Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-09-28

+. %, 1911.
the chance Of later regaining the ad-
vantage. From every angle ana curve
the people fed, at sight OF the gray
car followed by its whirlwind OF Gust
and carrying the huge IS" on Its nood.
Twice the Mercury rushed past the
grand stand, to q tumult OF cneels
drowned by the cars own roar. Inc
second time, the two men glimpsed an
official rising, megaphone In hand, ana
rightly guessed that they had made the
fastest circuit Of the day.
And Floyd had received the prom
ised lesson, for Stanton had safely
negotiated the turn that before cost
them a tire, at q pace equally last.
Safely, once; but, not content, ne
came around the second time driving
as furiously, with unslackened speeu.
Down upon the turn they swept again.
Stanton unerringly repeating MS ex'
quisite feat of skill and twisting tno
Mercury around on the two inside
wheels; then the predicted happened.
The crack of an exploding tire came
| while they were on the bend, instant-
" echoed by the bursting OF its mate
| from the opposite wheel; the car toFe
itself from the control under the
double shock and shot of the course
into the field beyond, blowing deep 1ur-
rows in the soft earth until It over
turned with final crash.
Partly held by his steering wneel.
Stanton was flung out on the meadow
grass as the car upset, its speed then
| so much checked that he escaped
scarcely bruised. Floyd, unprotected
had been hurled from his seat BY the
! first shock and lay half-stunned near
the edge of the course.
From far and near came the PEG
pies cries of horror and shouts for
aid. But before the frst man reached
them, Stanton was up and at the side
of his mechanician.
"Floyd!" he painted Floyd"
Floyd was already rising to one
knee: gasping for breath, soiled with
dust and grass stains, and with the
| blood yelling from jagged rent IN
his left arm, but with his attention
only fixed on Stanton.
| "You're-all right?" he articulated.
| 81? Yes. A fool always Is. You"
But he could see for himself that the
mechanician was not seriously injured,
without Floyd's reassuring nod.
Call me what you like" Stanton
permitted, between clenched teeth, as
he dragged out his handkerchief to
bandage the slender arm.
The appalled, crowd was upon them.
With sputtering roar the Duplex ma
chine rounded the turn and sped down
| the straight stretch, it's mechanician
staring back over his shoulder at the
wreck. But Floyd brushed the girlish
| curls off his forehead and staggered
erect, helpless laughter shaking him.
| Call you? think you've got the
best disposition an the worst temper
ever saw! Tie this up an We'll right
the car We've got to be movln' on.
There were plenty Of sympathetic
helpers. Incredible to the witnesses,
but as Floyd had forseen, the Mercury
had not materially suffered. The big
car was rlghted by fifty hands; Stan
1 ton and Floyd--unaided, according TO
racing rules-put on the new tires,
and took their seats amid hearty ad-
miration and good wishes.
Twenty minutes after she left the
| course. the Mercury shot down 1t once
more. BY the time the grand stand
was fully aware that, Stanton had got
| his again." and the ambulance had
been hurried changing to the scene Of
i the possible tragedy, the Mercury
whirled past the judges, running more
comet-like than ever.
But Stanton took the turns con.
servatively; for him.
| The race was lost. Even Stanton
\ could not regain the half hour lead
/. given his competitors. Late in the
fourth hour he signaled Floyd to lean
closer, and when he was obeyed:
where's the Duplex?" he question.
ed eagerly.
"At it's repair pit for the last hour, .
4 Floyd made hopeful answer AN
there's only the Atalanta ahead OF
u.s."
Stanton shook his head, but let out
his car little faster
I. The Mercury came across the line,
at the finish. just five minutes behind
i the Atalanta; to receive fully as great
an ovation as the winning car The
spectacular driving, the record of the
fastest lap and highest speed ever
made on that course, the second place
/ won in spite of the accident, almost
eclpsed the Atalanta's victory.
| In the midst of the joyous tumult
Floyd descended, stiff and weary
enough after the continuous run OF
five hours and fifty-eight minutes. But
Stanton did not follow; leaning upon
his steering wheel, the focus of snap
ping cameras. curious crowds and
blended congratulations and sympathy
Only when one Of the judges came
over to shake hands, was the explana
ton made evident.
IF | am to get out, some one will
have to help me- announced Stanton
.|impassively, and unclasped his mask
barring face gray with exhaustion un
der it's coating of caked dust.
4 AMI, in fact, it was necessary to
/ aid the oramped, over taxed driver 10
disnount from his car; to the wonde,
of all those familiar with his usual
superh endurance.
IA