Wichita eagle., 1889-07-05
9ai1Y Eas1e
4 TRICYCLE. STORY

Is was most exciting letter. Mamma
read it aloud to Daphne and NE at the break
last table, and we looked at one another in
emazemeut over its most important part, the
Postscript
You know my girls have been riding a
tricycle. for some time" Aunt Margaret had
written. They have had one with an at
tachment. 80 that it can be used By one per-
sen or as Q tander-that Is, used By two rid
ers. Lately, however, they have been teasing
for a new tandem, with certain improve
ments-about which don't IN the least IN
derstand-and have bought IL on condition
that they give The old one 70 your girls. As
you have 30 horse I know they VIII enjoy it
exceedingly"
did you ever hear Of anything SO charm
ingg" cried Daphne, clasping her hands
II don't know, dears," said mamma, more
doubtfuIly. II should be sorry to have you
undertake enything that might be considered
peculiar or unladyEke"
aunt Margaret lets her girls ride!"
"Yes, but they are near the city, where the
fashion Is beginning 70 spread I don't see,
for my own part, why you shouldn't do it,
even If you are booted; but, girls, cant help
thinking Of Uncle Melcher.5
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 hsd come when We needed
70 go away to school Mamma had always
taught Is that it was mistake to suppose the
world owed Us living.
You have no right 10 your uncles money
simply because he has great deal and You
have none,n she said But II he would lend
you . small sum for beginning, think you
could work your way st Ellsworth seminary.
You would pledge yourselves to repay 1t,
with interest, when you are old enough 10
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 be. what
fori Ny 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
30 make bread and darn stockings, and when
Tn done with my money, you shall have II
all"
Mamma after nights consideration gave
her formal sanction to the tricycle., which ar
rived day or two later.
But I do hope" she said, doubtfUlly, as
she examined its shining wheels and sprngy
seats, Il do hope you won't try 10 ride fast
Perhaps you can be more ladylike about it IL
you do il slowly"
Such time as we had in getting started TO
ride at aul First We made over some old
dresses, frightening the skirts aud relieving
them Of superfuoUs tags Of trimming which
might get caught il the wheels. Then we
learned to oil the machine, and finally 70
manage IL The cousins had written that,
with its fourth wheel behind, it was a clumsy
affair compared with their new three wheel
er; but we who were used 70 no lighter means
OF transportation than the family wbeelbar-
row. were more than satisfied with our new
steed
One June afternoon, after a longer ride
than usual, we found ourselves near the little
crosToad where Uncle Melcher lived. A
year before, after quarreling with the village
authorities. he had bought q small cottage
eight miles from church and store, and had
taken up his abode II it, with the pleasing
consciousness that he had withdrawn as far
as possible from the local civilization twas
q dreary place, but Uncle Mel liked it, and
Mrs Simmons, his old hoUsekeeper, tolerated
what ne chose.
brake as we reached the crossroad, lets go
farther"
Il wouldn't for worlds" said I. 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 il over.
o, Madge, before I'd be afraid!''
g5..% I
the pedals, and started Peggy onward Girls
don't like to De dared any more than boys do
I'll go" said I, ''but we must hurry, for
its getting late. s"
We turned into the narrow road, and in
due time reached the house. Uncle Mel was
sitting on the piazza reading a newspaper,
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
nearerI- came Uncle Meis voice from the
sitting room If they've a mind 70 come
In here ike decent girls they're welcome, but
/ won't have any crazy james ridln' bicycles
up to NY door" Just then Mrs Simmons
appeared in the entry. She was evidently
glad we had heard the message, and that she
AcSO lOk ESEc-s H.
You Jest roll It back q mite" she wills
pered You know your uncle's q leetle sOt."
So we meekIy trundled poor Peggy behind
the big syriuga bush, and then walked into
the house with as much cumposure as We
could summon. Uncle Mel was sitting in his
great chair, drumming with his fingers on
the table. That was s. signal we knew well;
it meant "DangerI'
What do you mean by comm here on that
thingF he inquired
1--WE were riding near here, and 500 we
thought we'd call, said Daphne, family.
I've heard all about it." went on Uncle
Mel Deacon Tolrnan says you're the talk
OF the town, ridin' round on that new tangled
steam engine. Il you blow Up with it its al
you deserve
1T doesn't go by steam, uncle, ventured
Don't tall me what il goes BY 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 Ter miIdest
iona and strove TO draw Us cut Of tie roon