Sioux County pioneer., 1922-03-30

IN TWELVE HUNDRED DOL
LARS year the Wheelers had
contrtved to live thus far with some
comforts and few luxuries-they had
been married two years. Genial, fun
loving, and hospitable, they had even
entertained occasionally but Brainerd
was modest town, and Its -Four Hun
dred was not given to lavish display,
In the bank Herbert Wheeler spent
long hours handling money that was
not his only to hurry home and spend
other long hours over a. tiny lawn and
q timer garden. where every blade of
grass and every lettuce-head were
marvels Of grace and beauty, simply
because they were his.
It was June now, and the lawn and
the garden were very important; but
1t was on June morning. that the
large blue envelope came. Herbert
went home that night and burst into
the, kitchen like a whirlwind.
"Jessica, we've got one at last" he
cried.
"One what9"
"An automobile"
Jessica sat down helplessly. In each
hand she held an egg-she had been
selecting two big ones for an omelet.
Herbert, are you crazy7 What are
you talking about?" she demanded:
"About our automobile, to be sure"
he retorted. "'Twas Cousin Johns.
I, heard today-he's left 1t to u.s."
ITO US! But we hardly knew him,
and he was only third or fourth
cousin, anyway, wasn't he2 Why, we
never even thought Of going to the
funeral!"
II know; but he was a queer old
codger, and he took great fancy to
you when he saw you. Don't you re-
member7 Anyhow, the deed is done."
"And it's ours?-a whole automo-
bile?"
r "That's what they say-and it's a
#three-thousand-dollar car"
"Oh, Herbert!" When Jessica was
pleased she clapped her hands; she
clapped them now-or. rather she
clapped the eggs-and In the result
ing disaster even the automobile was
for moment forgotten. But for only
moment.
"And to think how we've wanted an
automobile!" she cried, when the i'm.
promptu omelet In her lap had been
banished into oblivion. ''The rides
we'll have-and we won't be pigs |!
Wen take our friends!"
s1ndeed we WILL" agreed Herbert.
"And our trips and vacations, and
even down town-why, we won't need
any carfare. Well save money, Her
bert, lots Of money!"
"Erwell, an auto costs something
to run, you know" ventured Herbert
Gasoline, Course but what's a
little gasoline? fancy we can afford
that when we get the whole car for
nothingl'
"Well, I should say!" chuckled the
man.
Where is it now7"
I'm the garage on the estate" re-
turned Herbert, consulting his letter.
"I'm requested to take it away"
Requested! Only fancy! AS IL we
weren't dying to take it away!"
Eyes, but-how?" The mans face
had grown suddenly perplexed.
"Why, 60 and get it, OF course"
"But one can't walk in and pocket
a motor-car as one would package
Of greenbacks."
"Of course not! But you can get It
and run it home. It's only fifty miles,
anyhow"
Il don't know how to run an auto
mobile. Besides, there's licenses and
things that have to be tended to first,
I think"
"well, somebody can run it, can't
they
..Well. yes, l suppose so. But
where are we going to keep it,"
Herbert Wheeler, one would think
you were displeased that we've been
given this automobile. AS II It mat
tered where we kept It, so long as we
had Il to keep!"
'.Yes, but-really. Jessica. we can't
keep It here In the Kitchen. he cried.
"It's smashed two eggs already, just
the mention Of it." he finished whim-
sically.
"But there are garages and
things, Herbert; you know there are"
Eyes, but they cost something"
Il know t.; but II the car is ours
for nothing, seems as II we might be
able 10 afford it's board and keep !"
4 "Well, BY George 1t does. Jessica':
that . fact" cried the man, starting
to his feet. There's Dearborn's down
to the Square. I'll go and see them
about Il They'll know. too. how to
get Il here. I'll go down right after
supper. And. by the way, how about
that omelet1 Did our new automobile
leave any eggs to make onef
well, q few" laughed Jessica.
1 There was; no elation in Herbert
Wheeler's step when two honrs later.
the youns bank teller came home from
Dearborn's.
lH... VS. = Ht~s . 4 sslft /.