Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1914-03-11

toward him. 1t was touring car, big
and blue. An elderly gentleman. fat.
serious, important, was at the wheel.
Beside him sat lady, and chauf-
feur languished in the tonneau.
Hello, Thomas" called the old
gentleman with the affability of per-
forming elephant, addressing the Wa
termelon by the name of his car. as
is the custom of the road.
"Hello, William" answered the Wa
termelon, wondering why they called
him Thomas.
The old gentleman flushed angrily
and the lady laughed, delightful
laugh of girlish amusement. The Wa
termelon smiled
I'VE are a Packard" explained the
old gentleman stif1y.
Are your" said the Watermelon.
wholly unimpressed by the informa-
ton. We'll, l amt Thomas"
Il called you by the name Of your
car" said the old gentleman. Il sur
mise that you have not had one long. "
81 don't feel as If / owned it now. "
the Watermelon admitted.
The old gentleman smiled genially.
Anything was pardonable but flip
pancy in response to his own utter
ances, none of which was ever lack
ing in weight or Importance. The
young man, 1t seemed, was only igno-
rant.
Are you in trouble?" he asked
with a CLEAN of anticipated pleasure
in his eyes. To tinker with a ma
chine and accomplish nothing but a
crying need for an immediate bath
was his dearest recreation.
mo-" said the Watermelon, thinking
of the three, ten, in the pocket of the
new clothes and of the lonely swim
mer. II ain't-yet"
The old gentleman was vaguely dis
appointed. Can you run your ma
chine?" he asked, hopeful OF reply
In the negative.
NO" said the Watermelon.
Wont go, eh?" The old gentle
man turned off the power in his car
and stepped forth, agilely, joyfully,
prepared to do irreparable damage to
the strangers car. He drew OF his
gloves and slipped them into hts
pocket, then for a moment he hest
tated.
Where is your chauffeur"
81 haven't one" said the Water
melon.
The old gentleman disapproved.
Until you know more about your
machine, you should have one" said
he oratorically. II am practically an
expert, and yet l always take mine
with me-"
He waved aside any comment on
his own meritorious conduct and fore
sight and turned to the machine.
Father" suggested the lady gently,
maybe you had better let Alphonse-"
Alphonse, sure of the reply, made
no move to alight and assist.
The old gentleman, with head near
ly out of sight, peering here and
there, tapping this and sounding that,
replied with evident annoyance. Ger
tainly not, Henrietta / am perfectly
capable"
His words trailed off into vague
mutterings.
The Watermelon glanced at the
lady, girl or woman, he was not sure
which. Between thirty and thirty-fve,
the unconquerable youth of the mod
ern age radiated from every fold of
her dainty frock, from the big hat
and graceful VEIL Her hair was soft
and brown and thick, her mouth was
rather large, thin-lipped and humor-
Gus, and yet pathetic, the mouth of
one who laughs through tears, seeing
the piteous, so closely intermingled
with the amusing. Her eyes were
brown, clever, with delicate brows
and a high, smooth forehead. The Wa
termelon decided that she was not
pretty, but distinctly classy. He
smiled at the friendliness he saw in
the eyes and turned to the old gentle
man, who was now thoroughly alb
sorbed.
81 need a monkey-wrench," said he.
81 thought at first that there was
something the matter with the car
buretor, but think now that 1t must
be in the crank shaft assembly.
ooh, yes" agreed the Watermelon
vaguely, and got the wrench from the
tool-box as directed.
teT til h0 hod hot