Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1916-01-07

road came close to collision with the
frafI ambulance Sometimes q driver,
far in front, contrary to rules. lighted
a match and the thing Jared over the
country Ike an arc light In order to
drive at all II was necessary to blow
the horn constantly and hug the right
| side Of the road a. closely al safety
/ allowed.
Mailman Becomes Restless.
AT the village Of II. half way
to the hospital, the mailman on the
seat grew restless. He began TO add
to my troubles by grabbing the wheel
at unexpected intervals, turning the
car from its course. After each occa-
sion he gave gurgle OF approval and
muttsred something in dialect did
not understand, but evidently getting
more amusement out o. IT than l. He
was little fellow and did not fear
him physically.
After several sudden lurchea, when
grabbing the wheel seemed to be be-
coming a habit with him, began to
pat him On the back and LOOK an1ious-
ly in the direction OF the hospital,
about three miles away. was afraid
the fellow inside might make trouble
Once, on losing the sense OF direc-
ton, after being turned from my
course, / stopped and dismounted to
find the right OF the road. Several
feet In advance OF the car | walked
into something hard. ! discovered
wagon stationary on the road a short
distance In front with load OF long
raillike burs projecting over the rear
end.
Suddenly there was big blaze OF
light from the back. stopped short,
wondering what had happened. Look
ing back through window in the can
vas body OF the car ! saw the soldier
inside crouching on the stretcner hold
ing about half a box OF lighted
matches In his hands. He was trying
TO light a cigarette.
with his face toward the floor OF
the car he raised the score or so OF
burning matches to his mouth In
stantly there was sizZle OF mustache,
a loud cough and grunt. and the luna
tic franticaIIy threw the flaming sticks
over the car.
Lunstie Lit His Cigarette.
Il jumped of and ran back to pre-
vent the flames from spreading. When
! got around the passenger inside was
putting nonchalantly at cigarette as
though nothing had happened.
But the other fellow was gone.
After a few minutes search ! was
about to give up when l heard con-
fusion OF voices within the ambulance.
Fastening to the back again l saw
that my friend had made his way into
the car without my noticing 1t and the
two were now arguing in dangerous
voices on different subjects After
agreeing to many things finally got
the fellow back on the seat with me
and we continued.
THE two remained quiet until with
in a quarter mile Of the hospital. At
this point the road branches on up a
long winding hill Taking the road
the car Iurched sharply over gutter.
Probably the soldier inside had been
looking out OF the little window 10
the canvas at the front Of the car for
as the car lurched felt him brush
roughly against our backs to the side.
Immediately he seemed to have an
idea that his companion was at fault.
and instantly drove his fist into the
canvas, catching the soldier on the
seat in the back. The rest of the trip
was lively enough; while the maniac
in front alternately tried to jump of
and sink his elbow into the canvas at
his companion the latter pounded a
hole through the canvas to reach him.
Busy With the Maniacs.
ION the road near the point we had
reached q sentinel is stationed day