The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-07-15
THAT BICYCLE SUIT.

the young people had speedily taken her |
up.
The young minister had welcomed her
gladly. He was anxious to make converts
and secure new members and had been
hoping to induce Miss Alice haywood to
unite with the church and thus identify
her charming personality still more closely
with the work, when something happened
which cooled his ardor in this direction
and indeed left him puzzled as to what
course to adopt with regard to this pecul-
lar young lady.
One bright spring morning as the min
lister walked slowly along one of the streets
on the outskirts of the town, drinking in
the fragrance of opening leaf and flower,
he beheld an apparition. Coming rapidly
toward him, perched airily on the seat of
new bicycle, was Alice haywood, her gold
en- head shining in the sunlight under her
jaunty cap, her cheeks glowing. The min
lister gasped as the girl saw him and
bowed, returned the salutation, too dazed
to raise his hat. For the navy blue cos
tune she wore, with its prettily fashioned
Elton jacket. was certainly made with a
skirt-no, it wasn't a skirt at all; it was
bloOmersl
1t was an outrage, the minister thought,
getting more indignant as he went on,
and she had seemed SO different so quiet,
modest and refined. Some one ought to
talk to her. What could her mother be
thinking of? He cOuldn't say word. The
young man blushed at the idea. "Now,
Gertrude would never-of course notI'' He
grew uncomfortably warm about the ears
at the mere suggestion that Gertrude
would do such thing Then the object
of his disapproyal glided out of his mind
as quickly as she had come in. The stern
lines of his face softened and he took up
his 6av dream JUhara ha had left if
Next fall when the new church was
done he would go east and bring Gertrude,
and what good couldn't he accomplish
with such woman for an inspiration and
helpmate? And his thoughts dwelt loving
ly upon the projections of the sweet, gen
tie young woman who was going to give
up her friends her high social station and
many advantages in the east and come
with him to the wild west as he called it,
to aid him with her culture with her
wealth, with herself.
So during the long summer he worked
hard and earnestly, upborne by the thought
of success and Gertrude and in the great
struggle all minor difficulties slipped out
of sight. Alice haywood still gave her
services freely and fully to the little
church, still taught the little ones and
spoke kindly and smilingly to young and
old, rich and poor alike, and still took her
er suit, seeming to gain added strength
and health thereby. But the minister
fairly disliked her when he saw her skim
ming gayly by in her novel attire, espe-
cially as some of her acquaintance had
followed her example.
If any disappearing matron or maid
spoke to her about her costume, she inva-
riabfy replied that she and her family con-
sidered it the only safe and sensible COS
fT1fl fn IN xvh nd hot oh in
tended to wear it.
Only to Molly Vance did she unbosom
herself further. Poor Molly lay fat on her
back, Laid up for repairs, - she expressed
it, and Alice had stepped in to bring her
some sunshine and news from the world
outside. She had come in from long ride
on her wheel and Molly said she looked
like relic of the Midway.
$50 you and the minister don't like my
suit, Molly, dear, - she said. Il am sur
prised at him, for L thought he was an up
to date young man."
sob, no, Molly answered. ''He is old
fashioned in his notions. You mustn' t
mind him.
81 DON'T" said Alice cheerfuIly. Then
she said earnestly:
Molly, the customs of the world have
always been hard on women. The natives
of CeyIon hang heavy rings in the noses
UII6 u1hS 51QO GIlSI1 LII Cages b1l6 O111-
nese dwarf their feet, and the modern
Americans and Europeans compress their
waists and hang heavy skirts on their hips
But let any of them step out be it ever
so little, from the beaten track of custom
and point to a better path, where comfort
and freedom from disease may be had, and
promise you they will suffer"
After this long and somewhat serious
speech for the young lady she tossed up
L, b i
farewell, and this was the only sign she
gave that the criticism passed by few of
her acquaintance hurt her.
The days sped rapidly by, and the new
church was completed. The minister went
back to the east for his bride, returning in
few weeks for the dedication, feeling
himself the happiest of men. His wife
seemed pleased with all she saw and en-
tered with enthusiasm into all his plans,
and he perceived with pleasure that his
people received her warmly and took her
at once into their hearts.
One day shortly after their arrival as
they were preparing for church Gertrude
said, ''John, what a charming girl Miss
haywood isl
Eyes" said John absently. Then a
cloud crossed his brow, He would tell
! Gertrude. Perhaps she could think of
something to do. So he said:
Gertrude, that girl rides bicycle and
wears boomers when she rides
| ''Does she?'' said his wife. "Well, ]
think it must be much more comfortable
suit to ride in than skirt"
John stared.
''Do you know" continued she uncon.
sciously, 1--we always been dying to ride a
! wheel. You ride, don't you, dear?'
eyes, - said John slowly.
"And next year I'll get one, too, and
| We'll seour the country together. 1t will
be good exercise for both of u.s.
"But, he faltered, "you won't wear
"Bloomers?" asked Gertrude. "Oh
yes; so much easier to ride in, and safer
too
The minister rubbed his eyes.
"John, !" she said, with sigh as she ar
ranged the heavy haircloth lined skirt anC