If one is driving along a country road and desires to pass another car going in the same direction, it is customary to sound the horn once that the driver ahead may not turn his car in front of you, and so that, if needed, he may turn to the right to let you pass on the left. He is the judge as to when and where he will turn, since he can see ahead better and knows what obstructions are to be avoided. With few exceptions he will, when signaled, immediately give way; if he does not, and it is fair to presume that he heard the signal, it is polite to wait a moment before again signaling your desire.
One also should signal just before reaching the top of a hill, particularly if the road be a narrow one, that anyone coming up on the other side may know of your presence and be guided accordingly; likewise the signal should be given before coming to a cross-roads, unless there is a plain view of both roads for a sufficient distance to make sure that a collision is not likely.
Occasionally one will catch up to a farmer’s load of hay, and the signal will not be heard, and it becomes necessary to toot a number of times, but this is rare. In meeting a wagon or another auto it is not necessary to sound the horn unless it is apparent that the other driver does not see you, or is keeping to the crown of the road, expecting you to do all the turning out. Well, even then, sometimes, it is better to do it, at that.
As a rule, it is easier on one’s temperament, and safer in the long run, to let the fellow who wants all the road have it; therefore when you hear a speed fiend coming, his presence announced by vociferous tooting of the horn and perhaps punctuated by shouting, or oaths, draw to one side and slow up. It costs little either in time or effort, and if it happens to be a load of drunken, irresponsible loafers you will be safe. At the same time, if you have influence with the police and other officials, call their attention to persons who thus disregard others and see that they are fined and their licenses taken. For the meekness advised, in letting them have their own way, is but that you may survive to do a piece of good work for the country at large by bringing before the law those who violate all principles of courtesy and rules of the road.
Blow your own horn, if you want to, but blow it discreetly; let others blow, too, and heed the warning, lest you come to grief with them.
CHAPTER XLVI
WOMEN AS DRIVERS
The 5.19 had stopped at Lonesomehurst, and the grating sound of the Klaxon had caused more than one commuter to wish there were a law against harsh noises. To Cholly Subbubs, however, it had a welcome tone, and he grabbed for his bundles and umbrella, saying while he dashed to the door and swung off the train as it pulled out:
“Sorry, boys; finish the game tomorrow. Wife’s here with the car for me.”
His partners at whist saw him step into a smart car driven by Mrs. Subbubs, who turned it about and took the road parallel with the track and for several miles gave race to the train, while sundry passengers uttered wise sayings as to the folly of a woman trying to run an auto.
A woman can run a car as well as a man [one of the commuters finally averred, as an answer to the criticism of the wiseacres]. I expect my wife will be at the next station and we will have a twenty-five-mile spin before dinner. It will blow off all the grouch, and blow out of my lungs all the bad air I have had to breathe today, and give me an appetite that would do credit to a man who has been toting bricks up a ladder rather than selling bonds.