Milford chronicle., 1889-07-19
A TRICYCLE. STORY.

It was a most exciting letter. Mamma
read it aloud to Daphne and me at the break
fast table, and we looked at one another in
amazement over its most important part, the
postscript.
''You know my girls have been riding a
tricycle. for some time,n Aunt Margaret had
written. "They have had one with an at
tachment, so that it can be used by one per
son or as tandem-that is, used by two rid
ers. Lately, however, they have been teasing
for a new tandem, with certain improve
ments-about which I don't In the least I'M
derstand-and l have bought it on condition
that they give the Old one to your girls. As
you have no hsezSAI know they will enjoy it
exceedingly
did you ever near of anything so charm
ingI" cried Daphne, clasping her hands,
Il don't know, dears, - said mamma, more
doubtfully II should be sorry to have you
undertake anything that might be considered
peculiar or unladylike.'
"Aunt Margaret lets her girls ridein
"Yes, but they are near the city, where the
fashion is beginning to spread. don't see.
for my own part, why you shouldn't do it,
even If you are hoOted; but, girls, can't help
thinking Of Uncle Melcher."
So did we think of him; we thought and
spoke OF him too often for our peace Of mind
Uncle Mel was rich, and we were very poor.
Moreover the time had come when we needed
to go away to school Mamma had always
taught us that it was a mistake to suppose the
world owed US a living.
you have no right to your uncles money
simply because he has great deal and you
have none,n she said 'But if he would lend
you a small sum for beginning, think you
could work your way at Ellsworth seminary
You would pledge yourselves to repay it,
with interest, when you are old enough to
support yourselves; and though he would be
taking risk, we should all try to make that
risk as small as possible"
But when the scheme was proposed to
/ Uncle Mel. he vetoed it at once and with the
utmost vigor.
go away to school" cried he. what
| fort My mother never studied beyond long
division, nor yet my grandmother, and they
were good housekeepers and excellent wo-
men. You be good, sensible girls and learn
to make bread and darn stockings, and when
I'm done with my money, you shall have it
all"
Mamma after a nights consideration gave
her formal sanction to the tricycle., which ar
rived day or two later
But / do hope" she said, doubtfully, as
she examined its shining wheels and springy
seats, II do hope you won't try to ride fast.
Perhaps you can be more ladylike about it if
you do it slowly"
Such time as we had in getting started to
ride at ALL First we made over some old
dresses, frightening the skirts and Fe1ieyihg
them Of superduous tags Of triEHRiag Which
might get caught in the wheelS FhsH We
learned to oil the machine, aad finally to
manage It, The cousins had written that,
with its fourth wheel behind, il was clumsy
affair compared with their new three wheel
er; but we who were used to no lighter means
of transportation .h.n the family wheelbar-
row, were more - satisfied with our new
steed.
One June afternoon, after a longer ride
than usual, we found ourselves near the little
crossroad where Uncle Melcher lived A
year before, after quarreling 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
consciousness that he had withdrawn as far
as possible from the local civilization. It was
a dreary place, but Uncle Mel liked it, and
Mrs Simmons, his old housekeeper, tolerated
what he chose.
"Madge," said Daphne, putting on the
brake as we reached the crossroad, ''letis go
and call on Uncle Mel It's only two miles
farther"
81 wouldn't for worlds" said L "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 well see it. Come, and have it over
o, Madge, before I'd be afraid"
For an answer I 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'n go" said 1, "but we must hurry, for
it's getting laten
We turned into the narrow road, and in
due time reached the house Uncle Mel was
sitting on the piazza reading a 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 foot
nearerl" came Uncle Mel's voice from the
sitting room. ''If they've a mind to come
in here like decent girls they're welcome, but
won't have any crazy james ridin' bicycles
up to my door" Just then Mrs. Simmons
appeared in the entry. She was evidently
glad we had heard tAA message, and that she
need not repeat it.
''You jest roll it back a mite" she whis-
pered. you know your uncle's a eetle sot."
So VIC meekly trundled poor Peggy behind
the big syringa bush, and then walked into
the house with as much composure as we
could summon. Uncle Mel was sitting in his
great chair, drumming with his fingers on
the table. That was a signal we knew well;
it meant "Dangerp
"What do you mean by comm here on that
thingF he inquired.
1--WE were riding near here, and $3.50 we
thought we'd call, " said Daphne, family
"Pve heard all about it." went on Uncle
Mel Deacon TUiman says you're the talk
Of the town, ridm' round on that new tangled
steam engine II you blow up with it its all
you deserve"
at doesn't go by steam, uncle, ventured.
Don't tell me what it goes byl don't
want to know anything about it The Least
expect is you'll break your mothers heart
and 60 to ruin, circus ridin' round the coun-
try"
Just then dear, comforting Mrs Simmons
reappeared- There's some bread and milk |
on the kitchen table" she said, In her mildest |
tone and strove to draw us out of the room /
without attracting ihis attention. That was
impossible.
You're welcome to the bread andnill, /" he /
said, "but you amt welcome to make my |
house a rendyvoo for such COINS on. Now |
you hear to me, once for all: don't you bring |
that thing within mile Of me again while |
you have it"
mo, sir" said meekly, and we hastened |
out after Mrs Simmons
Even she had word of disapproval |
Seems II you might ha' known how he'd /
take it" she remarked, as we began to drown |
care In tho Ao,r-f,,r. boxy1 Of mill