Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 12, 1928)
HEPPNER GAZETTE TIMES, HEPPNER, OREGON, THURSDAY, JAN. 12, 1928. PAGE THREE 'M TIPTOE mm y&A m h Stewart Edward White Illustrations by Henry Jay Lee Copyright Stawsrrt, Edward WhiU Released thru. Publishers Au.toca.rter Service WHO'S WHO IN THE STORY: GRIMSTEAD, the "Bucssneer" of this swashbuckling story, la stranded among- the California redwoods in hia "private craft," a high-powered ear, when Its gasoline tank is broken. BURTON GRIMSTEAD, his "spoiled" daughter, is with him against her will, es pecially so aa she perceives her father's object in insisting on her going on the trip is to throw her into the company of ROSS GAV.UINER, Grimstead's sinister "Second In Command," a capable, good looking young man. t SIMMINS, chauffeur and house man, of gay spirits, repressed because of his ultra English-butler dignity. He is tent after help and returns with a young man in a small car. DAVENPORT, a youth, comes by and astonishes them first by saying his small car runs on electricity so he has no "gas" to give them, and next by winning a 110, 000 bet from Gardiner by predicting a rain storm. (- CHAPTER VI Slmmlns Brightens Up A tiny fire blazed merrily at the edge of the shelter, a marvellous sight In all this deluge to Burton when she turned out In the morn ing. Her father and Gardiner sat leaning against a log In the back ground and Slmmlns fussed with a coffee pot over a small gasoline stove. Grlmstead looked good-natured, and amused by the turn of events; Gardiner was company manners polite, which meant that he was disgruntled; Slmmlns was bright and chipper. There was no doubt of It; some thing had happened to Simmlns. His manner was free and Indepen dent and human; no longer did he conceal rigidly his naturally friv olous proclivities. "Coffee, Miss," he should have enunciated mechanically. Instead of which he remarked; "That'll warm you up," That morning Davenport found Slmmlns clad In a mackintosh, delving in the pockets of the larger car. "You certainly did call the-turn!" said Slmmlns. "I congratulate you, sir! And to rook his nibs does my heart good! I'll buy me a little souvenir with the tenner you let me in for. I suppose that goes, sir?" "Certainly," laughed Davenport. "You'd better make yours a Lib erty bond though, Slmmlns, if you take my advice." "Liberty bond, sir, with a ten ner?" puzzled Slmmlns. "Tenner," repeated Davenport, also pretending to be puzzled. Oh!" he simulated enlightenment "I see! Did you imagine for a mo ment I'd bother with a sum like ten dollars?" "What else, sir?" asked Simmlns uneasily. "Then hundreds, of course," re plied Davenport. "Good Lord! If It had not rained I'd have been out a thousand dol lars?" "Most certainly," Davenport as sured him seriously. "As it Is, you shall have my check for a thou sand the moment Mr. Gardiner pays his debt" And now you know why Sim mlns passed the coffee In that care free, swashbuckling spirit that would warm her up! "Looks as if It might rain for ever," remarked Grlmstead after a pause. .Davenport glanced at his wrist watch and made a rapid calcula tion. "It will stop at ten minutes to ten," he stated. "I'll acknowledge that you called the turn on this storm, but you're cutting it too fine," said Grlmstead. "Be reasonable!" "Nevertheless, If you'll allow me five minutes either way," efrniled the young man, "I'll lay anybody another bet" He glanced at Gut diner, who did not look up. The millionaire laughed. "Well, you are a good sport; I'll say that for you. I'm no heavy gambler, 'like you young fellows with lots of money. I'll bet you a box of cigars, just to make it interesting." "All right." "By the way," added Grlmstead, "didn't you say something about a tree?" "It's down, square across the road," Interrupted Simmins eager ly. "The deuce you say!" Grimstc&J sat up. "How many others are down?" he Inquired after an in stant "None, sir, not one!" cried Sim mins triumphantly, as though the glory were his own personally. "I took especial pains to look." "This is the mo3t extraordinary exhibition of either fantastic bull luck or prophecy or a mixture of both I have ever witnessed!" said Grlmstead. "It's it's almost un canny!" "Not at all. The story was the exact product of a whole series of causes and effects working out; and as the causes and effects are all subject to physical law, which is unchangeable, vany prediction as to the time or the direction or the strength or duration of a storm can be entirely exact,, provided it is based on those causes and ef fects." CHAPTER VH A Startling Discovery. At the hour predicted by Daven port the rain ceased and the clouds broke In the instantaneous Cali fornia fashion to admit a bright shining sun. The whole world was a-glltter with jewels and little mists eddying through the forest drifted In and out of steady, broad shafts of light Grlmstead stared curiously at Davenport's little ma chine. "Make her yourself?" inquired Grlmstead. "Such as she is," acknowledged Davenport. "I didn't use much pains with her looks because she is Just an experiment I'm trying something out" "You said she was electric driv en?" queried Grlmstead. "Yes." "And I suppose charging a bat tery costs nothing," struck in Gar diner scornfully, "and there are charging stations everywhere." "Often enough for my purpose," rejoined Davenport with entire good humor. "I should think you'd want more speed and power," observed Grim staad. "Geared as she is I can make 50 an hour on a paved .road, and that means power for anything within reason I haven't had it brake tested; but it must develop between 35 and 45 horsepower." "Your battery can't have a long charge-life at that rate," pursued Grlmstead. "I don't see how you keep charged. How many hours do you make " "I don't know; I haven't deter mined yet That's what I'm experi menting on." Grlmstead paused to get this straight "Do I understand you to say that you are running on the original charging?" he asked, "that you have not recharged since starting?" "That's it." ""Where did you start from? How long have you been out?" "Left San Rafael about three weeks ago." He stopped to exam ine a dial. "Been just 1100 miles." The pirate chief, like all good commanders, was always ready to climb himself to the crow's nest This speck on the horizon was probably a mirage that would van ish on nearer approach; but there was just a remote possibility it might be a galleon heavy with un told wealth. Or. Indeed, it might be some where between the extremes. Some craft laden mainly with dreams, but with a trifle of metal ballast worthy of a pirate's attention. So like a prudent chief, he bore down on the stranger. "Such a battery, if it could be well proved out, would be valua ble," pursued Grimstead. One of the great elements in his success was that he knew better than to cry down the obvious. "I confess I can't imagine the principle " "Like to look at it?" inquired Davenport This was luck Grimstead had not hoped for yet He assented with alacrity. All crowded curiously around while the young man raised the hood. They saw what appeared to be an ordinary large electric motor set acrsos the frame. In front of it and connected to it by two thick wires was a black box measuring about a foot along all dimensions. "There she is!" said Davenport cheerfully. "That! Is that your whole bat tery!" cried Grimstead, pointing an incredulous finger. "Why, that thing wouldn't run a bell for three weeks, let alone a car. Where's your running battery? Under the seat?" Without reply Davenport raised the seat cushions to display a re cess occupied only by tools; lifted the trap door of the rear to show a nearly empty Interior. "You see, I have nothing up my sleeve with which to deceive you," said he, jestingly. "There's the whole works." On the return to the camp, Grim stead fell back to consult low voiced with his second in com mand. "What do you think of It, Ross?" he inquired. "He's lying, showing off. The thing is impossible." "Well, he certainly drove up last night from somewhere." "He probably lives quite near and recharges from water power." "Probably," agreed Grimstead, "but even "at that he's got some thing. That box isn't any larger than a starting battery. We'll have to look into it a little. A battery as compact as that will drive others off the market" Davenport put everybody to work, after a quick meal had been improvised and eaten, so that by mid-afternoon a comfortable and convenient camp had come jnto ex istence. At supper time Simmlns, panic stricken, claimed total ignorance of camp cookery. "I'll do It" stated Davenport briefly. "You'll do the dishes, run the errands, get the water and car ry in the wood. I'l chop the wood." He looked around at the others. "That's the only thing I want you all to leave strictly alone the axe. I'll do all the axe work myself." ' CHAPTER Vm , Another Bet. "Well, this Is something like!" cried Grimstead as he lowered him self to a cushion of aromatic boughs near the camp fire. He was well fed and warm and dry and pleas antly tired. He glanced about the scene with satisfaction. Everything was trim and ship-shape, just the way he liked to see things. "Young man, he went on in a large paternal manner, blowing the first cloud from his cigar, "where is your shop? San Rafael, did you say?" "My shop oh, Sausalito," replied Davenport "I suppose you could use a little more." "Who couldn't?" "A little additional capital might enable you to expand to advan tage." "Additional capital," said Daven port unexpectedly, with a grin, "wouldn't enable me to expand an inch." "But you just said you could use more money." "That's different." "I don't see how it's different," said Grlmstead a little impatiently, "but It crossed my mind that if you needed a little buy In a Bhare, you understand. Of course an investi gation" "So you are Interested in my bat tery, after all," said Davenport "Kono!" Grimstead acknowledg ed. "At least I'm interested in what you. Bay about your battery. The state of Missouri isn't big en ough to hold me when it comes to what you claim for it I shrewdly suspect that In that you're frying to spoof me. But it's obvious you've come from somewhere, and it's ob vious that little battery brought you. Even if it's only five or ten miles, and you expect to get home again, you've got something big." "Of course," Davenport pointed out, "I haven't tried to sell any thing nor make you believe any thing. And I don't suppose, In view of your technical knowledge, I would have any right to resent your doubting my word. Nevertheless, I repeat that with that battery as my sole motive power I have driven about 1100 miles." "Without recharging?" demanded Gardiner. "Without recharging," repeated Davenport A polite but restrained silence succeded this remark. Davenport himself relieved the situation. "Don't feel embarrassed!" he laughed. "Say it if you want to; I won't be offended. It may relieve your minds. There's no way to prove it to you right now, so there's no sense worrying about It." "Pardon me," put in Gardiner suavely. "I think your statement could be at least partially tested with the facilities ,at hand." "What do you mean?" asked Davenport. "I meap that if you are willing to allow you battery to carry a load for any specified length of time I can arrange the load." "If it's not beyond the power of my battery, go to it," agreed Dav enport ''I figure she'll give about 40 horse-power." 1 "That is more than ample. For how long " "Long as you like until we get out of here, if you please." "Is it another bet?" asked Bur ton. "I'm willing," said Davenport "doubles or quits. Is It a bet?" "I don't bet that heavily against another man's game," said Gardi ner, "but I'm ready to risk five hun dred that I can produce a legiti mate test right here, and that this thing won't stand up under It It is understood that my test must be met and that the time limit Is four days." "Well, that's rather an "unslght unseen' proposition Itself," rejoined Davenport "But just to show you I'm a sport I'll go you, provided that it is not beyond the strength of the battery. Its endurance with in its strength is all I claim." "What I propose," said Gardiner, "is that the terminals of this bat tery be connected with the self starter of our car; and the starting pedal be locked down. Then the battery, through the self-starter, will be turning over the engine against the compression. I don't know the exact power required, but it is considerable. Tomorrow I will compute It exactly. It Is sufficient to exhaust the ordinary starting battery in from 10 to 20 minutes." "That's ingenious," acknowledged Davenport, "but It's going to be as noisy as a street car. It's going to destroy our peace and quiet, and wlil end by getting on our nerves, I'm afraid." "It's begun by getting your nerve, I'm afraid," sneered Gardiner. Gardiner leaned back with a tri umphant glance at his chief. "Oh!" cried Burton, Indignant "You aren't going to give up like that Mr. Davenport Were you bluffing? I didn't think you'd do that!" "I wasn't bluffing," said Daven port quietly. "Then do it!" "Well, I'll tell you," suggested the young man, "there's no use getting excited or disagreeable about It. Let's be reasonable. Tomorrow morning we will move camp a little to get away from the racket, and then we'll start her up. Stay an extra day if you want to; It's worth it" "I'll agree to that," acquiesced Gardiner, "as far as the general camp is concerned. But personally I stipulate to stay here within sound of the motor." Burton exclaimed indignantly; but Davenport was unperturbed. "Well," said he cheerfully, "you encourage me. A little while ago the battery couldn't last over 10 or 20 minutes; and now it's night time already. I'll agree you shall stay here, if you want to, provided Simmlns stays, too." "Simmins!" exclaimed Gardiner. "Why should Simmlns stay here?" "For the same reason you do," replied Davenport blandly; "Just to hear the motor go." "Well," sighed Grimstead after a moment, "this trip certainly promises to be interesting. If the thing works even partially as you say it does, you must have a brand new principle in battery construc tion." "It Is a new principle," said Dav enport "Would you like to hear about it?" (Continued Next Week.) Davenport and the pirate's daugh ter have an interesting talk in next week's instalment MEN! Come here for the clothes you're needing now SWEATERS AT SPECIAL PRICES ! V-neck, wool knit, heavy weight sweaters with special collars. ' ' . A DANDY BUY! BLAZERS Tough and Durable. PAJAMAS and NIGHT SHIRTS Made of outing flannel; for both men and boys. OVERALLS For Men and Boys. Khaki, Corduroy, Heavy Wool and Dress PANTS. MUNSINGWEAR The underwear for men and boys in wool or cotton all lengths, all kinds. FUR LINED MITT ENS. EAR-FLAP CAPS. M. D. CLARK for Economical Transportation -the Greatest Sensation of Greatest Industry Americas Again, Chevrolet has created an auto mobile so far beyond all expecta tions in the low-price field that it constitutes the greatest achievement of America's greatest industry. Built on a 4-inch longer wheelbase offering numerous improvements in performance, beauty and safety the Bigger and Better Chevrolet marks a spectacular epoch in the development of luxurious trans portation at low cost. The engine is of improved valve-in-head design with alloy "invar strut" pistons . . . hydro-laminated cam shaft gears . . . mushroom type valve tappets . . . AC oil filter . . . AC air cleaner and a new crankcase breath ing system. Throughout the entire car similar advancements are represented from the four-inch longer wheelbase and the new semi-elliptic shock absorber springs 84 of the wheelbase, to the marvelously beautiful new Fisher bodies in new Duco colors. Come in and drive this great new car. Drive it through traffic and get the thrill of its darting pick-up . . . the smooth, certain action of its non-locking four-wheel brakes! Drive it on the open road and test every point in the speed range for smoothness and readability! Try it oh the hills and learn the true meaning of Chevrolet power! Do that and you will agree with thousands of others that here is the world's most luxurious low-priced automobile. Every feature of advanced design demanded in the finest cars now offered in the New Chevrolet! Read this partial list. Improved valve-ln-head motor. New stronger frame 4" longer) wheelbase 107'. New four-wheel brakes. Thermostat control cooling system. New slloy "invar strut" pistons. New instrument panel indirect ly lighted. New ball bearing worm and gear steering. Semi-elliptic shock absorber springs; 84 per cent of wheel base. Safety gasoline tank at rear. Larger balloon tires 30" x 4.50'. NeW streamline bodies by Fisher. New Duco colon. Theft-proof steering and igni tion lock. A. C. oil filter. A. C. air cleaner. Single-plate dry disc-clutch. New crankcase breathing system. New two port exhaust. Heavy one-piece full -crown fenders. Alemite pressure lubrication. Vacuum tank fuel supply. Improved Delco-Remy dis tributor ignition. Combination tail and stop light. Large 17' steering wheel with spark and throttle levers lo cated on top. Rear view mirror. and 4 I Wheel 1 Tj Brakey Prices Reduced! The COACH $585 The 495 Roadster . . . The m $495 Touring .... The $585 Coach The $595 The 4-Door $ 675 Sedan The Sport $ OOO Cabriolet .... The Imperial $15 Cabriolet .... Light Delivery $Q7C tChastit Onlv) J I xJ Utility Truck . $IQc (Chassu Only) XJkJ All Prices f.o.b. Flint, Mich. Ferguson Chevrolet Co. Heppner, Oregon E. R. LUNDELL, lone, Oregon QUALITY A T L O W COST