Louisiana capitolian., 1881-08-09
BICYCLE EXERCISE.
Brooklyn Eagle,

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pleasant surprise for YOU"
"What is it p asked Mrs. Spoopen
dyke, 'what have you got, a horseP
"Guess again." grinned Mr.. Spoopen
dyke. "It's something like horse; tina
is, it goes when You make it. Cues
again
'Is it paint for the kitchen walls p
asked Mrs. Spoopendyke, innocently.
''No, it amt and it amt hogshead o
stove blacking, nor set of dining room
furniture, nor it amt seven gros'
of stationary wash-tubs. Now guess
again
"Then it must be some lace curtain:
for the sitting room windows. Isn't
that just splendid |" and Mrs. SpQppen
dyke patted her husband on both cheeks
and danced up and down with delight
'It's a 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 bicycle. Do let's see
itw
Mr.. Spoopendyke conducted his wife
to the yard and descanted at length on
the merits of the machine.
''In few weeks I'll be able to make
a mile q minute" he said, as he stead
led the apparatus against the clothes
post and prepared to mount. "Now
you watch me 90 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 prodigious
crash.
"Hadn't you better tie it mp to the
post until you get on" suggested Mrs.
Spoopendyke.
"Leave me alone, will i" demanded
Mr.. Spoopendyke, struggling to an even
keel 'Fm doing most of this 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 flop
ped over on the grass plat.
"That's splendid" commended his
wife. "You've got the idea already,
Let me hold it for you this time
eff you've got any extra strength You
hold your tongue, will ye" growled Mr.
Spoopendyke. at 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 heap among the flower
pots.
"That's just too lovely for anything"
proclaimed Mrs. Spoopendyke. "You
made more'n mile a minute, that time.
"Come and take it Otfw roared Mr..
Spoopendyke. ''Help me up bod gast
the bicyclen and the worthy gentle
man struggled and plunged around like
a whale in shallow water.
Mrs. Spoopendyke assisted in righting
him and brushed him off.
81 know where you make your mis-
taxi" ":said she. "The little wheel ought
to go first, like a buggy. Try it that
way going back"
Maybe you can ride this bicycle bet
ter than cam" howled Mr.. Spoopen-
dyke. "YOu know all about wheels !
What you need now is lantern in your
mouth and ten minutes behind time to
be the City Hall clock! If you had a
bucket of water and a handle you'd
make a steam grindstone Don't you
see the big wheel has got to go first p
ayes, DEAR" murmured Mrs. Spoop-
endyke, "but l 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 90 back"
Once more Mr.. spoopendyke started
in, but 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 no
avail. Down he came. and the bicycle
was hopeless wreck.
"What'd ye want to yell for9" he
shrieked. Couldn't you keep your
measly mouth shutN what dye think