Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1893-07-08
a Bicycle Story
Rr,H s. Keller.

Gerry store OF Middle Fork.
1t was the same stranger who had
been in town for over a week. His
days were spent up In the mountains,
and In the evening he kept himself
cloTeted In his room at the hotel what
his business was no one knew; indeed,
they would scarcely I've found out
had they asked, for he was a quieC,
reserved sort Of man who talked but
little, and never about his own imme-
date affairs
"Phew There's no horse could get
over the road now. The roads are
flooded four feet deep in places by this
time" said one Of the men In the store.
"One thousand dollars IS a good price,
men, said the stranger taking a well
filed wallet from his pocket and tossing
II upon the counter.
But there haint no man living that
can get TO Milbury with all this water
coming down the valley"
Here's boy that can" spoke up a
clear voice. and Dick Rodgers came
from behind the desk and presented
himself TO the crowd.
sNbAt7fAA1fs L wv AAFA want fAAAf ''s
business about this affair" The
strangers face was a puzzle; he wanted
something done, had money to pay for
the service; no one seemed ready to
earn the gOodly sum that Is, no one
but a mere slip Of "A boy.
Mister If | say I viii take your
message TO Nilbury that settles IT, I've
got the only wheel IN Middle Fork
IF the road was clear | could do It
I'm thirty minutes So bad as the roads
are, / can get your message there in
an hour"
There was something about the
grOcer's son that impressed the stran-
ger. There was nothing boastful In
the lads manncr-he simply Eneant
what he said, that was all
but the men say ii Is dangerous
81 can go there and back without
harming a hair in my head"
LET me speak to your father, boy,
said the stranger.
Dick called his father from the sec
ond floor When he entered the stran-
ger told him of his proposition and
Dicks desire 10 earn It,
bad road, Dick"
Il can do t."
Stranger" said the boys father,
Il know Dick; If he says he can do it,
that settles it, He will get there and
don't you doubt It,"
Here, boy, is the message. Place
It carefully about your person, and
when you reach Milbury take Il TO
the telegraph office at once and have
the operator rush It, Here is the
money TO prepay charges. You shall
have the thousand dollars for the ten
mile ride. Mr. Rogers, place that
wallet in your safe and keep the key
In your pocket Upon the return Of
your son take from Il one thousai d
dollars and give It TO him for his
services. The wallet contains over
two thousand. Now, boy, start as soon
as possible"
Dick looked his wheel over carefully
to see that It was all in good order
FOR the run. lie knew he had q diff
cult task before him. The spring floods
were heavy and the ride was danger.
Gus one to him, but the boy knew a
thing or two about the lay OF the land
between Middle Fork and Milbury,
The precious message was pinned I'm
his inside vest pocket His cap was
pulled down and his stout jacket well
buttoncd about his sturdy figure
Good bye" yelled Dick rs he spun
away, made the turn and was out OF
sight
The valley was below him. 1t was
one sheet of water, with here and there
dark masses OF trees stumps and fence
rails tossing upon its surface
Not much show down there There
isn't one sign Of a road left lr
MS / thought I'll have to take the
nil along the mountain said Dick
To himself
The trail was merely a pathway
along the steep side Of the mountain
made years ago 10y the Indians ana
early settlers. II was seldom used now,
excepting by hunters or pleasure seek
ers Dick knew every inch Of the
trail, but he had never attempted 1t
with the wheel
i was % hard TUG to drag the wheel
through the uuderbruSh and over the
decayed logs covering the mountain
side, but he was a lad Of muscle MS
we'll as determination, and he soon
reached the path winding Ike q mar
row ribbon along the side OF the high
mountain overlooking the valley
Pretty tough looking prospect but
here SHE goes. said Dick as ne started
II was pretty tough looking path,