The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-04-02
A DIABOLICAL WHEEL.

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DIABOLICAL WHEEL.
Tho Pcriis and Pleasures of Learning "a
Ride on Bicycle
From the Detroit Free Press.
If the man who first swallowed an
oyster was brave, much more so was
the individual who first mounted the
dizzy height fthe bicycle. The aristo-
cratic bicycle must not be confounded
with the plebeian velocipede. The lat
ter is easily wrestled with, but the for
mer gives the rider a numerous selec-
ton of choice tumbles that he can enjoy
on no other vehicle invented by man.
A velocipe6e cannot throw you over its
head; bicycle can, and does with an
ease and elegance that is appreciated by
all except the party thrown. A tumble
from the altitude of bicycle-rider,
combines all the enjoyable sensations
experienced by falling from second
story window.
| met several young men of this city
who were afflicted with bicyclomania,
and they assured me that life without O
bicycle was hardly worth living. Bicy-
Gle riding, L gathered from them, was
the next best thing TO flying. | have
since learned that it is in many instan-
ccs.
A bicycle school is large room III
vidcd by row OF pillars to make mat
tcrs more interesting for tho riders.
The room is four stories from the street
and the windows arc barred like pris-
on, for the festive vehicle would enjoy
nothing better than TO send person
head first down on some unfortunate
pedestrian below. But all such antics
arc barred out, because you are barred
in. In the corner of the room are a
dozen or so of those elegant steel, rub
bcr-rimmcd vehicles, whose tread is
swift and nOsclcss.
The Professor Of Revolution gives the
information that the terms arc so much,
each party paving his own surgeons
bill. lie fixes up the bicycle; your
family physician attends TO you.
The professor trots ont an apparently
innocent machine with the treadles
gone and general prize fsht aspect
about it. laid my coat on chair and
announced myself ready for the sacra-
flee.
"Placc the machine IN front Of YOU
this way" saws the professor. "IIold
handle in each hand, put your left
foot on this little projection behind,
shove the bicvclc ahead and then stand
on your left foot. letting the machine
run till it stops"
"Then I won't begin saddle riding at
lirstY
"llow mnch accident insurance do
you carry?"
"NOnc."
"Wcll. then, ! wouldn't if I were
Won. I'd approach the saddle gradual.
ly."
Iplaccd both hands as directed; put
my foot on the projections; showed gent
ly ahead with the other foot and then
stood up.
= The recollection have of this Incl.
dent is that the numerous windows oi
the hall made SORT of rapid torchlighi
procession around me and then the lion
and the lamb lay down together.
"Ah, that was frst-rate for begin.
ning,' said the professor, as he picked
up the bicycle while busted myself of
son. that was a good start, was itr
I inquired.
eyes; Won kept OH top. Now, many
fellows let the machine tumble on them
Arc YOU ready for the next round?"
"Not quite. lost couple of but
tons-whilc ] look for them would yor
mind taking a run on the bcycler
Then the professor gave ii push
stood on one foot and glided around th,
room with an ease and grace that wai
, delightful.
"No trouble at ALL" he remarked az
he stood beside me again. "When yor
. find yourself falling just give the whee
a turn i'll the direction yOu are going
and it will be all right. Keep YOU
eyes fixed on something ahead"
showed the machine ahead and KEEP
r nv eyes fixed at window.
felt ! was falling against the bricl
wall. | turned the wheel in that direc
ton. I turned not wisely, but toe
well. AS an eagle swoops downward
so swooped my two-wheeled demon to
ward the iron pillars.
"Turn The Wheel" shouted the pro
D fessor; but self-preservation is the frs
! law of nature. | aband med the whee
, and wildly clasped the pillar, as if I
had been nv long lost brother, Will,
the bicycle left me, wabbled, and fel
with clatter on tho floor.
"First-rate, good enough" said tn,
professor, rubbing his hands cheerfully
as he went to the assistance of the bicy
Gle.
"Was that a success, too?' / asked.
"Oh, yes. Why, YOU went at leas
twenty feet as straight as line. Blu
you're too ambitious. If were YOU
wouldn't try going round the post
just vet for WHILE"
| avail nnuv that won x,,antsn,S
won't. Would yon have the kindncs
to see if have bent that pillar any?
feel too kind of excited and confuse
for critical examination"
"Ob, the post is used 10 those afle,
lionate advances" said he as | wake
across the room 10 pick up my hat.
Again showed the machine forwar
and gazed ahead. We trundled alon
We had gone about half the length {
the room, when stepped down an
brought il TO standsiill.
"Oh pshaw," cried the professor
"why didn't Won keep it up? you wen
doing splendidly."
"Pretty well done, wasn't it?"
"Why, of course"
"Well, | thought there was no us
OVERRIDING a good thing. The machin
Is was just giving a lit over towards tn,
q; 4; last post. didn't want to conclud
n the thing too abruptly, you know"
er Thus endeth the first lesson.
"a All next day felt kind of as If ha
ne been in fight in which the other part
. was victorious. II was week befor
V climbed those stairs again.
- "Ah," said the professor as enter
n n