Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 220, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 September 1913 — STORIES form the BIG CITIES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

S TORIES form the BIG CITIES

It Took Push to Operate the Smith Automobile

CLEVELAND, O.—Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Smith, 772 East One Hundred and Fifty-second street, Collinwood, have a small gasoline runabout, and on pleasant nights, after Mr. Smith closes his drug store, they invariably go for a spin over East End boulevards. Like all owners of small auto-, mobiles, they occasionally have trouble. The other night* the drug store was closed a little earlier than usual and thfe Smith family, including Scootch, the small fox terrier, hustled into the car and went speeding over the new extension of Lake Shore boulevard to the little village of Noble, five miles away. Life was sweet Indeed for the Smith family. The moon shone brilliantly, and the occupants of the car sighed with contentment* Mr. Smith carefully turned the <sar around and started back toward Collinwood about 11:20 o’clock. The little' motor, which had been whirring steadily, began to sputter fitfully and Mr. Smith pricked up his ears.

The car carried the family about a quarter of a mile homeward, sighed gently, and stopped. Husband Smith looked at Wife Smith and Scootch Smith emitted a low “Woof!” “Did you fill the gasoline tank?" queried both Smiths simultaneously. I* appeared that neither did. There was an eloquent silence. “Well,” said Mr. Smith .resignedly, “you stay in the car an<f I’ll go and see if I can find some gasoline.” “No, no," cried Mrs. Smith. “I’m afraid to stay here alone.” “All right,” Mr. Smith returned. ‘TH stay here and you go and hunt for gasoline.” “Don’t be silly,” said, his wife. More eloquent silence followed, finally Mrs. Smith said: “I’ll sit in the car and steer and you push. We can make it in before any one wakes up and sees us.” Mr. Smith pushed, no better way out of the dilemma presenting itself. He became tired after pushing for about half a mile. Then Mrs. Smith pushed and Mr. Smith steered. The little car was relayed in this manner back to the Smith residence after the moon had departed and about the time the clock was striking ,2:30. ! Reunited on the front porch a short time after, Mr. Smith said: “For once in my life I am glad that car isn’t a |7,000, 'steen-passenger affair.” Mrs. Smith agreed with him.