The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-04

in the old poolrooms underneath his Office,
talist wandered into the merry co-round
and watched in rapt enjoyment the an
tics of few beginners.
Henry" said an enthusiastic friend,
"why don'tyou get wheel3'
ooh no! no! ha! hal" laughed Mr..
Martin. 1.-THE boys would say l had one
in my head. Catch me on wheel. Pretty
good; Where would You get one to bear
me?"
I've got one" said Proprietor Stowell.
An old time trick wheel which had
seen great service on the stage and III the
circus was brought to light 1t was pro-
nounced veritable Hercules in point of
strength, and the capitalist said that it
needed to be. After much persuasion he
va. induced to mount it. First Mr.. Mar
tin removed his stoyepipe hat and frock
coat. The skirts of the latter, it was ex-
planned, would interfere with his actions
and the maneuyers of the wheel. The
bike was tilted and one of the Martin legs
thrown over it. The next moment both
feet were on the pedals and the handles
were firmly grasped.
you're OFF, shouted Stowell
NO, I'm not; I'm on, gasped the CAPT
talist, the beads of perspiration clustering
on his massive forehead. Several men
held him up on either side and trotted
around the ring twice, and then Mr.. Mar
tin declared ii was great sport and very
easy, and he said he would go it alone
He started out bravely and proceeded
quarter way round the track, when the
wheel began to show him some of its
tricks. First it sweryed to one side, and
Mr.. Martin said "Oh!" softly. Then the
bike took spin in zigzag course, accom-
panied with bumps and 'ohs'' from Mr..
Martin, and then came the climax. The
machine wabbled, and going suddenly
ahead half stopped, then took lunge for
ward st a rapid gait, when the hind wheel
kicked" There was a dull thud, mass
of quivering humanity, silent steed and
the first lesson was over and Mr.. Martin
had become estranged from the wheel. But
he was not easily daunted.
"rll buy that bike, u said the capitalist,
and he did.
Eyes" said Mr.. Martin. yesterday. sit is
a fact that | have taken to bikes and
boomers, and | have grown to be quite an
enthusiast OF the wheel. have mastered
the various inrricacies of the machine and
can now ride with the wheels on the
ground instead of the air. The bike on
which | practice is a roustabout sort of a
wheel, which has been around the country
with transforming companies and is as
full of tricks as circus donkey. 1t was
very playful for while, but think that
my superior eight has overcome its antics.
How much do l weigh? That's secret,
but 1 think that the exercise will in time
reduce my flesh. All my people in Oak
land ride, and l thought that l too would
be in the fashion. am going to don the
boomers, too" and Mr.. Martin chuckled
at the thought of himself in the new
woman garments.
81 had to send to Chicago for sweater
The machine / will have built will be very
strong OF course, and the seat, or saddle,
will be of peculiar construction and
materially strengthened above the ordi-
nary standard. No, shall not have my
first outing in the park, but will confine
myself to the good roads of Oakland. My
boomers will be of dark tweed, and the
sweater will also be of dark material. The
combination of dark colors will make me
look unite small