Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-04-24
THE BIKE ON TOP.

In n sensible light? You talk as If wCre child. There will be nothing to lay to you or any one else. Instead of carping and fault finding you ought to be glad that am doing all can to preserve my health"
 Mrs. Bowscr had nothing moro to say, and as shc took n seat by n back window hc ran up stairs to changc his clothes. Ten minutes later he had his bike in the back yard. He at first looked pleased and happy; then he looked anxious; then he appeared doubtful.
 "Expect to get a few tumbles at first, you know, " he said as he looked up at Mrs Bowscr with painful smile but I'll get | there in time.
 "Arcn't you going to tic 1t up to tho | fencoS" she asked.
 For why2'
 50 you can get on to 1t. You'll either | have to do that or have sornc one hold 1t. Shall I come down with tho stepladdcr!" "No, ma'am, you needn't come down with tho stepladder. I'm just leading the thing around n few times to get my legs limbcred up. When I want q stepladder, I'll let you know. Here go!' He went. He had noticed several differ | ent riders mount their bikes and had fig ured on an easy thing. Ho madO a spring for the saddle, and thcre was wild exulta- 1 tion in his heart as ho found himself safe | about half a second, or until MT. Bowser struck the earth with his head and his heels hit the fence and the bike piled on top of him.
 "Are you hurt? Arc you killcd"' called Mrs. Bowser from the window.
 Do you want to tell the whole town that fell of a bikeS" growlcd MT. Bow ser in roply as ho slowly gathered his wits and his legs and his arms and got up and looked at her.
 But you might havo broken your neck. "
 "Bosh! The wheel hit something in tho grass. Everybody expects tumble or two. | X fall like that wouldn't hurt q baby. Havcn't you gut anything to do but sit therc and watch me?'
 | "Is it any harm to watch yOu?'
 He didn't say. He lifted the bike up, carefully examined it to scc if it had hind feet to kick with and then conducted it twice around the yard to get up a feeling of mutual confidence. He would havc checrfully given Mrs. BOwScr $l0 tO rctire from the window, but as he knew she wouldn't go he made up his mind not to be bluffed He made ready for another try, and all of a sudden he landed in the saddle and began to paw around for the pedals A smile of joy and pride started to flicker aCruss his face, but before it had | lAlllG lO SpAIttNA ONCA l"O NA AAt'NO Mir. Bowser wabbled to the cast and wab- bled to tho west and wont over with a great crash He rcaliZed that the Amer ican continent was in the throes of an earthquake, and he yelled "Birel" and "PolicsT' before he struck the earth. Then he knew no moro for threa minutes. When he openod his eyes and sat up and gazed around him. Mrs. Bowsar was standing be- hds him. She had unfaStened his collar and untied his legs and sprinkled water on his faca
 "This is all my doings, of course!" she said as he finally became aware of her pres ence "This is tho last strawl Your law yer will see my lawyer in the morning and arrange about the divorce and alimonyF
 "Woman" began MT. Bowser as he got up like Q COW with two broken legs; but Mrs. Bswscr had disappeared into tho base ment and therc was nobody to talk to.
 "EoR SALR.-Gentleman having no fur thsr use for bicycle of standard make and all the latest improvements will sell tht samS for onc-t third of first cost. Warranted as good as the day it came from the shop Will cure dyspepsia, prevent consumption and make a new man of you in four weeks Only those who mean business need call Home after o'clock p. m. Ring basement hsn of 73 Blank street and ask for
 "BowsER."