Evening star., 1933-04-25
NOTE, Rio de Janeiro. - A
rather complicated history, in
volving the disappearance of
an auto truck, has just come to

1 "A an auto truck, has just come to
happy ending, much to the
surprise, though certainly not the regret,
of the persons justly concerned. About
three days ago representative OF de-
partment store in Sac Paulo, the widely
known Empresa Rodovia, came to this
city in a truck belonging to his en-
ployers and driven by one of their chauf-
feurs The representative made selec-
tions of goods for his firm at the vari-
GUS warehouses of the wholesalers, pur-
chasing silks, satins, shoes and cloth
ing already manufactured. amounting to
some 10000 milreis $4,000. This
merchandise was duly loaded on tn
truck belonging to the Empresa Rodo-
via and intrusted to the chauffeur, Bon
ifacio Maufer. to convey to the estab-
| lishment at Sac Paulo, distance, as
many of us know, of about $50 kilo-
meters (220 niles. A friend OF Mau-
| fers who wished to go to Sac Pauo went
along as guard and helper and the en-
tire distance should have been accom-
plished in some 10 hours.
However, q full day elapsed after the
representative had telegraphed his en-
ployers of the departure Of the truck
and there was still no sign Of its ar
rival Notified in turn to this effect,
the representative hired private car
and travelled the same route that Mau-
fer had been expected to take. He had
traversed half the distance between the
two capitals when be espied. drawn up
at the side of the road, the missing
truck, cargo intact, while the chauffeur,
Bonifacio Maufer, and his friend, Ca
nuto Moreira, were sitting under tree
| playing cards.
It seems that at a distance OF some
| 10 kilometers or so from the Campo dos
Affonsos, one Of the tires Of the truck
sustained a puncture and the vehicle
could proceed no further. There was
neither an extra tire nor materials Tor
repair among the tools and equipment
of the vehicle and the men were IN a
quandary Just what to do.
Maufer suggested that More1ra walk
either to Campo dos Affonsos. In one
direction, or to Paulicea, IN the other'
and get a new pneumatic. Morelra
thought it would be better if Maufer
took the walk. Maufer, he contended,
knew better just what sort of tire the
| wheel needed. As for himself. he had
once been a policeman in Bello Hori-
| zonte, had worn q splendid uniform
with plenty of gold braid and knew
| far better than Maufer how to guard
the truck and cargo Of the Empresa
Rodovia. The consequence was neither
| departed to secure the tire or ma
terials to repair the damaged one; they
decided instead to wait beside the road
until some kind fellow-traveler ap-
peared, willing and able to help them
Unfortunately, though, most OF the
motorists coming along the road (and
there were not very many, while
willing to help, were unable to do 80
for another implement that Maufer
had forgotten was the lever for raising
| the axle; none of their chance &C
quaintances had one powerful enough
So there was nothing to do but pass
away the time and await the outcome
which was that the buyer for Empresa
| Rodovia came along, saw their predica-
ment and, driving on to Campo dos
Affonsos, returned with the necessary
pneumatic.
Eventually the merchandise belong
ing to the Empresa Rodovia will reach
Sac Paulo, but so far as our chronicles
extend at present that success Is not
yet a matter Of accomplishment. One
thing, we believe, is certain. The En-
presa Rodovia, Sociedade Limitada, viii
very likely ship its bolts of cloth here
after by the railroad. In such case
there will not be 80 much uncertainty
about the whereabouts, or the safety
considering both robbers and the ele.
ments, of consignments to the value Of
$4,000 milreis.