Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1922-05-18

fell asleep-but even then they did
not talk Of 1t quite 90 long as their
host worked cleaning up the car after
the trip. Wheeler kept the automobile
now in a neighbours barn and took
h care Of It himself; 1t was much cheap
er than keeping 1t In Dearborn's ga
rage.
There were several other friends In
the AS and BIS and two In the Cs who
were taken out in the Wheeler automo-
bile before Herbert one day groaned :
"Jessica, this alphabet business is
! killing me. 1t does seem as II 2 never
would be reached"
"Why, Herbert land they're all our
friends, and you know how much they
think Of ) It." Il
II think of 1t, too, when the dinner
checks and the supper checks come
in. Jessica, we just simply can't stand
it,"
Jessica frowned and sighed.
II know, dear; but when the car
didn't cost anything"
"Well lobster salads and chicken
patties cost something" mentioned the
man grimly.
II know 1t; but 1t seems $3.50 sell
fish to go all by ourselves with those
empty seats behind us. And there are
so many have promised to take. Her
bert, what can we do?"
II don't know; but I know what we
can't do. We can't feed them to the
tune of dollar or two plate any
longer"
There was long pause; then Jes-
sica clapped her hands.
Herbert, have 1t! Well have has.
ket picnics. I'll take lunch from the
house every time. And, after all,
that'll be lots nicer; don't you think
sor'
"well, that might do" acquiesced
the man slowly. anyhow, there
wouldn't be any dinner checks accom-
ing"
August passed and September came.
The Wheelers were in IN" now; they
had been for days, indeed. Even
home-prepared luncheons were beyond
the Wheelers' pocketbook now, and no
friend had been invited to ride for a
week past. The spelling of two tires
and rather serious accident to the
machine had necsssitated the Wheel
:ers spending every spare cent for re-
pairs.
In the eyes Of most Of the town the
Wheelers were objects Of envy. They
had an automobile. They could ride
while others must plod along behind
them on foot, blinded by their dust
and sickened by their noisome odor
Of gasoline.
As long as the Wheelers were ode
Gently hospitable" about sharing their
car, the townspeople added to their
envy an interested tolerance based on
a lively speculation as to when ones
own turn for ride would come; but
when whole week went by, and not
one of the many anxious would-be
guests had been invited, the interest
and the tolerance fled, leaving only an
angry disdain as destructive to happi.
ness as was the gasoline smell Of the
ear itself.
There were some things, however
that the townspeople did not know,
THEY did not know that, though the
Wheelers had motor-car, they had
) almost nothing else; no new clothes
except dust coats and goggles; no new
books and magazines. except such AZ
dealt with ''the practical upkeep and
operation Of car" no leisure. for the
car must be kept repaired and shin
ing; no fresh vegetables to eat, fol
the garden had died long ago from
want Of care, and they could buy only
gasoline. But they did have an auto.
mobile. This much the town knew;
and there came day when this fact
doomed large and ominous on the hor.
lion Of the Wheeler's destiny. !.
On the first day Of October the bank
in which young Wheeler worked closed
Its doors. There had been q defalca.
tlon. A large sum Of money was miss
Ing. and the long finger Of suspicion
pointed to Herbert Wheeler.
4lu ue not sport Ill dutOdQODlA0
WAS he not living far beyond his
tmeans1 Had not the Wheelers TO,
weeks past Haunted their ill-gotten
wealth In the very eyes Of the whole
town.
And 30 the town talked ana wagged
hts head, and back In the tiny house
jim the midst Of Its unkept lawn and
garden sat the angry. frightened. and
Appalled, Herbert Wheeler, and JeBaca
his wifA =
!, IN vain did the wheelers point gu,
THAT tl1e automobile was . gift. II
ipain did they hare to Doubling esea
|the whole pittful poverty q their daily
lli1e. The towp refused to see, Or t
understand /; I'm the towns eyes waa
the vision Of the wheeler automobirt
flying through the streets with sci
inshry empty seats; IN the towns nose
was the hateful smell Of gasoline
Nothing else stgnined.
70 the bank examiners, however
something else did signify Bnt II tool
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