, and IT
has grown upon him since. until now it
has taken firm and unshakable hold. He
admits II. and is proud OF IT,
True, Wheeler has not yet passed the
electric stage. He manages to be con-
tent with his clean, neat-looking Stan
hope. whether using it for pleasure or
business.
But the lure Of the country roads
has recently seized upon Wheeler. and
friends. watching the development Of his
love for automobiling. are willing to lay
a wager that he will possess himself Of
a high-power machine and be taking
part in endurance runs before another
year rolls around. even If he has TO
mortgage his earthly possessions to
crafty his habit
Wheeler is to-day not only an auto
mobile enthusiast. but an automobile
philosopher. He has been "pinched"', by
the police for falling TO display a rear
light suffered countless interruptions Of
his joy riding by tires blowing out been
the victim of misplaced confidence in the
mileage capacity Of his machine, paid
the exorbitant Maryland license with
out losing his temper, and, finally-only
Thursday night-lost his way in Rock
Creek Park and stranded, with his wife
and child, in a dark. narrow, and lonely
highway some distance from a street car
line
But these troubles, mishaps, and ad-
ventures are fnconsequenttal things COM
pared with the pleasure Wheeler gets cut
OF automobiling.
How did he lose his way in Rock Creek
Park2 That is a story you viii soon
read
He frankly confesses that he is some
times guilty of cruelty TO the beast
he calls his electric a beast-in that he
would have it do next TO impossible
things in the matter Of taking hard hills
and long journeys. He knows just as
well as you do that electrics are in
tended chiefly for city streets and riding
in the immediate suburbs; but what more
natural result when he found that he
could ride out 10 Kensingt0n and back
via Wheaton and the Seventh street road
without fazing the battery, and after
further spins about town. turn the
beast in apparently as strong as when
it came 10 him in the morning-what
more natural than that he should essay
a trip 10 Sandy Spring and harbor the
idea Of an electric run 10 Baltimore?
Did not his friend Dorset coolly ap-
Prise him of a trip to Smokers Gap on
q single charge in a machine Of similar
capacity?
II YOU cannot always do it. there is
nevertheless. a lot Of fun trying 10 do
il That is Wheeler's philosophy. And
he insists there would not be half the
pleasure in automobihng but for novel
experiences and unexpected adventures
incident 10 the pastime.
Listen to Wheeler talk for a moment
Then you can fully appreciate what an
enthusiast he is getting to be:
Expensive? Yes. automobiling Is ex-
pensive, but it is the healthiest, the san
est, and the most pleasmable luxury a
normal man can have
''Who do you think are happier
the Washingtonians who go to seashore
and mountain. or the Washingtonians
you meet spinning about the streets and
along the country roads these fine sum
mer days and nights?s Why. these stay.
at-hOmes. Of course. They are infinitely
happier than their neighbors who have
gone away. And the summer is not cost
ing them half as much. either. I know
because have tried both.
"AutomObling continues Wheeler
filed with eloquent ardor. "ls giving count
less Washington people an acquaintance
familiar acquaintance-with this beauti
ful city in which they live and with 1t.
attractive environments. They are find
ing charms here and hereabOut that for
merly they Travelled miles BY railroad Il
see. and then found not half so charming
They can spend a month OF evening,
exploring Rock Creek Park and thel
not exhaust its beauties or master tn,
intricacies Of its roadways
They ind constant and increasing JOY
in cireling and recircling the Speedwa!
and passing under the Highway Bridge
with subsequent spins about the Whit
Lot.
''They get endless pleasure ASCENDING
the Sixteenth street and Massachusetts
avenue hills-these splendid streets nov
leading far out-and returning by DIFF
ferent routes
rides TO Cabin John and Great Fall
afford pleasing innovation.
Interesting towns and villages q
Maryland and Virginia are easily reache,
by roads. traversed from the Capital
Leesbwg. Frederick, and Harpers Fer,
mean but two-hours jaunt in a stron.
machine, and Gettysburg is accessible OIL
a longer run.
"AutomobiIing for me-" conclude
Wheeler. TT beats all other forms o
summer enjoyment Why, I have ha,
more real enjoyment here in a day thar
the average man gets out Of a twO-weeks
outing AT the seashOre or in the noun
tains; and thousands Of other automobn
lists will tell YOU the same thing. The
think Of the time saved in your bushes
,outine-and time is money always"
Having listened 10 Wheeler's talk. yof
may be moved to wonder why he doe
not go into the automobile business
What persuasive. convincing salesman
he would make
Losing your way in Rock Creek Parl
in an electric automobile is sometime
you will remember many a day It Il
more pleasing in the retrospect than II
the experience.
This is how it happened:
Wheeler's faith in the capacity of hi
electric is Increasing. It is not tn,
speediest in town, but he is ready t,
match il against all Corners for endur
ance
About 5 o'clock, with Mrs. Wheels
and little Wheeler, and a box Of lunch