Wichita eagle., 1886-12-08
WANTED TO BE REDUCED.
Turning Hopefully to Tricycle. to &c
Back Her Figure.

Bacl, Her Figure.
A young man went spinning up Riverside
drive on a wheel, swung to the left at the
semi-circle, made half a dozen sweeping gyra-
tons, like buZzard setting on q bough, and
alighted astraddle of his backbone-that is,
the backbone of the wheel-so near the re-
tanning wall that little more momentum
would have sent him head foremost over it.
1t all looked graceful enough to Indifferent
stocks and scionS of old families rolling by in
their victorias, carts and drags, but the young
mans hair had hardly settled back into place
when a barouche stopped beside him and a
sweet voice said:
"Will you be so good as to tell me, sir,
where | can buy tricyclc:'
The young man of the wheel gasped twice
when he brought his eyes to bear upon the
speaker. Age 35, more or less Tender-eyed
blonde Crimson checks. Dimples Roll
under the chin. Diamonds. Black satin
Yellow gloves. Bracelets. French heels.
Coachman. Footman. Skye terrier Weight
say 245 pounds.
Two hundred and forty-five pounds spin
ming up Riverside on a summer afternoon,
mercury 100 degrees!
Il want something to reduce me-" contin-
ued this fairy. Don't YOU think tricycle.
would reduce me? Are they hard to ride! |
wonder how long it would take me to learn.
| see you ride a bicycle. | couldn't do that
very well, but do so much wish to get tri-
cycle-that is, if it viii reduce me. What do
You think about it,"
-a-reaIiy-I-a-think it might reduce
one. But, pardon me, madam, I-a-don't
think that you-a-need reducing"
This gallant lie brought to the surface three
smiles and a roll of the head
ooh, l must be reduced. I am resolved
upon it. Why, used to be so slender, will
lowy, as they call it. I've tried everything
to get back my shape, but ell in vain, as You
see. No more flattery, if You please Ii is
wasted on an ugly, old. fat woman But
where can l set a tricycle.. | ride horseback
every day, but it doesn't reduce me one Bit
No! l should think it would-a-reduce
the-a-horse somewhat
oh, it does, it does. lie is nothing but a
pack of bones, cried the fairy's companion.
Age 10, Brunette Talor-made suit. V
shaped shirt bosom. Enameled studs. Stand
ing collar. June complexion. Smiled at
everything to give her pretty teeth fair
chance. Didn't require reducing.
Il am rather too heavy for poor Bucepha-
luS, chimed in the fairy. DO tell me about
the tricycle."
Madam, go down TO Blanks, in Fifty
eighth street, ask for Jones, hire Q pair Of
wheels for an hour and take spin up River
side, just to see how you like the sport"
~Oh, thank you ever so much. shall do
that. Are you riding every afternoon? l
think l shall be on my tri-my wheels. as you
say, tomorrow. do hope it Will reduce me-
1t ought to do it. Good afternoon. sir. and
thank You so much for your kindness"
The barouche with its fair burden rolled
away. The wind came swirling up the road.
lifting clouds of dust; other vehicles dashed
by the young man Of the wheel; q New York
Central freight train ratified along the track
below; SprlnkGng cart spurted and souirted
| In the semi-circle, but above all the din there
sounded one word in a tone hopeful. if pa
thetic-"reduced. New York Tribune.