The Elk Mountain pilot., 1921-02-10
De Bergerac of
the Boes
~ AUGUSTUS WHITFIELD
tcopyrisht.,


engineered another meeting between
Monk and the individual with the
watery eyes. After an interchange Of
courtesies. the Individual with the
watery weeps inquired: Have you had
any more of those remarkable advcn-
lures since saw you last?"
Have II" queried Monk. "Why. I've
had the time of my life. I've been
hoBnobbing with the Hartman Of the
highways. Doing stunts In an automo-
bile with the only and original auto
hobo Of America.
"One afternoon l was doing the at
home stunt meath the shade of the old
apple-tree. when stranger hove in
sight, wiped his feet on the Welcome
mat. and proceeded to ingratiate him
self.
HE requested me to awaken him
should an auto bearing his crest put
in an appearance, and was soon pound
ing his auricular appendage on the
herbaceous hummock.
"As lolled and dreamed. a machine
came along. The only occupant asked
me whether had seen m Individual
meandering around who 0ked like
an imitation of Richard Mansfield.
II associated his meager description
with the personality Of my guest, and
Informed the proud pleasure-pilot that
the great Cyrano was doing the by-by
act meath the pippin-tree.
''The clipper chauffeur strobe over
to the slumberer and shook him. De
Bergerac awoke and cast his optics
over the moving picture show. Then
he INDUCED In a conversation with the
naughty autoist, who finally handed
him some bills and took his departure.
Then approached the guest of honor,
and. by judicious questioning. ELECTED
the information that the auto belonged
to him.
II expressed my doubts as to his
ability to run the auto. but he assured
me that he was an expert. Then he
started the engine and we climbed in.
De Bergerac said we would take a run
up to Lake Nocopo. a swell summer
resort. We finally reached the lake.
and had our first view of the classy re-
sort from the lower end.
"De Bergerac brought his machine
to stop, that we might enjoy the
witchery of the scene. Coming across
the water toward us was a canoe, con-
tanning young man and young wom-
an. The feminine end of the combipa-
tion was furnishing the motive power,
while the Cholly-boy seemed to be
content with looking picturesque and
puny.
'On they came, gliding over the wa
ter, when suddenly that mollycoddle
masculine made fool move and up
set the birch bateau. The girl came up
first, and, grabbing the struggling
shrimp by the back Of the neck. she
swan with him to the overturned
craft.
"De Bergerac. realizing her predica-
ment, remarked that II was evidently
up to us to do the heroic rescue act.
How do you propose to capture the
Carnegie compensation inquired.
de Bergerac thought for moment,
then he jumped from the car and got
busy detaching the tires from the
wheels. Then he>picked up the tires
and made for the lake. bidding me to
do likewise.
Il followed De Bergerac into the
chilly water. After about ten min
,utes' hard work. we reached the dis
fressed damsel and her companion.
and De Bergerac instructed them as to
the method Of putting a lIfe-preserver
on straight
when the pocket-edition of mascu-
Unity had gotten himself comfortably
ensconced in his life-preserver, he
.fumbled in his coat pocket and pulled
out his card-case. With difiiculty he
opened it and took out a damp card.
He handed 1t to De Bergerac. saying:
"T feel that the conventfonalities
should be observed before we proceed
further. Permit me to introduce my
self
AFTER the formalities had been OBJ
served, De .Bergerac approached the
fair maiden and said:
"Miss Pendelton. may / have the
honor of saving your life?'
Fair Geraldine smiled her assent.
Then. while steadied 1t, he assisted
her to re-embark.
I'VE proceeded shoreward. guided by
the skillful strokes of the versatile
volunteer. and eventually landed.
"When the guests heard of the
heroic rescue, they lionized that Car
negie hero"
II suppose" ventured the individual
with the watery eyes. that your
friend with the histrionic handle mar
ried the water-nymph and lived happy
ever afterward?"
mo" replied Monk. fiction may
flourish. but truth will prevail. AS a
chronicler of facts. have no other re-
course than to announce the union of
the house of Pendelton with that of