The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1912-04-09
EcHAIPTER d.
Wreek of3the Taxleab.

The y0ung woman in the taxicab
scnftllhg frantically down the dark
street. chung to The arm OF the young
man alongside, as II she were terri;
ned 1t he la&bfeadng, neck-rtsktng
epesd. hut evidently some greater
g0ad ed her, for she gasped:
can't he 60 a little faster?|
Can't yoti 20 a little faster? The
young man alongside howled as he
thrust his head and shoulders through
the window IN the door.
Bat the seif7created taxigale swept
his voice atl, and the taut chauffeur
pefked his ear in vain to catch the
y9Itshing syllablesS
What's that?H he roared.
Cant YOU go a little faster?"
The indignant charioteer simply
had sto shoot one barbed glare OF re-
proach into that passenger. He turned
his head and growled:
SLY, do yotse want to lose me me
license2
For Just one instant he turned MS
head. one instant was just enough.
The unguarded taxlcab seized the op.
I 4 porthnity. bolted from the track, and
fiung, as 1t were. its arms drunkenfy
around perfectly respectable lamp
post attending strictly to its business
on the curb. There ensued con-
densed Fourth OF July. Sparks few
dies exploded, metals ripped, two
wheels spun in air and one wheel,
neatly severed at the axle, went reel
ing down the sidewalk half block
before II leaned against tree and
rested
dozen or more miracles coincided
20 save the passengers from injury
The young man found himself stand
iii On the pavement with the un-
hinged door still around his neck. The
Young woman's arms were round MS
4 neck Her head was on his shoulder.
II had reposed there often enough
but never before in the street under a
sIamppost. The chauffeur found him
seIf In the road, walking about on all
tours like a bewildered quadruped'
Evidently some oyerpowering need
for speed possessed the young won-
al. for even now she did not scream,
shes did not faint, she did not muir
MIN, Where am ~ She simply said:
aWhat time is 1t, honeyS'
\ Il And the young man, not realizing
how befnddIed he really was, or how
his hand trembled, fetched out his
watch and held it under the glow OF
the lamppost, which was now bent
over in a convenient but disreputable
attitude.
quarter to ten, sweetheart.
plenty Of time for the train"
i,Blt the minister, honey! What
about the minister?
The consideration Of this riddle<was
interrupted by mufled hubbub OF
yelps. whimpers and canine mysteries.
Immediately the young woman forgot
ninisters; collisions, train-schedules-
everything. She showed her first sign
OF panic.
',snooaleums! Get Snoozleums!"
They CROPPED about in the topsy'
tuWy taxicab, rummaged among a
tumble OF suitcases, handbags, UNI
brellas and minor lmpedimenta, and
tished out small dog-basket with an
inverted dog inside, Spoozleums was
ridiculous in any position, but as he
sid tail foremost from the wicker
4 basket, he resembled nothing 80 much
as d heap OF tangled yarn tumbling
out, Of q work-basket. He was an In
dignant skein, and had much to say
before he consented to snuggle under
hts mistress chin,
q About this tlmethe chauffeur came
proYlIng into view, He was too deep
" shocked to emit any language OF
the garage. He was too deeply
shocked to achieve any comment more
brilliant than;
THAT mess don't look much like 1t
ever was taxicab, does it?"
The young man shrugged his shout
.a ders, and stared up and down the
long street for another. The young
woman looked sorrowrulIy at the
wreck, and queried;
do yotrthink you can make 1t go?'
The chauffeur glanced her way
noFein pity for her whole sex than In
scorn for this one type, as he mum
ri - -