The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-07-23

side my vehicle, looking in all directions
cautiously as burglar, suddenly light
was thrown full upon me, and from be-
hind it gruff voice inquired
What's your little game!"
Game indeed it was no sport, but q
piece Of serious earnest; and it was only
with difficulty that induced police consta-
BILE John Dorhead to believe that this was
not an Internal machine, and that he
might turn off his bull ls-eye and leave me
to my own devices.
The ground was dry and hard, 20, how
hard land lifting the incubus once more,
| made the best of my way beyond the
last house. Pausing for breath, set the
thing down, straddled across it, settled
myself in my seat, and then,-well, then /
went forward, very slowly, walking upon
the tips of my toes and taking the thing
along with me- l knew l ought to give
myself a good start, thrust my feet upon
the treadles, and then go along rapidly.
l say knew ali this, but that was all If
lifted one leg from the ground, inclined
that side; if lifted the other, the inclina-
ton was but the reverse; and as to taking
both feet up, I freely confess it, I dared
not.
However, I got on slowly with the thing
between my legs, telling myself that I
was progressing fast; and chuckled as
congratulated myself upon the fact of
my being unobserved. At last, as time
was getting on, l grew more daring, and
made rush, performing a wide curve
which sent me into the ditch on the left,
while the next attempt sent me into the
hedge on the right
perseverance cOnquers in the end"
muttered, as | prepared Tor another try
and 30 went on until, conceiving that |
had done pretty well for one nieht, and
that even if had acquired no skill l had
done something towards overcoming my
timidity. l turned back and walked, or
or rather waddled, the instrument till l
had reached the top of the hill, where l
paused to consider.
Should /! Shouldn't I! There was moth.
ing to do but to sit firmly and to steer
carefully and it would 60 down hill of
itself. The maker told me that the faster
l went, the safer. If l meant to learn,
must be a little bold. I'd good mind
to let it 20, and I walked it down
few yards. Why, even if I did fall
1 could not hurt myself much; it was
not like being upon q restive horse,
and being dragged by the stirrups, and
that wasn't it, thought / only lifted my
legs for an instant to touch the trea
dies when the wretch of a thing was
off down the incline Mazeppa's ride
was nothing to it; the bicycle cycled, the
wind rushed past my ears, and believe
I shouted, Stop it'll" feeling for the mo-
ment that was off at express speed then
there was crash, q sudden halt, and o,
how hard and firm was that new road.
81 thought you'd get up to something
afore you'd DONE" said gruff voice, and
once more was Illuminated at the eX-
pense of the ratepayers.
only groaned as asked the constable
to assist me in with my wheels of mis-
fortune. I did not scruple about making
q noise now, all wanted wss to get the
thing locked up, and to 60 and battle that
large lump swelling upon my noble fore
head; but believe the fellow was grin
ming when l gave him q shilling.
don't know whether mind or body
was the sorer the next morning, but was
very ill at ease, and "said l to myself,
here's lesson for me-" while I ran over
in my own mind the list of my enemies,
being at last fully determined to send my
compliments to the gentleman who cut up
my last book, and with my compliments
the gift of the bicycle.
Humbly and sincerely trust that he
may not break his neck.-CasseIps Mag
sls-.