Stewart Edward White

“ It is useless to apply power. If you are wise you throw out your clutch the instant she stalls, and thus save digging yourself in unnecessarily. But if you are really wise you don't get in that fix at all. The next stage is that wherein you thrust beneath the hind wheels certain expedients, such as robes, coats, and so forth. The wheels, when set in motion, hurl these trivialities yards to the rear. The car then settles down with a shrug. About the time the axle is actually resting on the sand you proceed to serious digging, cutting brush, and laying causeways. ”

“ There is a heap of exercise in many occupations, such as digging sewers and cutting wood and shopping with a woman, but driving in small Arizona motor-cars need give none of these occupations any odds. ”

“ Down the middle saddles, ropes, spurs, pack outfits, harness, hardware. In the rear a glass cubbyhole with a desk inside. All this was customary, right, and proper. But I noticed also a glass case with spark plugs and accessories, a rack full of tires, and a barrel of lubricating oil. I did nor notice any body polish. At the front door stood a waste-paper basket whose purport I understood not at all.
Hill led me at once past two or three lounging cow-persons to the cubbyhole, where arose a typical old-timer. ”

“ If I were to name the car I should have to write "advt." after this article to keep within the law. I resolved to get one. We chugged persistently along on high gear, though I believe second would have been better.
Presently we stopped and gave her a drink. She was boiling like a tea-kettle, and she was pretty thirsty.
"They all do it," said Bill. Of course his name was Bill. "Especially the big he-ones. High altitude. Going slow with your throttle wide open. You're all right if you got plenty water. ”

“ It smelled good, as such stores always do—soap, leather, ground coffee, bacon, cheese—all sorts of things. On the right ran a counter and shelves of dry-goods and clothing; on the left groceries, cigars, and provisions generally. ”

“ You're right."
"Then what objection—"
"It's one of them wonders of modern science that spoils the simple life next to Nature's heart," said Bill, unexpectedly. "You hitch a big hollow needle onto an electric-light current. When she gets hot enough you punch a hole with her in the bottom of the bottle. Then you throw the switch and let the needle cool off. When she's cool you pour out the real thing for your own use—mebbe. ”