The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-07-11
THE wsEEL on A NEW TRACK.

There seems to be no limit 10 the phases
of wheeling. Every revolution Of the tire
brings up some new issue directly trac-
able to the all-peiTasivo machine; and
problems that radiate thereirom like
spokes from the hub.
In recent conversation with prom
incnt jeweler OF our New England metro
polls, what was our surprise to find that
excellent gentleman strongly opposed to
the growing popularity of bicycling. 1t
was with difficulty that we could account
for his position until at length, in a burst
OF personal grief, the secret was dis
closed.
"why," he exclaimed, "it Is affecting
our business seriously-very seriously!
The young women, especially, who here
tofore have spent their spare dollars on
jewelry-rings, brooches, and what not
now save every penny and invest the sum
total in a wheel. Men, as q whole, were
never so much given to buying jewelry-
at least not for their own use-but we
have lost as much of their trade in pro-
portion. And a young man isn't half
so likely in these days to purchase
jewelry even as a gift. The idol OF his
heart can't consistently wear many orna-
ments when she is on her wheel, aud that
is where she spends most OF her time.
There Is no doubt about it--this wheeling
craze has played the mischief with our
sales.p
Now we hate to see man down-hearted
about his business prospects, so OF course
we couldn't refuse sympathy to our friend
the jeweler. And on the other hand we
always did admire a fine bit Of gold and
precious stones well worn by finer bit
of femininity. But 1t was borne in upon
US that this little alteration between the
"bike" and the brooch opened up an in
teresting field of possibilities
Wheeling is as yet only in its infancy
though no one will deny that 1t is remark
ably precocious-and the prospects arc
good that 1t will live to "a green old
age" Meanwhile, what of the fate OF per-
sonaI adornment? VIII that branch of
the jewelry business that has for its object
the turning out OF cunningly wrong ht
devices for the adornment, especially, of
young womankind, dwindle and decline?
Is it fated to come to pass that the chain
within the 'skirt-guard' on my lady's
wheel Will be accounted by her OF far
more value than any sequence OF golden
links that she may clasp about her throat?
VIII there arise no compensations in the
shape of captivating shoe buckles that
shall dazzle the eye at every rise and fall
Of the rythmic pedalf All these are
speculations that the future alone can
dissipate or verify.
Among her more correct European sis
ters tho American woman has been tabooed
for her too lavish display OF gems. She
has allowed their appearance to antedate
the dinner hour, and-still more repre-
hensible shine amid the smoke and
cinders OF the railway coach! May 1t not
be that thus by the literal turning Of the
wheel this serious national failing is to
be overcome?
And growing logically out OF the deter
mination of the up-to-date young woman
to save her money and buy wheel,
rather than to spend what spare cash she
may possess from time to time on knick-
knacks, comes the notion that this fru-
gality may exert its influence for good in
many lines; and the coming woman may
learn to know from her own personal ex-
perience the practical value OF a dollar.
OF one thing we are certain: that gen.
erations yet unborn will bless the race OF
broad-chested, straightforward, wheel
riding grandmothers, who boqueathed to
them the health and strength far more
precious than any olden heirloom or
casket Of family jewels.