The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1917-01-04
FOLEY KIDNEY PILLS
EnR RACNhcHE KIDNEYS AND BLADDER
THE "FLIVVER. I"

For sAGNl

The other day man who had acquired
one of those big batteship-looklng cars
that are mostly engine and go along the
road like runaway express train, passed
the owner of one of those little gas
wagons that made Detroit famous up
above the Bluffs, and couldn't help fling
ing out over his shoulder one of those
characteristic insulting remarks that the
public seems to delight heaping upon the
"Flivver" owners. 1t doesn't matter
whether it was that one with whiskers
on it Hey, mister, you We dropped your
can-opener," or that other moldy chest
nut "Where's the other one? Thought
they sold those things two for quarter"
Nevertheless. the "Flivver" driver did
some thinking, and by and by he met the
Times editor and relieved his mind by I'M
loading his grievances upon him. That
they both happened to know that the
big car owner had by no means paid all
the cost of his big liner, and that it was
secured by chattel mortgage for the
payment of the rest, was fact that en-
tered largely into the thoughts of each,
for The Times man drives ''Fiivver,"
too, and the jests were old stories to
him.
Coming down to analyze the question,
just what particularly humor should
there be In a low priced, comfortable
automobile that everyb' dy can drive
with little expense ard which, as If as
performance and looks go, is tremen-
dous success? A car that grew in num-
Der from rs, 900 in 1912, 100000 in 1918,
300, 900 the next year, and which passed
the million mark some time ago, has
proved its successful qualities. 1t isn't
sign of poverty to drive one, for it re-
presents an investment of about $500,
about the cost of good driving horse
and nobody makes fun of a good animal
and outfit. Moreover, there are score
of instances of Bar Harbor's millionaire
summer set who own and drive almost
every day in the year cars of the same
make, when they could afford the highest
priced motor made.
To the unprecedented mind, it looks in
tinitely more ridiculous to see a man
driving big houseboat of a car which he
has oftentimes not been able to pay for
fully, and the upkeep of which is alto
gether beyond his means. There is 3
place for everything. The man of mod
crate means who can afford horse and
buggy would look ridiculous driving
victoria, especially if he used it for de-
livery wagon.
There is time and place for all
things. The light, cheap car, which will
go where the driver wants it, and get
back, which will arrive safely over
rough, muddy roads where the big car
gets stuck and has to stay, which can be
driven at a cost of two cents a mile or
whereabouts, which will climb the Steep
est hills, is no joke, but very comfort
able reality. 1t has brought comfort
and pleasure to thousands who would
otherwise be confined to narrow radius.
1t has brought remote country villages
into touch with their neighboring towns.
1t has made life more livable on many an
isolated farm. 1t has saved hours of
time for several millions of people. 1t
has meant hours of enjoyment in the
fresh open air for shut-ins who would
otherwise have been confined to the
walls of their home. 1t has been one of
the big achievements of the twentieth
century.
On the whole, it looks as if the owner
of the little car was the one who should
wear the smile.