Louisiana capitolian., 1881-08-13
BICYCLE EXERCISE.
Brooklyn Eagle,

dyke, WHAT nave you gOt, " horse
Guess again. grinned Mr.. spoopen
dyke. "It's something like horse; thai
is, it goes when you make it. Cues
again
Is it paint for the kitchen walls p
asked Mrs. Spoopendyke, innoceDtly.
"No, it amt and it amt hogshead Of
stove blacking, nor u set Of dining room
furniture, nor it amt seven gross
of stationary wash-tubs. Now guess
again
''TheD it must be some lace curtains
for the sitting room windows Isn't
that just splbndidW ~ and Mrs. Spoopen.
dyke patted her husband on both cheeks
and danced up and down with delight.
''lfS o bicycle, that's what it is.
growled Mr.. Spoopendyke. ~ bought
it for exercise and Pm going to ride it,
Come down and see me-"
"Well amt | glad" CALCULATED Mrs.
Spoopendyke. "You ought to have
more exercise, and If there's exercise in
anything, it's in q bicycle. Do let's see
| itw
Mr. Spoopondyke conducted his wife
to the yard and descnnted at length on
the merits of the machine.
''In few weeks III be able to nuke
q mile q minute,' he said, as he stead
led the apparatus against the clothes
post and prepared to mount. "Now
you watch me 20 to the end Of this
path
He got foot into one treadle and
went head first into q flower patch, the
machine on top, with a prodigious
crash.
Hadn't you better tie it up to the
post until you get on" suggested Mrs.
Spoopendyke,
'Leave me alone, will yo ?" demanded
Mr.. Spoopendyke, struggling to an even
keel "Fm doing most Of this myself.
Now you hold Oh and keep your mouth
shut. 1t takes a little practice, that's
ALL"
Mr., Spoopendyke mounted again and
scuttled along four or FIVE feet aud flop
ped over Oh the grass plat.
"That's splendid commended bis
wife. "You've got the idea already.
Let me hold it for you this time
'If you've got any extra strength you
hold your tongue, will YEP growlcd Mr.
Spoopendyke. ut don't want any
holding. 1t amt alive. Stand back
and give me room, now"
The third trial Mr.. Spoopendyke am
bled to the end Of the path and went
down all in n heap among the flower
pots.
'Thats just too lovely for anything"
proclaimed Mrs. Spoopendykc. "You
made more'n mile minute, that time
"Come and take it OFF, roared Mr..
Spoopendyke. Help me up bod gast
the bicycle" " and the worthy gentle
man struggled and plunged around like
% whale in shallow water.
Mrs. Spoopendyke assisted in righting
him and brushed him off.
II know where you make your mis-.
take" said she. "Tbe little wheel ought
to 60 first, like a buggy Try it that
way going back
Maybe you can ride this bicycle bet
ter than can," howled Mr.. Spoopen-
dyke. "You know all about wheels
What you need now is u lantern in your
mouth and ten minutes behind time to
be the City Hall clock If you had a
bucket of water and handle you'd
make steam grindstone Don't You
see the big wheel has got to 90 first p
ayes, DEAR murmured Mrs. Spoop-
endyke, "but ! thought if you practic-
ed with the little wheel at first, you
wouldn't have so far to fall"
"Who fell ?" demanded Mr.. Spoopen-
dyke. Didn't you see me step Off ]
tripped, that's all. Now you just watch
me 60 back"
Once more Mr. Spoopendykc started
in, bus the big wheel turned around and
looked him in the face, and then began
to stagger.
"Look out" squealed Mrs. Spoopen-
dyke.
Mr.. Spoopendyke wrenched away and
kicked and struggled, but it was Of 10
avail. Down be came, and the bicycle
was hopeless wreck.
"What'd ye want to yell for !" he
shrieked. "Couldn't you keep your
measly mouth shut ?" what dye think
you are, anyhow, n fog horn +! bod CAST
the mcasly bicyclew and Mr., Spoopen-
dyke hit it a kick that folded it up like
A ......t...