The Wyandotte herald. (Wyandotte, Mich.) 1879-1943, 1939-02-17
Coll II Even
BY KARL cEarson
Q Associated Newspapers.
WNU Sery ~. =

was advised that he mad been men
toned in the old geltleman's will.
ITO my nephew, Kilburn BIa Ike. !
bequeath my Wimple autom obile
The news did not set Kilburn's
heart a-futter with palpitations of
fondness The Wimple automobile,
to be sure, was beautiful specimen
Of machinery. But the cost of own
ing and operating one was prohibit
tive, unless a mans yearly stipend
was in the five-figure class Which
Kilburn's wasn't. Indeed, on $50
week one would no ,raore think of
buying Wimple than investing in a
|. $l5, 900 house.
Kilburn's first thought was to Of
fer the Winfple as down payment on
a smaller and less expensive car.
Investigation, however, revealed
that the trade-in va Ie of Winples
was next to nil, due ) their lack Of
resale value.
1t was all rather disheartening.
Here he was stick wit, a piece Of
machinery he Couldn't use and for
which he was paying garage rent
and taxes. Why not have the thing
stolen and collect the insurance?
Well, why not? A noble thought. The
premium was paid for six months in
advance; the $500 for which the car
was insured would buy a new and
smaller machine. with money to
spare.
Kilburn had all kinds of faith in
human nature-so he drove the
Wimple up town the next day and
left it parked in q vacant lot with
the key in the ignition. When he
came for it that night-it was still
there.
The following evening, Kilburn
took his girl to the movies, and left
the Wimple, key In lock, on the
adjacent side street. Hopefully he
returned to the spot after the per-
formance-and not only found that
the automobile was present and in
tact, but ticket tucked under the
windshield wiper, informed him that
the side street had parking laws
and he'd better show up at the po-
lice station. AS soon as he was able
to buy gasoline again, he drove the
vehicle into that section of the city
known as the slums, the underworld,
the tough district. Parking it be-
fore a pool room he stroiled away
with hopeful nonchalance.
f. 4 :
Refusing however. to permit him
SELF to become too optimistic, he
remained away from the locale until
after midnight. He had read some
where that crime addicts worked
! better in the wee. small hours. Re-
turning to the pool fbom at 8 .. N.
he discovered to his disgust that
nothing had happened TO his legacy.
A fortnight later K{lburn drove to
the neighboring town Of Ridgefeld
to attend q party. AT 1880 Il &c
Cured to him to 60 iome. but upo9
attempting to put II plan into exc.
cution, he met with a obstacle. The
Wimple, which he had parked ID
front Of his friend 3 ouse. was miss
ing.
At first, Kilburn was elated. Con-
Germ. however, followed. There re-
manned the matter ots.getting hackto
the city, 10 miles di1taat. III lSxt
bus had gone, the parry had broken
up. and his friend : fbuse WAS dark.
There remained but single alter
native and Kilburn was forced to
take it. He located q tax stand
and negotiated for he necessary
transportation for q scnsideratien Of
500. Before leaving. however, he
apprised the local rssce Of the loss
Of his car, and duriny the ride home
he revived his spirit by thinking Of
the $500 insurance Money he would
receive.
The next morning be notified the
insurance company 1T the theft, and
went joyially to wotf.. That night
the skidG efeld polica called and ad-
vised him that thy had located
what was left Of The Wimple.
''How do you mean, what's left Of
it," kiIburn- asked.
Someone took il. for JOY ride
and ran into . stone wall. It's pref
~ badly demolished
"Oh." said Kilbarn. and hung up.
After . moments thought he
searched the classified section Of the
telephone directory and presently
called . number.
| els this the Rideefeld junk yard!"
he asked.
yes"
My car was. sl,Ashed up last
night on Brant stress. How much'n
you give me for il E,r junk"
"Oil" So il vas ar car? Ven,
Oi'n ten you. Thai car ID on my
land already. II wi cost You SO
for leaving II there."
Kilburn said something under his
breath. Aloud: Now wsit Z, min
ute! Do ] understand that whoever.
il was smashed up my car chose
your property on which to do the
smashing! And you're trying to
charge me for storagei"
wen. os'n ten ycu, Ven cali ii
even. I'm take the car an, charge
you not one penny. Ven call II