The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-01-24
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
"A License to Drive.
BY r. RAY BAKER.

8 Newspaper Syndicate)
T. WINSTON reclined in a long
ing chair, newspaper dangling
from his hand, and through the
window Of the club admired his new
eight cylinder touring car.
In this world there were two per-
sons and one thing that AL really.
cared about. The persons were his
mother and Leona Lowell. The thing
WAS speed, as personified by the new
car.
Ills mother he loved as any regula,
SON loves his mother. Leona he loved
at least, he was under strong inn
prsssion that he loved her-as a pros
pect.ye wife. The speed-well, 1t was
the only thrill that thrilled him.
And yet AL could not drive that
automobile or any other automobile.
be was one Of those strangely consti-
tuted persons who cannot master the
art of managing a gasoline propeller
vehicle.
He knew. that in order to shift
geaTsit was necessary to throw out
the clutch, he understood that in
climbing a steep hill retarded spark
Is Of great assistance; in fact he was
fairly informed as to the principle OF
auto mechanism; but once he got be-
hind that wheel and felt the responsi-
bility OF guiding the car through the
lifting, dashing turmoil OF traffic, he
began to shake. It was some peculi-,
arity Of his nervous system. Most
people like to drive, but All detested
it.
But let somebody else take the
wheel with Al as passenger, and he
could not travel too fast. He, said
that speed helped to solve his business
problems, that It really was neces-
sary to the successful management OF
his big furniture factory. Whether 1t
was speed or common sense that was
responsible, AL had neat little for
tune that was expanding rapidly. He
was not as timid about business ven
lures as he was about driving a ma
chine.
Al sat at the window and admired
the big blue car and dreaded the hour,
which was fast approaching, when he
must pilot II to the office. Why did
he not have q chauffeur? Well, dur
ing the last year he had employed
Just six chauffeurs, each of them re-
signing after a brief term of service,
complaining OF a nervous breakdown
or something OF the kind. AL kept
shem going at such terrific speed that
they could not stand the strain, vet
Grams though they were. Open the
throttle q little wider, give her more
gas; I've almost solved this problem"
was the song he sang
Al started to sigh. but before it
was fully materialized it turned to
gasp, for he had seen his new car
start up suddenly from its place at the
curb and roll gently down the street,
there betng considerable OF grade
IN 'front.' of the club. He had forgot
ten TO set the emergency brake props
erly OF else had not jabbed the front
wheels sufficiently tight against the
eurb. Il
Al sprang to the door and looked
out in time to see the auto vanish
round the corner. He knew the grade
continued for several blocks on the
fntersecting street, and he. feared the
consequences. He started in pursuit,
but when he arrived at the corner the
car was not to be seen.
He stood there, undecided and wor-
ried, his black locks blowing from his
bare head.
Hey, mister, is this your buggy"
called a thrill little voice, and Al
turned to- see his machine roll up to
the curb from the direction opposite
TO that in which it was going when
he caught his last glimpse Of it. The
car came to stop and young wo-
man, clad In q brown tailored suit.
crawled from behind the wheel and
stepped 10 the walk.
AZ advanced to her.
Why-yes-yes, to be sure, it's
my car. Did-did you rescue it? Well,
thanks, ever SO much obliged"
Well all ] got to say" the girl OBJ
served with enthusiasm. "is that it's
some BUS I've driven about every
kind there is. but this has them ali
Deat. let her out on that side street
while going round the block: and she
travels we'll. I'd say"
Rather than jarrfng on him. the
slang. with its mixed pronouns. was
rather refreshing. 1t was moi much
like Leona Lowell's well modulated.
perfect English.
Well, how-how did you catch the
runaway?" he inquired. Someho-r ba
felt abashed before this active Young
woman.
oh. Just saw it ambling along by
ilseH II looked loensome, SO l horned
IN and took charge. II hadn't h
) would have smashed up a couple of
ltmousfnes that were in its way
Well, ] must be going. So long. Bet
ter watch your boss more closely !.
She started to walk away, but 4!
called:
Wait minute! Can't DO some
thing to- show my appreciaHon?p
mol unless you give rio Job. "I
And there was Domethtits rather wlSt-
M in her voice and fa2ial expression.
I'm on AWAY to hocx this SUIT OF,
don't want charity. Only lob,
where l earn what get.''
Il haven't any Rob to offer" he
SAID, regrettully. Tho only person /
need is chauffeur, but of course-'
he broke off. Laughing.
Give me the job!' the girl cried,
I'D love III"
AL started to laugh, but caught him
ssE. The girl was IN earnest: but
who ever heard of a girl.-stiil. why
should she be barred? Somehow. the
> !dea struck him favorably, perhaps
because OF Its tniqueness Al liked IN
nnyattons; he was constantly employ
lag them IN his business. Certainly
his would be an Innovation. =
u take you up on that he said
tbruptly. Drive me to the club.