The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-08-29

Travellers on the whole are a
kindly, helpful lot of folks. On
the main highway north of Tam
pa on stretch of II miles, 10
approaching cars flashed their
headlights to signal that our
lights were on, although it was
broad daylight. We knew it but
still we appreciated the spirit of
heIpfulness the other drivers
showed. We had our lights on.
to protect our battery.
A car battery IS something like
a man who has taken a drink. A
little juice perks him up but a
big dose knocks him cold. Our
generator was set for driving in
Key West, where we never go
over % miles an hour. On a
long. continued-fOr-hourS trip, the
juice poured into the battery Is
just more than any seIf-respect-
ing battery can take. At so miles
per hour the battery gets IS to 80
amperes. SO we drive with our
bright lights on. At 40 miles it
gets about Is to 20 amps, which
calls for the dins. At Is to 80
miles it gets the normal load of
u amperes and no lights. We
must remember to get that gen.
orator reset and give the battery
a lesson IN temperance.
We were thinking about all
this on our way to see our friends
Paul and Tess, when, on long,
lonesome road off the main high
way, the wagon began to swing
and sway Without the aid of
Sammy Kaye. Only one possible
answer, our first flat tire. We
got out all the paraphernalia and
actually had the car lacked up
when the first car came along.
And in that car were our friends,
Paul and Tess We hadn't seen
them for over year and they
did not know we were anywhere
near Tampa or their home. Our
planned surprise of busting in on
them was a double barreled one
because they surprised us in
stead.
Tess. before her marriage. was
Teresa Foley, name that
matches well with her Irish blue
eyes and reddish auburn hair.
Last suinnE Tess had a long
distance call from her mothers
home in Michigan, your mother
Is dying. come home at once.
Within an hour Paul rushed
her to a small railroad station to
catch the nOrthbound train.
Nervous, unstrung, needing COM
fort which she was unable to
find she was nevertheless, glad
to be on the train, even in the
Bodybuilding coach. next to the
baggage car. She was sick and
worried, all the way to Atlanta.
Her seat companion noticed
her discomfort He tried to talk
to her. told her about himself.
I'm old enough to retire. I'm 65
1 could. financially. but what
would I do with myself? I'm a
jewelry salesman, used to travel
ing all my life and I just have to
keep on.
The salesman called the porter
and ordered coffee for Tess. It
only made her sick. He suggest
ed that, she should have had a
chair seat in the.'parlor car SO
Tess explained how it was. that
she had come away after only an
hours notice and with no reser-
vati1ns. She told him about her
mothers illness.
When the salesman left the
train at Atlanta he said. Little
lady. please don't worry and
make yourself sick. I'm sure
you'll find your mother viii be
much better when you get there
and If ] was a fortune teller I'd
tell you that within year you
viii have your mother with you
in Florida. basking in the SUM-.
His CHEEKY encouraging words
We're a great help and Tess. with
a heart full of gratefulness. was