Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-08-24
THE NEW BICYCLE.

''Oh, frankie, you dear old boy, is 1t
really miner How lovely 1t will be when
can go out with you'll When can take
my lessonR May go right awayH Isn't
it beauty You dear, sweet thing, you
knew just what wanted, didn't your
1.-The next thing Is to get your suit"
remarked my lord and master.
do you intend to get bloomersY'
"Bloomersi" almost shrieked
"Frankie Forsyth, are you crazy?"
Having arrived at the school and donned
my suit, the instructor, tall, patient
looking man, brought up awheel to where
stood, and holding 1t still showed me
how to get on properly. 1 grasped the han
die bar with grip Of iron and wildly
kicked around for the pedals, which were
as elusive as the tabled will O. the wisp."
NOW, them" said the teacher steady
ing the bar with one hand while with the
other he held the saddle firmly. "Do not
grasp the bar so tightly, and have conf
dence in yourself will not let you fall "
After telling me how to balance, by
means Of the handle bar, l involuntarily
frightened my hold and scooped wildly to
the right and left in vain endeavor to
initiate the wavering motion he had used
to the imminent peril of a tall girl in
a gray suit who was bearing steadily down
on me.
1pedaled with all the energy Of despair
"To the right" called the instructor to
the girl In gray. Too latel Two feminine
shrieks smote the air simultaneously. I
dropped the bar, while the girl in gray,
the two bicycles and myself were huddled
together in confused heap. The teachers
rushed forward to rescue the bicycles. I
was helped to my feet, feeling rather
dazed, and cautiously felt of my arms and
shoulders to ascertain If I had broken any
bones, and finding that was all there. 1
again tried my luck
Presto Pluck will accomplish all
things, thought delightedly as found
myself floating, as 1t seemed to me, lightly
around the hall, apparently without much
effort.
keep your feet on the pedalsI Loosen
your hold ON the bari Balance to the left
So" The instructions were so confus-
ing as l became so excited that tried to
pedal to the left and balance to the right
and thought vaguely Of putting my feet
on the bar and loosening the grasp of my
hands on the pedals when over I went
again, wildly clawing tho air and gasp
ing for breath. How glad 1 was that
Frank had not accompanied mel would
never have heard the last of my humiliat-
ing experience.
You will get on all right, madam"
said the patient looking man, hopping
his dripping face and trying to speak en-
couragingly, putting me on the wheel
again.
drew long breath, set my teeth hard
and resolved to ride or die in the attempt.
After three-quarters of an hour of this
agony succeeded in riding around the
large hall without any moro serious mis-
haps and donned my street attire and
went home with an aching back, bruised
knee and q twisted wrist.
"WellH" said 1.-THE BRUTE" with ma
icious delight, when he made his appear
ance.
VERY WE'LL" replied proudly 1T
think it is splendid exercise. Tomorrow
the teacher is going to let me ride alone,
and the next day he thinks he can teach
me to mount and dismount."
The next day again repaired to the
school, but the bravado which had dis
tinguished my appearance the day before
was missing. I was most humble and
submissive pupil The wheel developed
perfectly marvellous tendency to wabble,
but he of the patient countenance assured
mo that it was nothing dangerous
got along famously, however, and aft
er sundry mishaps I succeeded in mount
ing.
Well" said a familiar voice when I
had finished my lesson, do you want to
get wheel and ride home with me?"
why, Frank" cried in surprise, men
tally wondering whether or not he had
been an interested spectator Of my many
ungraceful troubles.
There was note of challenge in his
voice that I did not like, and so said,
with great show Of courage, which Twas
far from feeling, "Why not2"
So he got wheel for me- and after sew
eral vain attempts and with many serious
misgivings 1 managed to get mounted,
and he vaulted onto his saddle in a way
that made mo envy him, and away we
went, Frank getting farther and farther
ahead Of me-
Good for you," said my spouse pa
tronizingly as 1 bent to the pedals, and
putting and painting brought up beside
ILL., 4uJ COuFdBo TOSG NIlGll lOlluu UuuU
1 was doing so well, but all at once there
was an ominous roll of thunder, and a
tiny drop of rain splashed on my nose.
frankie! Frankiel' 1 shrieked. Take
me off Take me OFF, could not dis
mount. 1T is going to storm"
Nothing of the sort, " he replied stoio-
ally. 1--WE have not much farther to go
and perhaps can get there ahead Of the
storm. Don't be a clam now. You are o
fine rider, you arel Whoopl" and away
he went, to my utter alright and dismay.
The wheel wabbled under me- but was
filed with all the courage of despair, and
could only fall after all, so worked
with might and main, my heart In my
throat, as a vivid streak of lightning
flashed on the metal trimmings of my
wheel
Only a little farther to go Fasterl
Fasterl Painting, breathless, dripping
with perspiration, pedaled steadily on,
gaining on Frank at every revolution Of
the wheel. Now am abreast of him
now have passed him, leaving him star
ing open mouthed after me, exclaiming,
with an astonished whistle: "Whewl You
are riding for fair, old grip
did not deign to notice his conciliatory
remark, but kept on, my knees almost
giving away under me- Onl Onl Faster
and fasterl No fear now, only an insane
desire to get home before the storm burst
uDOn me,