The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1881-08-11
SPOOPENDYKE'S BICYCLE.
HOW HE BOUGHT IT FOR EXERCISE
AND IT EXERCISED HIN.

AND IT EXERCISED HIN.
"Now, my DEAR" said Mr.. Spoop-
endyke, hurrying up to his wife's
room, ''if you'll come down in the
yard I've got a pleasant surprise
for you"
"What is it," asked Mrs. Spoop-
endyke, "What have you got a
horse!"
"Guess again." grinned Mr..
Spoopendyke. "It'S something
like horse"
81 know! It's new parlor car
pet. That's what is"
'.No, it isn't either. l said it's
something like a horse; that is, it
goes when you make it. Guess a
gain"
SIS it paint for the kitchen walls!"
asked Mrs. Spoopendykes, limo
Gently.
"No, it AIM, and it amt hogs
head of stove backing, nor it amt
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.
ats bicycle, that's what it is"
growled Mr.. Spoopendyke. 81
bought it for exercise and I'm 90
ing to ride it. Come down and
see me-"
"Well, amt glad" calculated
Mrs. Spoopendyke. "You ought
to have more exercise, and ifthere's
exercise in anything it's in BIZ
cycle. Do let's see it,"
Mr.. Spoopendyke conducted his
wife to the yard and descanted at
length on the merits Of the ma
chine.
''In few weeks I'll be able to
make a mile a minute" he said,
as he steadied the machine against
the clothes post and prepared to
mount. "Now you watch me go
to the end Of this path"
He got a foot into one treadle
and went head first into a flower
patch, the machine on top with
prodigious crash.
"Hadn't you better tie it up to
the post until you get on" suggest
ed Mrs. Spoopendyke.
''Leave me alone, will yel" de-
manded Mr.. Spoopendyke, strug-
Cling to an even keel. "I'm do
ing most ofthis myself. Now you
hold on and keep your mouth shut.
1t takes little practice, that's all"
Mr.. Spoopendyke mounted again
and scuttled along four or five feet
and topped over on the grass plat.
CHATS splendid!' commended
his wife. you've got the idea al
ready. Let me hold it for you this
time.o
''1fyou've got any extra strength
you hold your tongue, will ye9"
growled Mr.. Spoopendyke. cit
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 a heap among the
fowerpots. "That's inst too love
ly for anything!' proclaimed Mrs.
Spoopendyke. You made more'n
mile minute that time!'
Come and take it OFF, roared
Mr.. Spoopendyke. Help me up!
Dog CAST the bicycle?' and the wor-
thy gentleman struggled and plung,
ed around like a whale in shallow
water.
Mrs. Spoopendyke assisted in
righting him and brushed him off.
4 know where you make your
mistake said She The little
wheel ought to go first, like bug
gy. Try it that way going back
May be you can ride this BIZ
cycle better than l can't howled
Mr.. Spoopendyke. You know
all abont wheels! What you need
now is a lantern in your mouth and
ten minutes behind time to be the
city hall clockl If you had a buck
ct of water and a handle you'd make
a steam grindstone2 Don't you
see the big wheel has got to 60 frsts'
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!' demanded Mr..
Spoopendyke. "Didn't you see
me step off! l tripped; that's all.
Now you just watch me 90 back.
Once more Mr.. Spoopendyke
started in, but the big wheel turn
ed around and looked him in the
face, and then began to stagger.
Look QUIT squealed Mrs. Spoop
endyke.
Mr.. Spoopendyke wrenched a.
way and kicked and struggled, but
it was of no avail. Down he came,
and the bicycle was a hopeless
wreck.
What'd We want to yell for2'
he. shrieked. Couldn't We keep
your measly mouth shutl What
dye think y'are, any how, a fog
horne Dog CAST the measly bicyclen
and Mr.. Spoopendyke hit it a kick
that folded him up like a bolt of
muslin.
s'Never mind nv dear" consol-