News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-06-29
THE WHIRLIGIG CLUB.

The Whirligig Club had been in ex-
istence more than two months, and the
citizens of West Ridge, one and all, had
several times called it a nuisance, al
though they could not help smiling
with admiration at the boys as they
whizzed past the houses and street COR
ners on their tbikes."
As for the mothers and sisters of the
members, they had gradually become
reconciled to it, and were no longer in
hourly expectation of having the young
sters brought home insensi5le on shut
ters or cellar doors, nor in dread of
having to reach cut aL pick them of
the iron fence, on the sharp points of
which they had seemed determined to
impale themselves at first, so wildly
had their unmanageable steeds wabbled
about.
Johnny had just joined the ranks. He
had been an honorary member ever
since the cub started but now, the
ownership of a machine made him at
once most active working member.
It was proud day for Johnny when
he found himself the possessor of BIZ
cycle. He was favorite with all the
"WLirligiggers," so, when he came
into view, mounted on his new ''steed, :"
the group greeted him with hearty
cheer, and he was taken into full mem
bership on the spot.
alt is even taller than mine" said
Bob, as they all gathered around to ad-
mire it and he said it so unseifshly
that Johnny inwardly resolved to be his
friend as long as he lived for Bob had
until now enjoyed the distinction of hav-
ing the largest bicycle in the Club.
We ought to do something to ceIe-
brate his initiation" said Frank, after
each member had taken trial trip on
the new machine, and expressed an
opinion on the workipg-powers.
"We must have grand ride all to-
gether, some day soon," suggested
Bob.
This proposal met with instant favor,
and received the appreciation of the en-
tire Club but when Joe suggested that
they should go at night, and that no.
body should know a word about it,
some demurred. The proposal was
rather startling. But the more they
talked it over, the better they liked it /;
and even those who had at first object
ed came at length TO the conclusion
that it was the one proper way to have
celebration. So the Club stlfsd any
whisperings of cons cience about the
propriety of going without leave, and
UNANIMOUSLY declared the matter set
tied.
1t took great deal of talking to ar
range the details of The plan, but it was
finally decided that they should go out
on the Mill road, and then cross over
and come in on the West road, and that
Thursday evening, at ten o'clock, would
be the best time for the start.
Johnny and Ned, because the win
dows of their rooms were not adapted
to silent departure, were to get per-
mission to spend the night with Bob
and Joe, who possessed windows open
ing upon low roofs, which made quiet
exit easy. They were to meet at the
CROSSROADS a little before ten, and to
start as near that hour as possible.
When the evening came, the roads
were found to be all that the most ex-
acting bicycler could ask. Joe aud Ned
were the first at the place of rendezvous,
bnt they had not long to wait until all
the others came speeding up to them,
either singly or in pairs.
"Call the roll p said Ben, as the Iast
two rolled into the circle-for the Club,
although it numbered only seven
members, never started on any. ex-
pedition without attending to this i'm
portant duty.
"Ned Alvin. Johnny Ellis, Joe Cad
dis, Frank Long, Ben Webster, Davie
Faxtop," called Bob Gridley, just above
a whisper, and SO rapidly that the owner
of name had barely time to answer be-
fore the next was called.
"Now we're ready" added Bob; and
on the instant the entire seven mounted
their machines, and as Bob, who was
leader for the evening, blew three notes
softly on his whistle, away they flew.
Their r,lsca of meeting had been inst
on the edge of the town, and a few min
utes' ride took them past the last house
and out upon the country road.
They had not gone half mile when
two notes from Bob's whistle m lde them
slacken speed, and, as they drew up in
a group around him, Bob suggested that
when they came to the Mill road, which
was only little way ahead, they should
turn off, and go around by Long Pond.
The proposal took away their breath !;
but finally Davie found enough to ex-
claim Why, that is fully an eight
mile trip"
"What is eight miles ?" asked Bob;
"there isn't one of us but can do it. To
be sure, it is little farther than we
ever have been, but of course we can
make il. ("
But how long will it take P"
"More than twice as far /" "ThereIl
be hill to go over," came from several
members at once. But these obiec-
tiops were followed by An nstantaneous