Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-09-24
From the Brooklyn "a gle

IDOH1> IL gOu Al CbIIS uJWH III btlt
yard I've pleasant surprise for
you.'
"What is il - asked Mrs. Spoop-
endyke; ''what have you got, a
horse ~
Guess again" grinned Mr..
Spoopendyke. dts something like
a horse.
Il know Is a new parlor car
pet. That's what it is
mo it isn't, either / said it's
something like horse; that is. it
goes when you make 10. Guess
again"
1T isn't paint for the kitchen
walls 7" asked Mrs. Sroependyke,
innoceutly.
mo, it amt, and it ata't "a hogs
head OF stove-blacking. Eer 1t 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
curtains for the sitting room win
dows. Isn't that just splendid 2"
and Mrs. Spoopendyke patted her
husband on both cheeks aud danced
UP and down with delight.
Its bicycle, that's what it is :"
growled Mr.. Spoopendyke. Il bought
it for exercise, and Pm going to ride
it. Come down and see me-"
swell, amt | glad ~ calculated
Mrs Spoopendyke. "You ought to
have more exercise, and if there's
exercise in anything it's in bicycle
Do let's see it,"
Mr.. Spoopendyke conducted his
wife to the yard, and descauted at
length on the merits of the machine.
''In IA few weeks Iii be able to
make mile minute, he said, as
he steadied the apparatus against
the clothes-post and prepared to
mount. Now, you watch me go to
the end of the path
lie got foot on to one treadle,
aud went head first into a flower
patch, the machine on top with a
prodigious crash.
Hadn't you better tie it to the
post until you get on 7" suggested
Mrs. Spoopendyke.
Leave me alone, will ye 20 de-
manded Mr.. Spoopendyke, strug-
Cling to an even keel. ''l'm doing
most Of this myself. Now you hold
on, and keep your mouth shut. Ii
takes a little practice, that's ALL"
Mr.. Spoopendyke mounted again,
and scuttled along four or five feet,
and Topped over on the grass plat.
That's splendid Recommended his
wife. you've got the idea already.
Let me hold it for you this time"
IF you have got any extra strength
you hold your tongue, will YEP"
growled Mr.. Spoopendske. at don't
want any holding. 1t amt alive.
Stand back and give me room, now. ("
The third trial Mr.. Spoopendyke
ambled to the end of the path, and
went down all in heap among the
tlower-pots.
THAT'S just too lovely for any
thing !" proclaimed Mrs. Spoopen-
dyke. "You made mCre'n a mile a
minute that time"
Come and take it of :" roared
Mr.. Spoopendyke. "Help me up
Dod7gast the bicycle ~ and the
worthy gentleman struggled and
plunged around like whale in shall
low water.
Ms. Spoopendyke assisted in
righting him and brushing him off.
! know where you made your mis-
take" said she. The little wheel
ought to go first, like q buggy. Try
it that way going back
''May be you can ride this bicycle
better than / can ~ howled MIR.
Spoopendyke. "You know all about
wheels What you need now is a
lantern in your mouth and ten min
utes behind time to be the City Hall
clock If you had bucket of wa
ter and handle you'd make a steam
grindstone DON'T you see the big
wheel has got to so first -
Yes, DEAR" murmured Mrs.
Spoopendyke; but l thought if you
practiced with the little wheel at
first. you wouldn't have SO far to
FALL"
"Who fell r. demanded AIr. Spoop-
endyke. Didn't you see me step
off? l tripped, that's all. Now you
just watch me go back"
Once more Mr.. Spoopendyke start
ed in, but the big wheel turned a. d
looked him in the face, and then be-
gan to stagger.
"Look out J" said Ms. Spoopen-
dyke.
Mr.. Spoopendyko wrenched away,
aud kicked and pulled and strug-
gled, but it was of no avail. Down
he came, and the bicycle was hope
less wreck.
"What'd you yell for ~ he shout
ed. "Couldn't We keep your measely
mouth shut ? What dye think We
are anyhow-a fog horne Dod-gast
the measely bicycle - And Mr..
Spoopendyke hit it kick that fold
cd him up like bolt Of muslin.
Never mind, my dear" consoled
Mrs. Spoopendyke. "I'm afraid the