LEAVES FROM THE DIARY OF A MOTORIST.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2323, 16 October 1908, Page 1

LEAVES FROM THE DIARY OF A MOTORIST.

(By Helena Smith Dayton, in “Collier’s Weekly.”)

January, 1. —Throb symptoms warn me that. I am about to become a motor maniac: my wife lias ordered motor raiment, my ckvugbtcrs jlmvo, invited friends upon carefully planned tours, and my son Phil has written for catalogues. Janunry 18. —Perused tons of motor literature, and 'have become friend!v with several hundred agreeable salesmen, '.ill evidently selling “the best ca?. February 11.—Convinced that 1 liavo selected tlie best’machine on the market. Agent says I’m a wonder. March 2. —Arrival of now car. Family enthusiastic; Dusted off lew specks of dust with silk jwekdt-liand-kereliicif. Hope nothing will mar tlie fine finish. March 9. —Engaged incognito Count for chauffeur. Wo' all hope to improve our accent. Maybe lie will.get us into society. March 10. —,Something out of kilter, but agent i_ the limit. Thinks ho’Jl have it. running in a day or so. April..'!.—While wo were admiring tlio view to-day, Charlie Speedwell passed in that old lemon of his. After we found tho air couldn’t he fixed, took the trolley home. Tlio Count doesn’t understand tlio ear. 'i ‘ April /s.—Maybe it’s the car. May I.—Everything lovely. Best ear; finest driver; lovely roads; glorious weather ; agreeable party. What did wo do without an automobile? , May 29. —Arm’ still in sling. Count’s fault. New man coining tomorrow.

June s.—Must appear in court tomorrow. Weren’t going : a bit fast. Juno 7.—Car undergoing slight repairs. June 20. —Slight repairs. June 22. —Surly fellow, .that agent.

June 30.—-Learned why the chicken' crosses the road : to pay the mortgage off the old farm.

July 9.—Question. : for debating societies: Is it cheaper to motor in town or. in the country? After encountering a country constable, paying for one perfectly good dog, and purchasing gasoline from an alleged accommodating .rural party, have decided that flat purse motorists should not leave the boulevards.

July 18.—Charlie Speedwell’s car certainly can go some. August 7. —Oil- behaving beautifully. September 17.- —Decided to quit the motor game. •

(September 28. —Sold my car. October 6.—Lovely days' for motoring, I- hope. October 20.—How iny family miss that car! Does seem queer to" walk everywhere. It used to be mighty handy. . . . Perhaps in the spring. . . November 29.—Wonder bow the agents got impressic n I was interested in automobiles? Merely dropped in to look over a few new models. Still, I gave my order on condition it was not delivered until June.

December 30. —Been trying to hurry up delivery of that ear of mine.