Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-10-12
CC'XV

C(HN
DEFoRE | say anything about the
ID salesmanshp class last night, l
must tell you OF the stunt we had with
F'rancis's new car.
say new car" but. of course, II is
a secondhand one. you remember. Wen,
we've just got back from u wild ride.
The cars all right and we plan to drive
to FHrmdale tomorrow. but the way she
acted tonight, oh boy!
Francis arranged to meet me at the
garage at 8 o'clock, and we were to ride
few miles out, have our supper at
some little restaurant and then get home
about o'clock. Francis had asked Mr..
and Mrs Semper to come with us, but
the old doctor and his wife. when they
earned that Francis had only Just got
his license and that 1t was second
hand car. decided very hastily that they
expected visitors, but perhaps some
other time"
Francis is good scout. He's a great
eye for the funny side of things. even
II the joke is on him, 50 he just laughed
ana said. II shall be delighted to have
the pleasure of your company at later
date"
Well, | turned up at the garage at 5
O'Clock, and there was Francis peering
at the engine
What's up?" | cried
a mufiled voice said. Nothing there's
just "A wire crossed somewhere and the
self-starter won't act"
lie had had u sclf-starter attached to
the car when he got II, for he didn't
take to the idea OF cranking the car.
He closed the hood. got into the car
and tried the self-starter. For min
ute nothing happened except IA slow
wheeztng sound from somewhere. Then,
all Of Il sudden. there were a number
Of bangs which made me jump. and a
good job. too. for the car made a back
ward dash for the wall of the garage
Francis had left the gears on in re-
verse or something. He got busy and
brought the car to "A stop about an inch
from tho wall
Gee, Francis" | gasped. that's some
warm squeak"
Not at ALL" he said calm as you
please. Il meant TO do that. 1t makes
| It easier to turn"
What he wanted to turn for | don't
know, for the garage man had pushed
he car till It was headed for the door.
| didn't have "A chance to say more, for
he maneuvered the car first one way and
then the other till it turned completely
around and was in position to back
out OF the door
| Get in, Peter" he said briskly
| ! got in cautiously and said, You're
headed the wron6 way, aren't you.
| Francis
mot at ALL" he said IT'S easier
to turn when ( get on to the road this
way"
Well. we got off at last and went
about as far as ll2th street when. with
out any warning. the car stopped dead
right In the trolley tracks
heard Francis mutter damn as he
climbed out and lifted the hood. He
booked wise for minute. did nothing
however. and then climbed in This time
the self-starter acted fine and the en-
gino made rare noise--louder even
than the trolley bells which were Clang.
ing impatiently to us to get out Of the
way.
| They needn't have got excited. w,
were as anxious to get out of their way
as they were to have us; at least, | was
for all New York seemed to be ther,
ieering at us.
Francis showed in the clutch and tn,
car gave a jerk and stopped again. II,
again worked the self-starter and once
more the engine ratified grandy. Ther
| heard him mutter. Damn, ! tried td
start her on high" He once more
| ''pN'N w Au' NlulNll HloNfi SlUNlN
off the tracks. at which newspap per
kid yelled, Ice Ice Anybody want
any ice? Look at the ice wagon. four
rabbit power!'
| Everybody laughed. but Francis
specded up and we were soon going
| along at "A great pace. In time we
came to a dlnky little restaurant where
We had supper
| You're great driver. Francis"
said Il didn't think you could do 50
well by the way you started"
'Oh, I'm no driver yet" he said. "but
I could see by his manner that he was
tickled TO be patted on the back. "but
! can manage pretty well. At any rate
I've studied the car and think can
| fix her In case Of trouble"
Well we got back in the car anC
| Francis showed the self-starter. The en-
gine gave sigh or two, but refused tC
| 60 Again and again he tried to star
her I'M finally he said. Il think Id bet
| ter hand crank her"
He did-and believe met was som,
stunt. | wanted to laugh. but Franci!
was getting red in the face. partly from
exercise and partly temper. so | didn't
Just as he was about to give UP tn,