The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-11-09
ATRl CYCLE STORY.

X was a most exciting letter Nam
ma rsaa it aloud to Daphne and me at
the breakfast table, sad We looked at
one another in amazement over it's most
important part, the postscript.
"Iou know my girls have been riding
a tricycle. fer some time" Aunt Msrga-
rel had written. They have had one
with 81 attachment, so that it can be
used by one person or as tandem-that
Is, used by two riders. Lately, however,
they have been teasing for new tan
dem, with certain improvements-about
about which l don't in the least under
stand-and have bought it on condi-
ton that they give the old one to your
girls. As you have no horse know
they viii enjoy it exceedingly"
Did you ever hear Of anything 50
eharmiDg27 cried Daphne, clasping her
hands.
1 don't know, dears," said Mamma,
more doubfnlly. q should be very sor-
~ 10 have you undertake anything that
might be considered peculiar or unlady-
like"
Aunt Margaret lets her girls rider
~Yes, but they are near the city, where
the fashion is beginning to spread. 1
don't see, for my own part, why you
shouldn't do it, even if you are hooted
bui, girls, can't help thinking of Uncle
Melcher."
50 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 wanted to 90 away to
school. Mamma had always taught us
that it was mistake TO suppose the
world owed usa living.
~You have no right to your uncle's
money simply because he has q great
deal and you have none," she said.
But if be would lend you 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 10 sup
port yourselves, and though he would be
taking a 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
for? My mother never studied beyond
long division, nor yet my grandmother,
and they were good housekeepers and
excellent women. You be good, sensi-
bic girls and learn to make bread and
darn stockings, and when Pm done with
my money YOU shall have it all.
Mamma, after nights consideration,
gave her formal sanction to the tricycle.,
which arrived day or two later.
@But hope" she said, doGbtfully, as
she examined its shining wheels and
springy seats--I do hope you won't try
to ride fast. Perhsps you can be more
ledylike about it if you 20 slowly"
Such : time as We had in getting start
ed TO ride at all First We made over
some old dresses, lengthening the skirts
and relieving them Of superhuous trim
ming, which might get caught in the
wheels. Then We learned how to OF the
machine, and finally 70 manage it. The
cousins had written that, With lis fourth
wheel behind, it was clumsy affair
compared with the new three-Ehseler
but we, who were used to no lighter
means Of transportation than the family
wheelbarrow, were mOie than satisfied
with our new steed.
One June afternoon, after longer ride
than usual, we found ourselves near the
little cross road where Uncle Melcher
lived. A year before, after quarreling
With the village authorities, he had taken
Up his abode there, with the pleasing
consciousness that he had Withdrawn as
far as possible from the local civilization.
It was dreary place, bat Uncle Mel
liked it, and Mrs. Simmons, bis old
housekeeper, tolerated what he chose.
MADE" said Daphne, putting on the
brake as We reached the cross road ~let's
90 and call on Uncle Mel. It's only two
miles further"
Il wouldn't for worlds" said I. ale
is sure to scold US for riding Peggy"
@WeI, 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
afraidi'
For an answer put my feet down on
the pedals, and started Peggy onward.
Girls don't like to be dared any more
than boys do.
"I1l 60" said !, "but We must hurry,
for it's getting late"
We turned into the narrow road and
il due time We reached the house. I'm
Gle Mel was sitting on the pifEsa read
ing newspaper, but after long, steady
look at Us he got up and vent indoors.
We bad gone too far to retreat and so
We alighted and walked up to the house.
Tell them not 70 bring that thing
foot nearer" 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 riding bicycles up to my
door.
Just then Ms. Simmons appeared in.
the entry. She was evidently glad We
had heard the message and that she need
not repeat it
@You jes' roll it backs nite,p she
whispered. %You know your uncle'sa
leetle sot."
So We meekly trandled poor Peggy be-
hind the big syringa bush and then
walked into the house with as much COM
posrre as We could summon.
Uncle Mel was sitting in the great
chair, drumming with his fingers on the