The morning call., 1893-01-02

~ all their parallels IN this
| <Sf5><-SsSS city. enhanced by the
&>eS certainty of equable eli
matte conditions
Who would sigh for seghing when moon
| light buggy-rides are delightful in Decem-
Der. or long for snowballing when the more
elastic tennis ball is available?
Coastingp Why, we have our coasting,
too, and can enjoy it, moreover, all the year
round.
For there Is another point in which the
Queen City of the Pacific towers head and
shoulders over her sister cities of the East,
and that is in her matchless confguration.
San Francisco has been called 1.-THE City
Of Terraces" from the picturesque grading
of her streets, which rise tier above tier
from the bay to thessurr0unding hiltops.
Transversely run down miles and miles
OF streets, and these afford a rare oppor-
tuniiy for the boys
A long grale or series of grades, only in
terrupted by terraces" together with good
concrete sidewalks, are all that are required
for the San Francisco coaster"
This is known here as "Street-wagon"
Its not built on runners, but on wheels.
The ordinary c6aster-wagon is about four
feet long by eighteen inches wide and con-
sists mainly of two pairs of wheels con-
necled by a board.
To the front wheels is attached a long
shaft or handle. by means of which the
little vehicle Is Steered down or dragged up
hill The back wheels have often a brake
block. which can be applied by foot-oar in
the front part of the board seat
Most of the wagons, however, have no
regular brake. butthe seat-board is provided
with hole through which stick is thrust
to the ground. Judiei0us pressure on the
stick is relied upon to break the velocity
whea required.
Possessed of such a wagon the San Fran
cisco boy is fully equipped for hours Of
sensational enjoyment.
Almost every fine day-which in San
Francisco means almost any day-ihe small
boy can be seen in swarms upon all the
popular grades.
Just as likely as not he will be accompa-
MED by beyy of girish schoolmateS, who
mayplaeidly accept seat on his wagon when
at the tOp.of the hin and ready to launch.
Now they are ready, and as along comes a
ea0le-caT ii is TO be race between them.
With shout they aFe off down the mill, a
little behind The cabIe-ear, Ii is true, but
confident of catching up."
In front sits the steersman, silent and
grave under The RESPONSE bility Of his post.
Behind him, hugging his waist, is a tiny
girl, her biz eyes dilated, half in wonder,
half 10 terror AT the prospect but treasured
By her sister, the third and last passenger.
fhe elder girl IS Wild with excitement, and
With her rosy checEs, flying hair and mirth-
sparkling eyes might well stand for a picture
OF Pleasure Chasing the Flying Hours"
At trStIha brake IS firmly applied, but as
the young steersman gains confidence in
himself ana sees tile rival ear shooting
ahead the restraint is gradually withdrawn.
At last the impeding pressure is altogeth-
eT lifted, aud like greyhound slipped from
the leash the 1rail-loOking craft [shoots for
ward.
The excitement grows intense. Now tho
gap between the hind platform OF the car
and the nose of the wagon is Iessening.
L lie little steersman grows grayer, the tiny
tot becomes daZed with the speed, out the
reaTmast VOyager seems intoxicated with il
and screams an unheard defiance in an &C.
stacy OF delight.
Faster ana faster yet
Now the little CONVEYANCE is abreast of
the ear and the passengers see the rivalry
thrust upon them and smile eneouragipgiV
Only Tor moment though. for the coast
ing wagon has passed them like a fash and
even the Sober-faced little helmsman IONS
the cheer of triumph as he steers his bark
safely round convenient cerner where an
upgrade gradually brings it to a stand.
HAPPY. the cable can be made use full ia
other ways besides as a racing mate Often
some astule boy will attach his wagon to an
up-golng car and so obYiate a tiresOme
climb and haul. The conductor, who should
lay an embargo on such free employment of
the moving rope, is often Californian. who
has gone eoasting himself, and winis al the
stolen ride.
Even the Weather peoples children 20
eoasiing, particular sections OF the city be-
Ing, as If by consent, set apart for their
exclusive use.
hands ONE street. wagon for coastIng OF
the very strongest make and closely imfta-
ting its real express" prototype is com
mon and popular present for young San
franciscan.
Sidewalk tricycIes or bicycles, roller
skates, tops. marbles, stills. hop.scoteh,
Zig aud FOUNDERS are all to be seen at
various times and in various parts of the city
in the streets.
They are spasmodic and unaccountabie in
their coming and going.
But The bill wagon goes on forever
ne TACT that tilaTe Is more action to-
ge1ner with an element of risk, may eonsti-
tute It's superior charm, while among the
poorer people there is practical recon-
incubation Of the light wagon.
many OF the ''cOasters" are fitted with
STATS, Dy means OF which sides can be
affixed, making a small box-wagon. This
IS tueD useQ LOT holiday scrap wood col
lected about new buildings, scenes of fires
or the down-pulling Of old frame houses.
Such contributions OF wood come in very
weleomely for household kindling, so that
pater and mater familias are wont to en-
courage the coasting interest
Sometimes the "Tolling-stock" used in
what may be termed "Pacifc casting"
does not even run to the outlay for four
wheels.
a g0od-natured blacksmith or amen BILE
Junk-deaier is levied upon fer two cast-off
wheels, which, with an axle, a short-board
ana some balancing skill, are made to do
duty for the real article.
DC. aslonally. too, one sees infinitesimaT
knlekerboekered scrap of humanity coming
lying down perilous-looking slope, with
no ylslbla means of subsistence.
~ ith little shirt open. his ridculously
small chest barred to the December breeze.
ne holds his hoiey stockings straight out be-
Tore him parallel to the sidewalk, and spin
ming along rounds a corner. neatly Tilted
over to one side.
Then he rises to his feet, and it is seen
that hl means of locomotion is very simple
IL is a single, small sized roller-sk ate