Jasper County Democrat, Volume 8, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 September 1905 — MOTOR Versus STEED [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

MOTOR Versus STEED

By George Newell Moran

“I wouldn’t ride In an automobile. Why, the Circle X outfit would never forgive me. It would be an Insult to my training. When I was a two-year-old I was exercised in the saddle Instead of in a baby carriage.” The girl checked herself suddenly. “I’m afraid I’ve been rude, Mr. Robben,” she said, with a charming air of contrition. “Come, forgive me and explain your new automobile to me.” They walked to the curb where the machine stood, and the girl listened attentively but with little understanding while the man technically explained its beauties and power. Edith Westley was from Nevada. Her life on her father’s ranch, the Circle X, had bred in her a love for horses and au admiration for men who could master them. An automobile to her was merely a tamed locomotive, good to amuse the idle rich. She was a girl all men admired and many loved. Ralph Robben, stockbroker, clubman and typical New Yorker, was in. the latter class. He had met her at a 5 o’clock tea. He detested 5 o'clock teas, but she seemed out of place among the gossiping society women, and her breezy western style attracted him. “Do you like these teas?” he asked. “Come, now, that's not fair. Do I look like a girl who would stake out a claim iu this society reservation j You ought to give me a square deal, and I’ll reciprocate by telling you that I think you feel as uncomfortable here as I do. I don’t seem to know the trail—don’t feel conversationally foot sure.” “Will you slip away and take a gallop in the park with me?” “Will I? Just try me.” They met frequently after that. The result at first surprised him, but later it seemed perfectly natural. He fell In love with her. When his big French touring car arrived Robben wanted Miss Westley to be the first to ride in it. As he finished his explanation of its mechanism she gingerly put her hand on one of the many levers. “What is this funny little lever for?” “That regulates the speed.” “Oh, I see. It’s a sort of mechanical bridle rein. And what happens when you press this big white button?” “That cranks the wheel automatically and starts the motor going. It’s very simple, really, and a child could run and control it.” “A child could inn it? Why, then, it requires neither courage nor skill to

mastee it. I should think it would be rather tame sport for a man.” There was a suggestion of mockery in her tone. “Some persons think it requires courage to run a machine like this at fifty or sixty miles an hour, but I don’t go in much for high speed. The danger is too great. I think you would enjoy IL Won’t you come for just a little spin?” “Thank you, but I’d rather not go. Of course it’s simply beautiful to look at and Avonderful in many ways, but an automobile cannot be compared with a horse. It has no breeding, no horse sense, character or anything else in common with man or nature. It’s wind broken, perpetually bothered with distemper and never can be depended upon in an emergency. I wouldn't give one stable room.” Robben was an automobile enthusiast, and Miss Westley’s opinion hurt him in a tender spot. Perhaps bis face showed for she thanked him again, but still refused even to test the cushioned comfort of the tonneau, “I’ll tell jfbu what I will do, though,” she added. "I’ll take a canter In the park with you right now if you will let me ride that splendid black mare of yours.”. Robben studied the tall, athletic, self reliant girl who rode a horse so perfectly and for the moment was sorry that he ever had seen an automobile. But he enjoyed the ride. Two weeks later he started out in the early morning in his automobile for a run In the country whore he could think it all over. He told himself that by the time he returned he would have made up his mind either to propose to

Miss 'Westley or to go to Europe and try to forget her. He was alone, and he as turned at moderate speed Into Pelham parkway, in Westchester, he saw ahead a girl on a horse. The bracing, balmy spring air laden with the perfumes of budding trees and early flowers and the notes of birds, added to the physical exhilaration of rapid movement, had a pleasing effect upon Robben. The girl on the horse fitted perfectly into the scheme. For a few seconds he was lost In contemplation and admiration of her supert) horsemanship. Then he recognized something about the poise of her head and the set of her shoulders and knew that the girl on the horse was Miss Westley. He wanted to join her, but the combination of Miss Westley on a horse and him in an automobile seemed to him unfavorable, and he slowed down. As he watched her he forgot all about bls trip to Europe and determined to propose at the first opportunity. Suddenly her horse swerved violently to the right and broke from a steady canter Into a wild gallop. Robben knew instantly either that the bridle rein had broken or that the horse had taken the bit in his teeth. Clearly the animal was runnVig away. The girl retained her seat in the saddle, and, while she appeared to be perfectly cool,The Knew that around a turn in the road less than a mile away was the bridge across Pelham bay, and the chances were great that the horse in his blind wildness might dash her against the iron supports of the narrow structure or carry her into the bay If she were not thrown before they reached the bridge. He threw the clutch on to the highest gear, and the powerful machine, thus urged to the extent of its sixty horsepower, leaped forward. It was a long chance he was taking, but the girl on the runaway was Edith Westley. Grasping the'steering wheel with his left hand, he slid as far as possible to the right of the seat and guided the machine alongside the horse. The animal veered off as the machine overtook him, but Robben reduced speed and kept as close as possible. “Steady, Miss Westley," he said calmly. “Free your skirts and jump when I say the word. Steady now!” They were within fifty yards of the bridge when Robben threw off the clutch, jammed down the brake and, with a skillful twist of the steering wheel, skidded close to the runaway. Bracing himself with his knee against the dashboard, he let go the wheel and, reaching far out over the side of the machine, said, “Come!” —. With a quick movement he threw his arm about the girl as she left the saddle and, straining every muscle, lifted her into the machine. Her weight and the sudden shock threw them against the steering wheel with terrific force. The great machine swerved, ran up a bank and smashed into a tree. For a few moments they were both stunned, but when Robben sought the girl's eyes he saw in their depths a light he had feared would never be there for him. That night Miss Westley wrote a letter to her father in Nevada; Dear Old Dad—l am going to marry a "tenderfoot.” but he will be a credit to the Circle X. I might as well tell you the worst—he Is an automobilist. But I love him! EDITH.

STRAINING EVEKY MUSCLE, HE LIFTED HER INTO THE MACHINE.