Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-07
GYMNASIUM AND THE WHEEL.
A Young Woman who Found Pleasure
and Health on y Bicycle.

To the Editor of The EvESIso SrAH.
In a recent edition Of the STAR read with
interest letter from an "Active Young Lady,
anent a gymnasium for women. 1 talked IL
over with q friend of mine and we came to the
conclusion that If you could spare little room
to Us We should like to help the good cause
and relate our experience.
Some years ago went about trying desperate
ly to collect a class OF girls who would form the
pucleus of a gymnasium. We secured the use
OF hall fitted up with all the necessary appli-
ances: bars, rings, ladders, etc., if we could
get a class of sufficient number together to
make it worth while. Permission was obtained
for me and one friend to come for half an
hour every day and use the apparatus, while
was hunting for the eight necessary ones to
complete the class and give us q right and
title in the establishment
For month we two went every day. few
into our TUNES and trowsers and swung, ran.
leaped and frolicked generally, till we had used
up our time, taking with us tremendous appe-
titles and a general sense of well being. The
time dew and we were still as far from forming
the class as we were at first. Lots Of people
were enthusiastic when the subject was men,
toned to them. but they never quite came up
to the deciding point. knew there must be
no end OF girls somewhere who felt as did:
that exercise meant life or all that makes life
worth having-health and good spirits-but
simply couldn't find them. My friend went
away and was left all alone TO represent the
muscular young women of Washington, and
then retired, for knew that it was an impo-
sl'lon to keep the place open for me and l de-
spared OF finding any one who felt and thought
as did.
Well, for time boarded in the country.
and with tennis after got home and my In
dian clubs managed SO well as not to regret
the loss OF my gymnasium. but when winter
came again and was in town in room too
small to think of clubs, I tried to keep up
what had gained by regular exercises. But
felt Indigestion slowly getting its claws ON me
and began again in another direction.
WHEELING.
tried tricycling. 1t solved the difficulty for
me and have not had anything to find fault
with since then. Six months ago 1 substituted
the bicycle for the tricycle., and now, although
would be glad indeed for the institution of a
gymnasium for girls and women, don't feel
dependent on that the only way in which
can get the exercise want. / am perfectly
independent OF any others cooperation. find
that my wheel gives me the ability to digest
tacks, if found it necessary to subsist on them;
steep without waking from the time my head
Is fairiy on the pillow; my working hours are
long, but find myself easily able to stand them
and enjoy life; l don't feel cross any more;
am prepared to find friends on all sides. instead
of that dreadful nobody -loyes-me" feeling.
ana, thanks to my wheel, l am as strong and
Wei woman, confidently assert, as there is
In the United States--a broad assertion, but
then don Y see how any one could be stronger
and ireer from ache and pain. Then I get such
an amount OF fun out Of my wheel. Country
runs are revelation to the great majority Of
women. Think of starting out about O'Clock,
especially now when the days are 30 delicious:
getting out i'll the country and for an hour and
a nan or so flying up hill and down dale; COM
ing nome with every nerve in a Jingle, with ad-
ventures to tell, and disposition to sing aud
whistle II you are alone, and q predisposition
10 laugh on the slightest provocation If there
Is any one about to compare experiences with
mus lar have come across nothing that has
done me so great a service, and / am growing
more and more enthusiastic every day. Why
don't more girls take it up2 Just let them try it
for a little and then tell us their experiences l
know the apparent extravaganza daunts many
and many girl, but here l can give them some
practical Information. Go and look at the
wheels, learn to ride, and then choose the one
you want. Talk to the dealer you decide to
purchase from and your experience will be
very different from mine if you don't find that
you VIII be able to make arrangements that
Will make the luxury you contemplate prove
the greatest economy you ever went in for Say
you select one Of the most expensive wheels,
buylng 1t on instruments. taking year to
finish paying for it. You have the use of the
wheel for all that time, you are saving car fare
and when 1t Is at last your own you have a
piece OF property worth within $40 of what YOU
gave for it, not to speak of the fun you have
had out OF it, the actual money in car fare you
have saved. and, above al, the immense i'm
provement in your health and well being.
acknowledge that am an enthusiast on the sub
Ject, but have yet to meet the wheel woman
who is not. Won't some other wheel woman
help to keep the ball rolling by giving their
experiences? "ANorHER COUNTRY"