National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-11-14
THE BOY AND THE B1CYcLER.


Tho deep shades of an autumn evening had
fallen upon the city streets, shades unrelieyod
by CLEAN of light save here and there
lurd glare in the eye of OF apedcstrian MS he
stumbled into n gutter which neither the moon
nor she gas company illuminod. It was the
moons night on, but she was individually
detained by pressing. engagement, and the
commissioner astronomer had failed to
notify them Of her absence. II was Al Hal
low Eve, night when spirits walk, when
strange and mysterious deeds arc done, when
for a time the elements ol evil hold carnival.
What is this shadowy form that glides so
swiftly and secretly across Third street, and in
n moment Is lost In the dariness2 IL IL
some unhappy spirit, doomed for past mis-.
deeds to wander darkllng among the scenes of
its former crlmcs2 Is II an imp, spoclar or
goblin abroad on SOME evil errand3 No, but
1t Is a boy, bounding, beamish boy, who has
sailed forth with the sparkling viyuCity Of
youth, communing thus with himself: Its
Halloween Tonight will with chosen few
of kindred spirit tho multltu1inOts town In
carmidinc. Far, far from my boyhood's home
will wander, to Il point 50 remote that cen II
mothers wOtchlul eye will not dcscry me, nor
me lnthcrs clarion tones be heard cNclaiming,
iii there, johnny It's time to come in
I'll hie me to yon dnrksome corner and
armed with -four distracted from the maternal
barrel VIII patiently await what chance may
hap
In silence and patience he waits, undaunted
by the steady tread Of policeman who satin-
ters casually by, lightly and suggestively tap.
ping rs he passed the lamp-pOsts with his club
lie hears the shrlll and piercing whistle of the
boy on the next square, and ycarns to demand
of him, "Oh come yo in peace here or como
ye in war; but he turns II denf car to tho
temptation and still keeps his patient vigil,
waiting and watching for some giileicss pcdes-
trian upon whom TO bestOW the Hour
At last his heroic endurance Il rewarded
He secs advancing swiftly aud steadily down
the asphalt Il cleaning light. His heart leaps
with Joy. This IS all and moro than his fancy
painted. All things come round to him who
will but wait. lis u biCyclcr, advancing erect
and unsuspccting upon his, doom. oh little
Will the bravery OF silver buttons ol Jauhty
cap with silver band and badge, avail him nowl
Even bis cerulean stockings cannot save him
from that fell Boy.
Why so helpless as the Bicyclcr? Pcrched
upon his lOly seat, during to swcrve neither
to the right hand nor to the LETT, with eyes
that look straight before him, what were
easier than to dash suddenly upon him, Hing
in his face and eyes the binding mass of Hour,
and then from some safe and secluded arcn
have the pleasure of seeing him, bin ded and
bewildcred, tumble ANONYMOUSLY from his
wheel perhaps-dclightfu thought-see him
brain himself upon the curbstone and spntter
the street with his gore. No sooner thought of
than executed. With the promptness and en-
ergy of u Napoleon, the Frolicksome Youth
springs forth. Quick as thought the Hour ilies
upon The BicyClcrs doomed head, into his
eyes, his cars his nose, his mouth; binding,
deaicning, strangllng him.
But alasl alas for the too bright anticipa-
tions, the too rosy visions of youth. The Bi-
cycler, like John Gipin, Is "a citizen of yalor
and rcnown" Though deprived for the mo-
ment Of most of his faculties, he still retains
the use Of his hands aud his feet. In n second
he leaps from his bicycle, with fire as well rs
flour In his eye, and goes for the Frolicsome
Youth ere he has time to execute the mastery
retreat he had planned. A disinterestcd
passcr-by holds the Wheel and in u few mo-
ments there Is barely enough lelt OF the Frollc-
some Youth to pipe out, ''Ill get my father
after you"
"All right" replies the undaunted Bicycler,
"here's my address; bring him along, and I'll
clean you both out"
Tho Frolcsomc Youth has probably reflected
that his father might ask embarrassing. ques-
tiOns, rs for instance "llOw came the Man to
fall upon You, an innocent and unolending
BoyY' or, who gave you permission to stay
out after darkY' And therefore forborne to
mention the subject, as neither Boy nor parent
has appeared.
HlCc hisiOrid doce, that the Frolicsome Youth
ere meddlng with the mettlesome Bicycler
had better know his man.
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