Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-07-11

he would lend you little money. You
know he is kind according to his lights. y
SONY Madge and / want to read by
electricity, instead of knitting by
candle-light, as his grandmother did, .
said Daphne. ''Be bold, mamma! be
boldl"
Mamma laughed, and, after q nights
consideration, she gave her formal sane
ton to the tricycle., which arrived day
or two later.
"But do hope, she said, doubtfully,
as she examined its shining wheels and
springy seats, 81 do hope you won't try
to ride fast, Perhaps you can be more
ladylike about it, if you do it slowly. .
Such a time as we had in getting
started to ride at all First we made
over some old dresses, lsngthening the
skirts and relieving them of supertiuous
tags of trimming which might get
caught in the wheels. Then we learned
to oil the machine, and finally to manage
it. The cousins had written that. with
its fourth wheel behind, it was a clumsy
affair compared with their new three
wheeler; but we, who were used to no
lighter means of transportation than
the family wheelbarrow, were more than
satisfied with our new steed.
Our exalted sense of its merits at
once prompted us to christen it 'Pega-
sus, I" name which became Peggy" in
everyday conversation.
Fortunately, we lived several miles
from the village, and could practise
without fear of many spectators, but
whenever we did meet acquaintance or
stranger, we were saluted with grins and
witticisms. In spite of all this, how
ever, we did learn to ride, and day by
day we gained strength, and our color
frightened.
One June afternoon, after n longer
ride than usual, we found ourselves near
the little cress-road where Uncle Mel
cher lived. A year before, after quarrel
ling with the village authorities, he had
bought small cottage, eight miles from
church and store, and had taken up his
abode in it, with the pleasing conscious
ness that he had withdrawn rs far as
possible from the local civilization. 1t
was dreary place, but Uncle Mel liked
it, and Mrs. Simmons, his old house
keeper, tolerated what he chose.
'Madge," said Daphne, putting on
the brake, as we reached the cross-road,
"let's go and call ON Uncle Mel. It's
only two miles farther"
81 wouldn't for worlds said /. "He
is sure TO scold us for riding Peggy"
"Well, we can't help that. He knows
by this time that we have the machine,
and he might as we'll see it. Come, and
have it over. o Madge, before I'd be
afraid
For an answer / put my feet down
hard on the pedals, and started Peggy
onward. Girls don't like TO be dared
any more than boys do.
'I'll go, said 1, ''but we must hurry,
for it's getting late.
We turned into the narrow road, and
in due time reached the house. Uncle
Mel was sitting on the piazza, reading
newspaper, but after one long, steady
look at us, he got up and went indoors.
We had gone too far to retreat, and so
we alighted and walked up to the house.
"Tell them not to bring that thing a
foot nearer" came Uncle Mel's voice |
from the sitting room. "If they've a
mind to come in here like decent girls, |
they'r welcome, but / won't have any
Crazy james ridin bicycles up to my |
door,. just then Mrs. Simmons APP
peared in the entry. She was evidently |
glad we had heard the message, and that |
she need not repeat it.