The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-10-28
All WASHINGTON ON WHEELS.
Tiug-s-iing, rise, flag IL the M.sIe OF the
streets at the National Capital.

wAsHiNGroN, Oct. 2T.-Ting-a-ling, ling,
ling is the music OF the streets Of the capital.
Tit bass OF the cable-car gong chimes with the
treble OF the cyclists bell. and the visitor To
Washington for the first time goes 10 bed with
the refrain ringing In his ears and the memories
Of a dozen hairbreadth escapes on the avenues
throngine through his brain. Ting-s-ling, ling.
Everybody seems to be astride the monster OF
rubber and steel which Frances along the as
phalt avenues so noiselessly, and bowls over the
unwary like so many tenpins.
New York. with its stone pavements and mar
row streetsD can never hope to rival Washington
in regard to the number OF experts on the wheel
in proportion to population. stand for a quarter
Pennsylvania avenue and watch the procession
OF trundlers as they sweep down the brOadest
The %SS ewl.s woman aG of middle age in in bi6nmers,
gold bowed glasses perched airtly upon her nose
and a peaked cap resting lightly upon her head.
She manages her silent steed with the ease that
would probably characterize most Of her discus
sious on the woman's right. question, and she
who passes her at o lively pace in order. to coast
past some OF, the hotels where the thrUng OF
l%oqngsrs Is thickest. In their wake, plaeidly
hurried, as he will remain as long as time en-
dures. Before the looker-on can turn his head
likely DOCTOR. a small sstshei ssiuns t%santily over
one shoulder supporting the latter the2ry,-is IN
the never-ending procession.
Herr comes q woman Of generous proportions
mounted on a wheel that looks as II 1t were
made to order. A basket hangs upon one Of the
handles OF the machine. and her destination Is
the market, = dozen squares away. where the
finest products OF land and sea are tastrfully ar
ranged. Experience has told her that money
can be saved by this, and she H. only one OF tho
many Tho md "a not only health but proft In the
stay in the city, for the purpose Of attending the
down the avenue. He IL a beginner and
he receives a lot Of good ;natured chaffing on
front Of the hotels. A local sportsman who can
guide his wheel without using his hands sits up.
right and laughs with the rest at the constrained
position of the p~enciller. who has taken a DOZEN
lessons In private. and is on parade for the nrst
time, determined TO conquer the machine and
game at which he cannot hold his own. A
mechanic. his tools In q basket slung round his
6sek, passes; trundling his cheap wheel OF the
jolting Is reduced TO = minimum In riding over a
surface as level as = billiard table. and the
There is a sparkle In the eye Of the workman,
and he evidently looks upon his morning and
and the wear AID tear on shoe leather is CORE
spondingly less. Clerks by the score come, and
s.; and after then is . happy family 2 o, th,ss,
and baby perched in sings before the former.
growing with a degree Of enthusiasm that makes
than a schoolgirl with her drst long
dress. And % il goes; Heads q basi:
when Congress is in session, Join the
general throng until one wonders why horses
should be necessary in Washington The ro-
the entrances 10 all OF tho public buildings arc
always lined with wheels OF every conceivable
shape and make. The old fashioned star. with
the high wheel chasing the mall one. is occa-
sionslly seen, a midget OF a messenger hoy
perched some six feet In the air-how he gets 10
his lofty eyrie goodness knows-and leaning so
far over as TO be in danger OF topping forward
and making his NOSE even more OF a pug than
nature ever intended, through contact with the
pavement.
Cabmen com plain that there has been a steady
decrease in their business. and the most casual
observer can see the reason before he has known
the capital forty-eight hours.