Dick Hamilton's Touring Car; Or, A Young Millionaire's Race For A Fortune — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Dick Hamilton's Touring Car; Or, A Young Millionaire's Race For A Fortune
John Stuart Mill · en
"All right," assented Dick. "Only I guess you might have had to wait
until you came out of the hospital. It was your own fault. Will he be
all right with you?" he asked of the baggage man, referring to Grit.
"Oh, yes, he and I are good friends. I was in another part of the car,
making out some records, or I'd have stopped that young idiot from
pinching his tail. But he got all that was coming to him. He was mighty
scared. I thought it best to send for you, though."
"That was right. Grit, old man, I can't blame you, but try and hold
yourself in," said Dick, patting his pet.
The dog whined, and licked his master's hands, and then, having made
sure that Grit and the baggageman would get along well together, Dick
left his pet, having brought him some water, and bound up the cut on his
neck with a spare handkerchief.
Grit whined lonesomely as Dick left, and the young millionaire called
back:
"It'll only be a little while now, old fellow. We'll soon be at the
hotel."
Grit's joy was unbounded when he was released from the car, and soon
with his master, and the latter's two chums, was speeding across New
York in a taxicab. Arrangements were made at the hotel to have Grit
cared for, and he was to be allowed in Dick's room at certain times
during the day, the young millionaire having ascertained that no nervous
old ladies were near enough to be annoyed.
"And now for the auto show!" exclaimed Dick after dinner that night.
"We'll make a preliminary survey, and see what we can find."
Madison Square Garden was a brilliant place, with the thousands of
electric lights, the glittering cars and the decorative scheme, which
was unusually elaborate that year.
"Say, this is great!" gasped Beeby, as the three entered through the
crowd at the doors.
"I should say yes!" added Paul. "It's gorgeous! How are you going to
pick out a car among so many, Dick?"
"Oh, there's only one kind I want. I hope I find it here. But there's no
hurry. Let's look about."
And indeed the sights were well worth viewing. There seemed to be every
kind of car represented, from little runabouts to palatial enclosed
vehicles that would carry eight persons. And there were trucks, from
small three-wheeled ones, that could be used to deliver a lady's hat, to
monsters that could shift a five-ton safe with ease.
There was the hum of motors, electricity driven, for gasoline was not
allowed in the building on account of the fire danger. There was the
snapping of spark-plugs, some of which were being shown at work under
water, to prove how hard it was to short circuit them. And there was the
crackle of a wireless outfit in use, to demonstrate how it could be
attached to an army-auto in war time.
The boys roved about the big space, visiting exhibit after exhibit.
Several times Dick thought he saw what he wanted, but he always decided
to look further, in the hope of finding something a little better.