The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-06-05
JOE B|CkERSTAFF
BIDS FRIENDS AD|EU
to Leaving on Trans CONT
mental Auto Tour

The invitation is mine; the oppor-
tunity Is yours is the way the invi-
tations to Joe Bickerstaffs blow
out last night. preparatory to de-
parture of himself and John c.
Fletcher for Frisco via automobile
read. and those who did not avail
themselves OF the opportunity missed
rare treat
Bickenstaff-and his friends, who
are legion. say that there is only ono
Joe--w1th his lifelong friend, John
Fletcher, will leave this morning at
O'Clock tor Washington on the first
leg Of their cross-continent journey.
Bickerstaff says that he and John
have good many things In COM
mon. For instance, both smoke a
pipe: both ride bicycles; both under
sand automobile and--right here we
are going TO let the many friends OF
the pair who perhaps may not know
1t, into secret-both are movie"
fans.
Joe conceived the idea Of inviting
his friends to his home. at 1918 Lamb
avenue, Barton Heights. to bid him
adieu and Godspeed. You've got to
hand 1t to Joe. 1t was clever idea.
How well II succeeded is best at
tested by the number who responded
to his hearty invitation When noses
were counted last night II was figured
that upwards of eighty were on hand.
They include lifelong friends Of Mr..
and Mrs. Bickerstaff and the friends
Of the Bickerstan offshoots.
If Joe and Mrs. Joe overlooked any
thing to make the two and a half
hours sojourn OF their friends enjoy
able. Hoyle doesn't record It. and
Hoyle usually is equal to any and ev-
cry occasion. Joe was the original
"glad-hander." and he was ably aided
and abctted by his delightful daughter.
Miss Annie Bickerstaf. II. when they
had said goodnight to their host,
everyone else. it certainly wasn't the
fault Of either Joe or Miss Bicker-
staff
Chairs were scattered about the
spacious lawn. which was canopied
with varie-colored Japanese lanterns.
TO which the ladies repaired. while
their male friends gathered about in
groups. helped themselves to cigars
which Joe generously passed around.
and discussed the league OF nations,
the eighteenth amendment to the con-
stitution of the United States. the
Austrian peace treaty, the prospects
OF the Colts. and divers and sundry
subjects which just now are absorb
Ing the country at large.
strains from an orchestra directed
by Herbert REESE were waited throukh
open windows and doorways and ala
much to add to the pleasure OF the
guests. and bevy of winsome young
women passed around ice cream and
cake. sailed peanuts after-dinner
mints and punch
Joe conducted each fresh arrival
over tour Of inspection Of what he
takes great pride In describing as
his automobile hotel" joe. who is
something OF wizard when it comes
to Inventions Of labor saying and COM
fort providing nature. ha. trans
formed Ave passenger Ford car into
combination automobile, dining car
and Pullman sleeping palace. Pro-
vision has been made for transports
ing OF provender sufficient to supply
two persons two or three days, cook
Ing devices have been rigeed UP In most
compact form. every device being
designed on the fold -ur plan: the
back Of the front seat has been de-
tached and hinged. 10 that It may be
let down and link front and rear seats
70 form double bed OF no mean COM
fort. ~.
+. II is purposed by the travellers TO
improvised house On wheels-and
worse accommodations are to be.
found In metropolitan cities. Either
dde Of the car bears = stroamer carry
linz the words, "Richmond, Va. 10
Frisco. Joe says NJ win not over.
look IN opportunity. both On thn out.
g0ing ana return trip. to aAvortiao
Htchuson0--And the BiekerGGa& eakabr.
llehnaents The - Aaa 6oon o1totfeAI
l5 y Z W