Evening star., 1944-04-12
This and That
BIZ Charles E. Tr1ceaUeN.

Mr.. and Mrs. Templeton Jones were
standing on the corner waiting for
bus. AS they stood there, nicely
dressed woman with white hair came up
and stood looking into space as one does
when waiting for public vehicle.
She finally turned to the Joneses and
asked, do you know If We have long to
wait for bus?"
Templeton Jones took out his big Swiss
watch of 1898 vintage and looked at it
critically.
About 10 minutes" he replied. Mrs.
Jones ventured remark to the effect
that it was chilly day. The white
haired lady, who looked very aristocratic
in black and white, said she thought 1t
was cool, too.
People don't pick up as they used
to-" said Jones' "a few months ago 1
never stood here for more than minute
didn't want a ride. Now they seem
afraid, or maybe 1t is the gas situation.
Personally, prefer not to be picked up.
think 1t Is bit of nuisance, and also
there is some little danger in it. Our
town has changed so, you know"
The lady looked significantly at Jones.
"You are quite right" she said. Let
me tell you what happened to me. 1t
was Sunday morning several months
ago, when I was living closer in. I was
standing on the corner waiting for
bus to take me to church. It was only
few blocks but I did not feel like
walking. 1t was a special occasion at
our church. I wanted to be sure to be
there"
She looked up the street, then turned
back to her audience
While I was standing there" she
went on, "I saw car come up the Ave-
nue.. I saw there was man and a
woman in it. When the car got past
me on the other side of the street, it
made a U turn and came down to where
I was standing
stopping the car, the man at the
wheel leaned over his companion and
asked me If I didn't want a lift. I re-
Piled that was only going a few short
blocks, but I thanked them for their
offer
NOW here comes the strange thing.
The woman in the car smiled and said,
You are much too well dressed a lady
to be riding on a bus 1 replied, that
While l thanked them, the idea was
ABSURD, because l ride the buses all the
time. They said it would be no trouble
at all, as they were going my way. I
thought that odd, since I had Just seen
them turn around, but suppose I was
bit fattered and so I got in the back
seat
AS we were going along the man sud-
denly asked me where l was going and
l said to church. He said, You don't
want to go to church. We are going
to the Skyline Drive, and you had bet
ter come along with u.s.
Il was astounded at this and some-
what frightened. I told them that they
were strangers to me, and that I did
not consider going on a long trip with
strangers.
We went on block farther and the
man said, If you won't 20 to Skyline
Drive, how about going to the filling
station with us to get some gas?"
BY this time I was genuinely fright
ened. We were at the corner where I
should get out, and I told them that I
could see no reason for going to filling
station when I wanted to go to church.
AT this the man said, Then don't you
think you should pay for our gas and
'A4oo uaeu up Ill pllllBlIlB you mere?
L told them that l would be yerv
glad to pay and asked them how much
Fifty cents said the man. BY this
time had swung the door open and we
stopped where several people were wait
ing. 1 handed him the money and
stepped out. Feeling brave now, I said
/ want to tell you this is about the
cheapest thing I ever heard of They
laughed and sped away. My daughter
said l was lucky to get out of it so
cheaply."
Your daughter was right" said Tenn
pleton Jones. Il have always said that
no woman should accept a ride from
strange man, even when there is a
woman with him. Most people seem to
think that woman is a sort of badge
OF respectability, but you never can tell"
What do you think they were?" asked
the white-haired woman.
Criminals, Madam" said Templeton
Jones, firmly. Criminals, without a
doubt. Every one ought to take lesson
from your story"