The automobile owner crawled
With haste into his car
And said good-by, for he was called
To travel fast and far.
He grasped the steering wheel with glee
And gave the clutch a yank,
And then, with objurgations, he
Climbed down again to crank.
Again he mounted to the seat
Prepared like wind to fly,
Yet there he lingered in the street;
The water tank was dry.
He filled the tank; it seemed a cinch,
Once more he starts to chauff,
Behold, he does not move an inch--
The differential's off.
In rage he toils with might and main
Till he is faint and weak;
Again he starts--and stops again;
The tire's sprung a leak.
The shades of night are falling fast,
But joy illumes his brow,
He shoots ahead--his trouble past,
Pray who can catch him now?
And yet, around the corner we
May find the same machine;
Its owner is not there, for he
Has gone for gasoline.
_Council Bluffs Nonpareil._