New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1912-04-03
r." Dick Strengthened his

|
water" He Demanded rsrssIy.
chubby figure. Break of with you.
Les"
go on. My name il Lestranse now
and always"
A shrek from tho Official klaxon
summoned the racers, Rupert swung
back to his seat. Dick reached up his
hand to the other in the first really
dignified moment of his life.
I'm glad you're my kin, Lestrange,'
he said. 1--WE liked you anyhow, but
I'm glad, just the same. And don't
care what rot they say of you. Take
care of yourself"
Lestrange barred his hand to return
the clasp, his warm smile flashing to
his cousin; then the swirl Of prepara-
ton swept between them and Dick
next saw him as part of one Of tho
throbbing, flaming row Of machines
before the judges stand.
| 1t was not tranquilizing expert.
ence for an amateur to witness the
start, when the fourteen powerful cars
sprang simultaneously for the first
curve, struggling for possession Of the
narrow track In wheel to wheel con.
test where one mistouch meant the
wreck Of many. After that first view,
Dick sat weakly down on an oil barrel
and watched the race in state Of
fascinated endurance.
The golden and violet sunset melted
pearl-like into the black cup of night.
The glare Of many searchlights made
the track glistening band of white,
around which circled the cars, them.
selves gemmed with white and Grim.
son lamps. The cheers Of the peo-
pie as the lead was taken by one "a
vorite or another, the hum of voices.
the music and uproar of the machines
blended into web of sound indescrib-
able. The spectacle was at once ul.
tramodern and classic In antiquity Of
conception.
At eight o'clock Lestrange came fly
ing in, sent of the track to have .
lamp relighted.
water" he demanded tersely, in
the sixty seconds of the stop, and
laughed openly at Dicks expression
while he took the cup. .,
"Why didn't you light it out there"
asked the novice, infected by the speed |
fever around him.
Forgot our Matches" Rupert flung |
over his shoulder, as they dashed out
again. ID
An oil-smeared mechanic patroniz-
ingly explained:
you can't have cars manicuring all |
over the track and people tripping
over 'em. You get sent off to light up.
and if you don't go they fine you laps
made"
Machines darted in and out from
their camps at intervals, each waking
a frenzy Of excitement among its men.
At ten o'clock the Mercury car came
in again, this time limping with fiat
tire, to be fallen on by its mechanics.
"We're leading, but we'll lose by
this" said Lestrange, Slipping out to
relax and meditatively contemplating
the alternate driver, who was standing
across the camp. "Ffrench, at twelve
III have to come in to rest some, and
turn my machine over to the other
man. And 1 won't have him wrecking
it for me. want you, as owner, to
give him absolute orders to do no
speeding; let him hold a fifty-two
mile an hour average until take the
wheel again."
"Me?"
ri can't do it. You, of course"
"You could" Dick answered. "Pve
been thinking how you and will run
that factory together It's all stuff
about your going away; why should
you? You and your father take me
as junior partner, you know I'm not
big enough for anything else.'
You're mans size," Lestrange as
'ured, a hand on his shoulder. But
1T won't do. I'll not forget the offer.
hough, never"
"All on!" . dozen voices signalods