The semi-weekly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1879-1882, 1881-08-11
BICYCLE EXERCISE.
MR. sroopENDYKE PURCHASES A
MACHINE AND MAKES A
MILE A MINUTE.

Now. my DEAR" sail Mr.. Spoop-
epdJ IKE, hurr, ing up TO his wife's
room. ri yru'll come down 10 the
yard I've got pleasant surprise for
son
"What is it2v asked Mrs. Spoopen-
dykes "What have you gotl A
h,rse2'
'stluess again" grinned Mr. Spoop-
endyke. sIt's something like horse ("
II know its new parlor carpet,
that's what il is ="
aNo, it isn't either. | said it's
something like horse; that is, il goes
when you make it. Guess again"
is il paint for the kitchen walls?
asked Mrs. Spoopendyke, iunocsntly.
"No, it amt, and it amt a hogs
head Of stove backing, nor it amt a
set of dining-room furniture, nor it
amt seven gross Of stationary wash
tubs. Now guess again."
"Then it must be some lace cur
tains for the sitting-room windows
Isn't that just splendid?" And Mrs.
Spoopendyke patted her husband on
both cheeks, and danced up and down
with delight
s'It's bicycle, that's what il is, /"
growled Mr.. Spoopendyke. II bought
it for exercise, and I'm going to ride
it. Come down and see me-"
"Well, amt / glad,p calculated
Mrs. Spoopendyke. "You ought to
have more exercise, and If there's OK
ercise 10 anything it's bicycle. Do
let's see itr'
Mr.. Spoopenayks conducted his
wife to the yard, and descanted at
length or the merits OF the machine
an few weeks I'll be able to
make mile q minute" he said, az
he steadied the apparatus against
the clothes-post, and prepared to
mount. "Now you watch me 60 to
the end Of this path"
He got foot into one treadle, and
went head first into flower patch,
the machine on top, with prodigious
crash.
"Hadn't you better tie it up to the
post until you get onl" suggested
Mrs. Spoopendyke.
"Leave me alone will yer 7" de.
manded Mr.. Spoopendyks, struggling
to an even keel. "I'm doing most Of
this myself. Now, you hold on, and
keep your mouth shut. 1t takes a
little practice, that's all"
: Mr.. Epoopendyke mounted again,
and scuttled along four or Eve feet,
and topped over on the grass plat.
aThat's splendid" commended his
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 ye ~
growled Mr.. Spoopendyke,. N don't
want any holding. 1t amt alive.
Stand back end give me room, now"
The third trial Mr.. Spoopendyks
ambled to the end Of the path, and
went down oil in Q heap among the
Aower-pots.
"Thats just too lovely for any.
thingg' proclaimed Mrs. spoopen.
dyke, aYou made more'n mile q
minute that time |"
"Come and take it of !" roared Mr.
Spoopendyke. aHelp me up bod
CAST the bicycle r. and the worthy
gentleman struggled and plunged
around like whale 10 shallow water.
Mrs. Spoopendyke assisted in right
ing him and brushed him of.
II know where you make your
mistake" said she. "The little
wheel ought to go frst like a buggy,
Try it that way going back"
"Msybe you can ride this bicy
Gle better than | can - howled Mr.
Gpoopendyke You know al abou'
vne.lsl 'Whas yaq need naw is /
lantern IN your mouth, and ten sn,
u,es behind tiue TO be The City Hal
clock II you had bucketiul o
water and handle you'd make 1
sle4p grindatone! Don't you see hi
biz gLpel b sat 70 20 ArstY'
eyes DEAR" muruured Mrs
Spdspendy Ike, "but [ thought if 20,
ysaal iced " III the little wheel at FIRST
you wop aa's have 20 lar to iall."
who fell Z" d,mauded air. spoop
epd,ke. Didn't ,su see me stei
~ inipped. that's all. NV ,o'
jus zach ne i back
Qups uore Mr. Spolpendyks s'sFt
ed 10, but the big wheel turned
around, and looked him in the face
end then began to stagger
sLo0k ont r squealei Mrs SpOOp
endyke.
Mr.. Spoopsndyke wrenphed away
and kicked, and struggled, but it wa
Of no avail. Down he came, and tn