Mr. Tucker was not hurt by the impact, for he had grasped an overhanging bough and saved himself. He dropped to earth, vaulted a stone wall, and rescued the fainting figure of his wife. The kindly services of a farmer procured her the shelter of a neighboring farm-house. Mr. Tucker knew from past experiences that his wife was an easy fainter, and after assuring himself that no bones were broken he left her for a few minutes that he might run out to seek for James, who might be at death’s door. He found him gazing upon the ruins of the wooden horse. Upon learning that the man was uninjured he drew a bill from his pocket and said: “My boy, here’s money for your expenses and your wages, and if there is any go in this machine, run her to New York and tell your people that they can have her as a gift. I am through with automobiles.” But a half-hour later Mrs. Tucker, fully conscious but somewhat weak, sat up on the bed in the farmer’s best chamber and said: “John, I think that if it had been a horseless automobile it wouldn’t have been so bad.” Whereupon John overtook James just setting out for New York, and gave him an order for one horseless automobile. And now John is convinced that his wife is a thoroughbred. WHILE THE AUTOMOBILE RAN DOWN A CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA WHILE THE AUTOMOBILE RAN DOWN A CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA It was a letter to encourage a hesitating lover, and certainly Orville Thornton, author of “Thoughts for Non-Thinkers,” came under that head. He received it on a Tuesday, and immediately made up his mind to declare his intentions to Miss Annette Badeau that evening. But perhaps the contents of the letter will help the reader to a better understanding of the case. DEAR ORVILLE: Miss Badeau sails unexpectedly for Paris on the day after Christmas, her aunt Madge having cabled her to come and visit her. Won’t you come to Christmas dinner? I’ve invited the Joe Burtons, and of course Mr. Marten will be there, but no others--except Miss Badeau. Dinner will be at sharp seven. Don’t be late, although I know you won’t, you human time-table. I do hope that Annette will not fall in love in Paris. I wish that she would marry some nice New Yorker and settle near me. I’ve always thought that you have neglected marriage shamefully. Remember to-morrow night, and Annette sails on Thursday. Wishing you a Merry Christmas, I am, Your old friend, HENRIETTA MARTEN. Annette Badeau had come across the line of Orville’s vision three months before. She was Mrs. Marten’s niece, and had come from the West to live with her aunt at just about the time that the success of Thornton’s book made him think of marriage.