Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1891-07-17


in the operation of shaving for this i'm
portant occasion. In the adjustment
of his necktie his clumsiness had been
phenomenal--for q tailor. His steps up
the broad walk which led to B. CTS
front door had been noticeably unsteady.
b. G. had coyly sent the servant to usher
him in, and often, with an affectation of
careless indifference, received him with
out rising from her chair.
All that had long been changed, but
this particular night seemed to repeat the
experiences of old. Old Hundreds toi-
let was accomplished with blundering
slowness. And why does the odor of
liniments follow the fiery lover from his
room9 And why does he groan as he
bends to reach the gate latch4 And
what has become of his brisk, swinging
gait up the board walkg And why does
not B. G. receive him, smiling, at the
doors Why does she remain in that thick
padded arm chair, and stretch her hand
out to him so slowly2 And what is the
use of using cologne where arnica has
been2
"Miss Bennett" said Old Hundred, af-
ter a few wandering remarks--(he al
ways Missed heD-'didn't I notice a
bicycle standing in the hall-waya"
"Why, Mr.. Simmonsl Didn't you
know that could ride?" asked B. G.
with radiant smile.
''Is it possiblel Why, we must have
ride togetherw cried the astonished
tailor.
Together, Mr.. Simmons2 Can you
ride, tooa" inquired B. c., with real
amazcment.
"Of course canl That is-um-cr
i'm fact, I'm learning. And Pm get
ting on well, excellently we'll, Mr.. Spoke
tire says, for man of my-er--I should
say, excellently we'll. But how did you
learn so soon2" Old Hundred asked, ad-
miringly.
swell, l can't say that I am through
with my apprenticeship yet," confessed
B. c., with charming blush, "but Mr..
Spoketire says he hardly has to hold the
machine at all, and he thinks I'm doing
better than most girls do who are many
years youn- that is, that am doing
very we'll. need to be helped into the
saddle"
$50 do l." admitted the tailor, hon
estly,
"But once in, have absolutely no
trouble, provided the road is smooth and
level, and Mr.. Spoketire just keeps lis
hands on the machine, to kind of steady
me, you know"
81 still find it rather difficult task to
without letting the wheel
fall, that is, Miss Bennett"
"Why, do you2 The last time Mr..
Spoketire helped me out he said was as
graceful as young girl. Mr.. Spoketire
is so nice"
''Niss Bennett, we must go out to-
gether next week, and as soon as posi-
Bile! Or rather-about Saturday, eh9
Wen both be in better trim by then.
you know"
without Mr.. Spoketire, Mr.. Sim
monsl"
'Of course. What do we want with
that contemplate little dandya"
B. c. smiled happily at the tailor's
manifest jealousy, yet smiled rather un-
easily and fearfully. However, she
agreed, with many a misgiving, and the
next Saturday afternoon was fixed for
the adventure.
Many time during the following week
Old Hundred and B. G. regretted their
precipitancy. But B. G. was clear grit,
if she was approaching that awful for
tieth birthday, and the little tailor had
been reused by the Spoketire hints to
somewhat of the ardor lover should
have.
Saturday dawned perversely fair, with
roads outrageously perfect, ard the after
noon saw our hero and heroine trundling
their wheels through the village out to
the Middleton Road. "Well not ride
through town." each eagerly agreed.
''because people might laugh" which
was very true.
The Middleton Road was an excellent
stretch for the purpose, in prime condi-
ton, and little frequented. Old Hun
dred and B. G. walked out of sight oil
the village, chatting gayly, avoiding all
mention Of the wheel. At length it be-
came impossible to deny that the right
spot had been reached, and with set
faces they placed their bicycles in posi-
tion.
"You must help me on, you know, 2"
said B. c., with rather pale face, but
brave withal, ''Mr. Spoketire thinks it is
still necessary"
''Oh, yes! Why to be sure!" suffered
the little lailor, looking awkwardly
around for something to lean his bicycle
against, and at last laying it down clum-
silly In the middle of the road
b. G. sprang into the saddle with a
feint of girlish sprightliness, and the
poor tailor's weak muscles were unable to
prevent most portentous swaying of the
wheel
MERCY on us?" shrieked B. c..
''Don't let me take a header before |
start! and oh, Mr.. Simmons. I shall be
so grateful, if you only hold on to the
machine for few steps, just until get
started!"
Certainly" grunted Old Hundred,
whose every muscle was Ia ID to hold