Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-09-21

the noise of the motor.
We've got to run in; I'm afraid of
the rear inside shoe It won't stand an
other skid like the last"
Stanton's mouth shut In hard line.
81 will not" he stated. Get back in
your place. You can't tell"
IL, can"
Stanton deigned no reply, sliding
back stretch. To 60 in meant to lose
the whole time gained AS they took
the back turn, Floyd again leaned,
over.
Coin to throw away the race an
wreck your machine, for foolishness?'
he inquired. That's Just like you.
Ralph Stanton, You'll risk blowout
an smash TO, save five minutes in
a twenty-four hour trace. You can
drive, but you won't use common
sense"
Something snapped under Stanton's
mask Raging with silent fury, he
slowed down his car and swung into
the paddock gate as they came op-
posite it, laundering through to his
own camp.
Elk that tire" he commanded, as
the swarm of mechanics surrounded
tn en, and descended from his seat to
confront the assistant manager. Have
you got me another mechanician, yet?
This one won't do
why, no. Mr.. Green deprecated.
"The driver who alternates with you
wants to keep his mechanician; be-
sides, the man isn't exactly ready to
go with you, and he couldn't do both
shifts, anyhow. I've telephoned to the
to find a man and rush him
here What" he looked toward the
group around the car, where Floyd's
bronze head shone in the electric light
as he directed the proc eedings. whats
the matter with this one? Scared?"
! s'No,' conceded Stanton, grudgingl,
just. "Insolent and interfering
"Well, II that is all"
Stanton turned his back upon the
speaker. recklessly and blindly angry,
past all reasoning.
When, the brief operation completed
Floyd sprang up beside his driver for
the start, Stanton surveyed him
his goggles.
IF you are nervous about my driv-
ing and my sense, you had better get
of now" was the grim warning. For
I drive as see At, and I'm going to
make up these laps
"Why are you wasting time here,
them" continued the mechanician,
The Mercury hurtled viciously down
the line Of training camps an6 burst
out on the track like blazing meteor.
-hs A~ak~ h oh "A
curve, and began to Edrlve-as he saw
fit.
The cloce-packed witnesses stood
during most of the next hour. alter
nately applauding and shouting dis
may, climbing on seats and benches to
see. The other racers gave the Mer-
curry room on the turns, after the Alan
car tried to steal an inside sweep, and
skidding, missed destruction through
and with Stanton by the narrow mar
gin of foot.
I There was neither opportunity nor
wish for speech between the two who
rode the verge of death on the Mer-
curry. Floyd attended steadily to his
duties; pumping oil, brushing the vel.
low track-dust from the pilots goggles
to clear his vision of each turn. watch.
ing the tires and the other machines.
But he made no protest at the deadly
methods of his companion.
Near the end of the second hour, the
scream of the klaxon sounded it's signi-
fcant warning of trouble.
t'It's us-lamps out" called the me-
chanician, after a comprehensive re-
view Of their machine.
Stanton shook his head impatiently,
and kept on; deliberately passing the
paddock gate instead OF turning in.
AS they shot by the grand-stand for
the second time. the klaxon sounded
again, long and imperiously.
Coin to fight the judges lisped
Floyd, with careful politeness.
The driver did not speak or glance
from the funnel-effect Of light and dark
into which they were boring. but the
catch of his breath was not gentle.
However, he swung into the paddock.
on the next circuit, and halted a brief
instant to have, the lamp relighted.
Familiar with his usual wants. man
ran bringing a pitcher OF water to
Stanton; who swallowed little. then
pushed the vessel SO roughly toward
his mechanician that some of the liquid
splashed over the recipient and trick
led down upon them both.
Here" he offered CURLY. q
Thanks" Floyd accepted, and drank
as they bounded forward, tossing the
tin pitcher back over his shoulder,
where a reporter gathered it up and
sat upon keg of oil to write a pretty
account of the volunteer mechanician
who had made the Mercury's entry
possible and Of the consequent regard
of Stanton for him.
The next hour passed a trifie more
quietly. Perhaps even Stanton was
sufficiently tired by the strain to drive
with some conservatism; perhaps he
acknowledged mentally that no car
built would stand such viciously
work for twenty-four con-
secutive hours. But he kept the lead
gained, for all that, and a pace like
the long swoop of swallow.
Gear coming out of the paddock.
and -eightieth lap. Car stop
ped round the bend" Floyd reported,
at intervals. Otherwise there was
mute attention to business on the part
Of both men.
Signal Stanton abruptly ordered
4I,o1, r,,Chad he