The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-09-26
ON THE HIGH, SAFE ROAD.
Ancient Institutions Revived by the
Gasless Sunday.


To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sr: The
aims and ambitions of a tramp and an
autocrat are in popular estimation at
the extreme poles OF attraction. But
popular estimation is once more wrong,
for the essential qualities of a tramp
and an autocrat as far as the question
OF rule is involved are identical. One
aims to have influence radlate from an
unrecognized centre Of force and the
other from a recognized one--from a
two bit q night lodging house or from
q State house.
Authorized and unauthorized autoc-
racy were in blissful accord Sunday, for
the ramps had their day on the high
ways undisturbed by gasolene or noise.
An autocrat who could enforce his will
had once moro driven the owners Of
high powered motor cars OF the high
ways. So unauthorized autocracy takes
Its hat Off to authorized autocracy for
enforcing a mandate that 1t wished TO
but could not make effective from the
unauthorized capital OF force in two
bit lodging house.
1t was a day on which pedal locomo-
tion was redivivus. The asphalted high
roads all over the United States-if
those within n radius OF the distance
of good hiker can make In O two hour
tramp from the centre OF this burg are
a criterion-must have been as crowded
with people on their pins as Fifth ave-
~ 10 70 he Aatn
Library between the hours of and s
o'clock of fair afternoon.
Let me report that ! actually saw
old fashioned buggies with spoonlng
couples in them taking a smoother
course than true love is apt to pursue
with tin Lizzies rampant. Thoughts by
the wayside that have been overlooking
were actually drunk dry. Baby car
riages with real live infants in them,
asleep or kicking and cooling. were
actually trundled peacefully where the
erstwhile scorcher at wheel was wont
to go through like a streak of CREASED
lightning. 1t was a noticeably dull and
| altogether discouraging day for the
itching palms of town constables.
The road from Summit to Westheld
tarred and unoiled, and strung sparsely
| with farmsteads-a wayside where nor
mally you are distraught by no sounds
save those Of the cluck of leghorn hens
| or the cav of crows in predatory flight
| over cornfieds.
Trudging along this peaceful byway
! was suddenly startled by a sound that
was altogether inappropriate to the
silence OF God-fearing Sabbath day
Looking behind me j saw q Single
| team" approaching--a lank horse with
at least three gaits before an ancient
and spoke dried buggy. The nag broke
alternately from Pace to n trot TO a
canter. and stood out of the middle
| OF the road to learn what a gasless Sun
day had developed in the way OF sport
| ing blood. AS 1t neared me / saw tina,
| its daring occupant was an old chap OF
about eighty. With set teeth he held
n taut rein over a steed that was
pounding the road with n ring of hoofs
| that might have rivallcd those of Pau
Reveres charger on his historic ride
through MiddleseN.
On each side OF him. but In coy re.
tirement was maiden of about sew.
enty. Both OF these were abeam witt
the high citation that real sprint in.
tects into the blood. and each congratu.
lating herself that Abner didn't have
one free arm to Irvine around the wais
of her rival. Tramp and autocrat as
am, I thanked God that no authorized
or unauthorized autocrat could interfere
with tho versatile gait of livery horse
that feels Its oats. or crush the bound
ing spirits OF a real sport
F1NDI.AY ShCKETT.
SUMMIT. n. j.. September rs.