The Press., 1889-11-14
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.
 ssYou know my girls have been riding q tricycle. for some time, ,n Aunt Margaret had. written. 'sThey have had one with an att tachment, so that 1t can be used by one per- son or as tandem-that is, used by two rid- ers Lately, however, they have been teasing for new tandem, with certain improve ments-about which don't in the least un- derstand-and have bought it on condition that they give the old one to your girls. As you have no horse know they will enjoy it exceedingly"
 Ibid you ever hear of anything go charm ingln cried Daphne, clasping her hands.
 q don't know, dears, said mamma, more doubtfully. II should be sorry to have you undertake anything that might be considered peculiar or unladylike."
 ssAunt Margaret lets her girls ride!"
 "Yes, but they are near the city, wherethe 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 mistake to suppose the world owed us living.
 s'You have no right to your uncles money simply because he has 8 great deal and you have none, she said. But if he would lend you small sum for 8 beginning, think you could work your way at Ellsworth seminary. You would pledge yourselves to repay it., :,,%o nx>ll 4 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.
 'sGo away to schoolr' cried he "What for? My mother never studied beyond long division, nor yet my grandmother, and they were good housekeepers and excellent wo-s 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" e
 Mamma after 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, "I do hope you won't try to ride fast. Perhaps you can be moro ladylike about 1t if you do it slowly"
 Such time as we had in getting started to ride at all First we made over some old dresses, lengthening the skirts and relieving them of superfuous 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, 1t was clumsy affair compared with their new three wheel- CT; but we who were used tono lighter means of transportation than the family wheelbArk row, were more than satisfied with our new steed
 One June afternoon, after a longer rids than usual, we found ourselves near the little crossroad where Uncle Melcher lived. A year before, after quarreing 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. Itwas 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, ''iet's go and call on Uncle Mel. It's only two miles farther"
 ''I wouldn't for worldsl" 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 1t over. O, Madge, before I'd be afraidr'
 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 I, "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.
 "Tel them not to bring that thing a foot nearer!" came Uncle Mels voice from the sitting room. A'f they've mind to come in here like decent girls they're welcome, but Iwon't have any crazy James ridin' bicycles up to my door," Just then Mira Simmons appeared in the entry. She was evidently glad>we had heard the message, and that she need not repeat it.
 You jest roll it back a mite" she whis- pered. You know your uncles leetle sot. "
 So we meekly trundled poor Peggy behind the big syringa bush, and then walked intD 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 we'll; it meant "Dangerl"
 ''What do you mean by comin' here on that thing?' he inquired.
 "We were riding near here, and se-so we thought we'd call, ]" said Daphne, faintly.
 five heard all about it, ," went on Uncle Mel Deacon Holman says you're the talk of the town. ridin' round on that new fangled steam engine. If you blow up with 1t it's all you deserve"
 "It doesn't go by steam, uncle, ," ventured.
 Don't tell me what it goes byi, 1don't want to know anything about 1t. The least expect is you'll break your mothers heart and go 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 .his attention. That wal impossible
 You're welcome to the bread and milk, ' he said, ''but you aint welcome to make my house rendyvoo for such goin's on. Now you hear to me, once for all: don't you bring that thing within a mile of mo again whfle you have it. " E ''No, sir" said meeEly, and we hastened out after Mrs Simmona Even she had a word of disapprovaI "Seem's if you might ha' known how he'd take it," she remarked, as we began to drown care in the flowing bowl of milk.
 Don't you get lonesome herefssI inquired. It had become desirable to change the sub iaet of conversation, s#