Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-08-30
OUR TANDEM.

With vest on wrong side out hat hanging
on one ear, collar swapping, like the Star
Spangled Banner on a windy day. and nay
coat sticking straight out behind, l fell half
way down the stairs tore out the front door
to find my chum contentedly chewing gum
on the gate post, while waiting for my APP
pearance.
''Takes you an awful long timel" he
growled
"Where's the fires Whose is its" gasped
Nobody said anything about fire." was
the cool reply. "How much money have
you got?"
| stopped, appalled, at this question. Was
this what he wanted when he called me in
shch hasty rnannere rs
l looked at him closely to see if he was
clothed in his right mind, and, finding he
was, mechanically thrust my hand into my
pocket and drew forth a dime.
as that all you've got left out of your
quarters allowance" he inquired in tones of
establishment.
81 forgot had that, or''-
YOU'D have bought that jointed fish pole
of Davis yesterday" he finished. 'Well /
know you can put up twenty-five, and I've
got twenty-five fifty. l think we can rake
up two and half among the boys"
but what's it all about?" l asked in be-
wilderment.
"Didnt tell you when called you that
there's fellow over at the hotel with
tandem for sale?"
"a tandeml' 1 repeated, in dismay.
"Now, Mel, what"-
ooh, yes; what do we want with a tam
dem? Maybe we want it for scrap ironl
am informed that it is device like tricy-
Gle, designed to carry two persons-you and
l, for instance. You said last week you
wished you had something to make the fell
lows envious. Now, here's your chance"
Did | go into the schemea To be sure
did, head over heels.
While he started out to "rake up" two dol
lars and half, returned to my room to
finish my hasty toilet.
care you sure he'll take fifty dollars?"
asked, as joined him few moments later.
He'll have to- if he sells it to us" was the
wise rely. ''Here, you take charge of the
chinl1 and I'll do the talking"
''Mr. Morton's not up yet" replied the Off
cious clerk in response to Mel's inquiry for
the gentleman who possessed such wonder
full piece of mechanism as a tandem.
After tedious wait of fifteen minutes, he
called to Mel and pointed to a gentleman
standing near the Dining room door as the
party we wished to see.
''Well, yes; I've got tandem for sale,"
he said slowly, after a few preliminary re-
marks had been exchanged, eying us with a
view of making certain calculations on our
combined capital.
1t was on the top floor.
'There it is" remarked Mr. Morton, eau
tiously, as he threw open the door of small
room and pointed to a five foot concern
standing in one corner, the light from the
window glistening ON its polished nickel and
enamel
''Its ball bearing all around, with auto
matte steering bicycle handles, forty-two
inch drivers twenty inch steering wheel"
he went on glibly. AXLE is driven from
the center by two detachable link chains and
sprocket wheels, fitted with an automatic
balance gear, composed of three bevel wheels
and shaft by which the power is equally
transmitted to both Wheels" pause for
breath) sit has been used but few times;
original cost two hundred and fifty; will
take one fifty. What do you think of the
bargain?"
We had been examining the machine, but
at the mention of his price our hands came
off simultaneously. One hundred and fifty
dollarsl If he had said 81, 500 our surprise
could not have been greater
"Hemi" said Mel, cautiously, looking very
comically at me over the machine SIS that
the least you'll takes''
"Oh, | couldn't take less than thatr" re-
piled Mr.. Morton, decidedly.
"WEats the reasons for selling?' l in
quired, running my hands over the tires to
keep up appearances, seeing he looked at us
rather astonished.
They were cut in a great many places,
showing it had been run rather recklessly, if
used but few times
"Never mind the reasons for selling" an
swered Mr.. Morton, sharply. sit has moth
ing to do with the salen
Neither noticed the short reply, OF perhaps
we would have thought twice before proceed
ing
"Well give you $50; that's the best we can
do was Mel's offer.
Oh, he couldn't do it! Why it cost two
fifty; but after twenty minutes arguing, and
numerous false starts for the door, he sud-
denly changed his mind, accepted the $50,
and we became the happy possessors of a
tandem.
"Mr Brooks, the proprietor, strenuously
objected to my bringing it in, !" said Mr. Nor
ton, as he counted the money before placing
it in his pocket, $50 he may object to your
taking it out, ash
sob, no, he won't!" burst in the impetuous
Mel. ~ know Mr.. Brooks"
"Oh, very welll'' he replied with peculiar
smile, as he picked up valise. Il hope you'll
have no serious trouble"
"None at all" | responded, cheerfully.
And then his footsteps died away down the
hall
After great deal of ''see saving" we got
it through the door, | carried the front, Mel
the back, and down the stairs we went All
went well until we reached the bottom flight,
leading through the Office when we received
a startling check.
Hold on therel" shouted Mr.. Brooks, hur-
rying across the office. "Where are you
going with that machine?"
"Home," was our intrepid answer, in one
voice
~ guess notr' was the emphatic response
"Ive got $50 board bill tackled onto that
vehicle"
felt q sickening sensation come over me.
Thirty dollars more-eighty dollars. What
na4t2 Everything swan for an instant; then
| YVES aroused by Mei's awe struck voice
from above:
- say, Ben, can we stand itF'
Involuntarily glanced back at the shining
enamel and glittering nickel Its silent PEP
suasive powers were too much.
"Of course; we'll have to st-nd it'll" burst
forth.
'sIhen here goes" was the mournful reply.
And We once more descended.
Mel was brilliant conyersationalist; but
it took our combined oratorical powers and
the signing of two notes. each for fifteen dol
lars, before Mr.. Brooks would consent to LET
the machine pass over the door sill.
''No wonder Morton changed his mind and
let us have It'll" cried Mel, Indignantly, as we
pushed it into the street. Eighty dollars is
all it's worth"
Sand hoped we'd have no serious trouble"
Iadded, sarcastically.
Then we mounted, ] ip the front saddle,