The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1891-07-15

Unls particular nlgnJ seemed TO repeat the
experiences of old Old Hundreds toi.
let was accomplished with laundering
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. latch1 And
what has become of his brisk, swinging
gait up the board walkS And why does
not B. G. receive him, smiling, at the
door2 Why does she remain in that thick
padded armchair, and stretch her hand
out to him so slowlyl And what is the
use of using cologne where arnica has
been2
''Miss Bennett" said Old Hundred, Of
ter few wandering remarks-(he al
ways Missed her)-''didn't l notice a
bicycle standing in the hall wny2"
"Why, Mr.. Simmons Didn't you
know that could rider asked b. G.
with a radiant smile.
''Is it possiblel Why, we must have
ride togetherp' cried the astonished
tailor.
Together, Mr.. Simmons7 Can you
ride, too2" inquired B. c., with real
amazement.
"Of course / canl That is-um-er
-in-fact, Pm learning. And Pm get
ting on well, excellently we'll, Mr.. Spoke
tire says, for man of my=zer-I should
say, excellently we'll. But how. did you
learn so sooni" Old Hundred asked, ad-
miringly.
"Well, can't say that l 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 well. l need to be helped into the
saddle"
$50 do l." admitted the tailor, hon.
estly
'But once in, 1 have absolutely no
trouble, provided the road is smooth and
level, and Mr.. Spoketire just keeps his
hands on the machine, to kind of steady
me, you know"
''I still find it a rather difficult task to
dismount-without letting the wheel
fall, that is, Miss Bennett"
"Why, do you9 The last time Mr..
Spoketire helped me out he said | was as
graceful as young girl. Mr.. Spoketire
is so nice"
! "Miss Bennett, we must 90 out to-
gether next week, and as soon as posi-
blel Or rather-about Saturday, en- 2
Wen both be in better trim by then.
you know"
"Without Mr.. Spolketire, Mr.. Sim
mons2"
"Of course. What do we want with
that contemplate little dandy2"
B. @. smiled happily at the tailor's
manifest jealousy, yet smiled rather un-
easily and fearfully. However, she
agreed, with many 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. @. was clear grit,
il she was approaching that awful for
tieth birthday, and the little tailor had
been reused by the Spoketire hints to
somewhat of the ardor a lover should
have.
Saturday dawned perversely fair, with
roads outTageously perfect, ard the after
noon saw our hero and heroine truudling
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 OF
the village, chatting gayly, avoiding all
mention of the wheel. AT length it be-
came impossible to dem, 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, >
said d. c., with a rather pale face, but
brave withal, "Mr. Spoketire thinks it i:
still necessary"
"Oh, yesl Why to be surel" suffered
the little lailor, loo3ing 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 4
feint of girlish sprightliness, and tn,
poor tailor's weak muscles were unable tC
prevent most portentous swaying Of thc
wheel.
"Mercy on us2" shrieked B c..
"Don't let me take a header before
start and oh, Mr.. Simmons, | shall bt
so grateful, if you only hold on to thu
machine for few steps, just until / ge
started n
Certainly" grunted Old Hundred,
whose every muscle was taxed to hole
the wheel upright.
b. c. started, the perspring tailo
trotting after, both hands clutchiug the
saddle spring contributing so materially
in his awkwardness to the difficulty o.
the steering that the agonized maid il
front soon cried back TO him, "Tha
will do. Thanks. Now mount anC
catch up" and away sailed B. c., stag
gering all over the road.
Old Hundred trotted back to hi
wheel, picked it up, and glanced despair.
ingly after the retreating safety. How
could he ever catch up2 But that query
was merged in a greater one. Could hC
ever mountl
He made three attempts, each failure
being hidden in a thicker cloud of dust,
and inscribed in deeper rent. But
what were clothes to tailor2 Their,
was Miss Benefits unsteady form just
disappearing over the edge of the frs
little hill. He must catch up with her
{ or ba bor la,,,bfnr, efool- fora,o. ,,ol-