The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1882-08-11
BICYCLE EXERCISE.
ME-, sPooPENDYKE PURCHASES A MA
CHINE AND MAKES MILE
MINUTE.

''Now. my DEAR" said Mr.. Spoopen
dyke, hurtying up to hia wife's room,
if you'll come down in the yard I've got
pleasant surprise for you."
"WLat is it 2" asked Mrs. Spoopen-
dyke, "what have yon got. a horse 2"
Guess again. grinued Mr.. Spoopeu-
dyke. Its something like horse"
81 know It's new parlor carpet.
That's what itisl" .
No, it isn't. either. I said it's some
thing like horse; that is, 1T goes when
you make it. Guess again"
sis it paint for the kitchen walls !"
asked Mrs. Spoopendyke, innocently.
mo it amt, and it Anita hogshead of
stove black n :, nor it amt set of din
ingroom furniture, nor it amt seven
gross Of stationary washtubs. Now, so
guess again.
"Then it must be some lace curtains
for the sitting room windows, Isn't that
just splendid2" aud Mrs. Syoopendy Ike
paLted her husband on both cheeks and
danced down and down with delight.
'It's bicycle, that's what it is a."
growle,l Mr.. Spoopendyke. II bought
it for exercise and I'm going to ride It,.
Come down aud see me.''
.'well, amt glad" calculated Mrs.
Spoopendyke. "You ought to have more
exercise. and if there's exercise in any
thing, it's in bicycle. Do let's see it r
Mr.. Spoopendyke conducted his wife
to the yard aud desconted at length on
the merits OF the machine.
I'm few weeks I'll be able to make
mile minute" he said as he steadied
the apparatus against the clothes post
and prepared to mount, ''Now. watch
me go to tile end of this path"
He got foot into one treadle and went
head FIRST into flower patch, the ma
chine on top with prodigIous crash.
"Hadn't you better tie it mp to the
post until you get on |" suggested Mrs.
Spoopendyke.
"Leave rue alone, will you?" demand
ed Mr.. Spoopendyke, struggling TO an
even keel "l'm dong most Of this my
self. Now you hold on and keep your
mouth shut. II takes little practice,
that's ALL"
Mr.. Spoopendyke mounted again and
skuttled along four or five feet and flop
ped over on the grass platt.
"That's splendid i" commended hii
wife. you've got the idea already
Let me hold it for you this time ~
"If you've got any extra strength yor
hold yonr tongue, will yer p" growlet
Mr.. Spoopendyke. ''It wont want an,
holding. 1t amt alive, stand back anS
give me room. now"
! The third trial Mr.. Spoopendyke am
bled to the end of the path and went all
in heap down among the flower pots.
/ ssThat's just too lovely for anything 2
proclaimed Mrs. Spoopendyke. Yol
made more'n mile minute that timer
.sCome and iakeft offl" roared Mr.
Spoopendyke. "Help me upl Bias
the bicycle " and the worthy Reniiema
struggled and plunged around like
! whale IL shallow water.
Mrs. Spoopendyke assisted him in rir
} ing and brushed him OF.
II know where you made your mii
take" said she, ''The little wheel ougl
to go first, like buggy. Try it tha
way going back.
Maybe you can ride this bicycle be
ter than / can / !" howled Mi. Spoopen
I. dyke. "You know all abont wheels
Whatyou needis a lantern in your mout
snd ten minutes behind time to be Il
! City Hall clock l Don't you see the b
7 wheel has got to 80 first ?"
"Yes, dear" murmured Mrs Spoopel
! dyke, "but / thought if you practice
with the little wheel al frst yC