The Van Buren press., 1895-09-07
MAN AND siKE.
ne Dinaculties Attendant Upon Their First
Contact. -


ne Dimculties Attendant Upon Their First
Contact.
didn't used to think that the stories
had heard of the tricks of the bicycle
were true. When was innocent OF this
acme of deceit bought wheel. had
been led to do so by the advice OF my
friends. They had declared to me that
the bicycle was noble steed, that the
greatest possible pleasure could be had
by ride astride Of one. dH
asked If it was hard to learn to ride
the thing. Everybody agreed that 1t
was not. They said all you had to do
was to Immediately mount it and ride.
1t was, they assured, as easy as rolling
off log. | never rolled off log, SO I
don't know how easy that may be.
Perhaps if had done so once or twice
l wouldn't have begun my career of
rolling off bicycle. III 5e
l remember we'll when departed
from a store at which had bought a
wheel. was proud. l glanced with
supercilious glance at the common
earth : treading mortals whom /
l saw. I rejoiced in the pos
session of q friend who could
accompany me on pleasant jaunts in
the country. Just the right sort OF
friend Not one of those who inter-
rupt you when you are telling them a
favorite story just because they have
heard ita few times before. No. this
would be friend who would always
be silent--a silent steed," as the BIZ
cycle poets call it.
In spite of my confidence that it was
an easy matter to ride wheel, did
not mount it then. The street was too
crowded, SO walked it home, pre-
ferring to practice on my own stamp
ing-ground tA.~f
Upon reaching home determined to
begin riding. Lknew from what had
been told that it was a very easy mat
ter. / carelessly placed one foot on the
pedal, while the other foot rested on
the ground Immediately a crowd OF
ribald small boys gathered expectant-
ly, while the neighbors came out to
watch me. zs8
My bosom swelled with pride. !
knew that it WAS an easy matter to
ride the machine, and all that had to
do was to hop on, but postponed the
"hopping on for awhile.
l tried several times to mount 1t, and
hoped along on one foot, pushing the
| bicycle. Finally came to the conclu.
sion that must take the thing firmly
| in hand. knew that the right. foot
was getting more than its share Of the
sport, SO put the left foot also on the
pedal. The result WIS disastrous.
The machine had only been acting a
little cranky before, but now it sud
denly lay down in the street and took
me down with it.
l stopped practicing for that day,
but continued practice the next and
succeeding days for week, until had
mastered it. as thought l will not
tell you what calamities happened tc
me. If you have tried to learn to ride
their recital would only awake un'
pleasant memories in our mind. If you
have vet to learn, then do not wish
to prevent you from having the same
amount of fun that did. am not a
philanthropist l am only an ordinary
mortal, and confess that ! take mali
cious pleasure in seeing other people
made victims Of the game from which
have already suffered. sa
when l had gained some control o.
my 'ssteed," / ventured to try.
straightaway ride on an unfrequented
street. 1 got along very nicely, but
| soon discovered that / must keep ir
the straight and narrow path. or else
meet with an upset. This discovery
was made when attempted to get
out of the way of wagon. The team
ster avoided me just in time. I had te
go fast, for when ! slowed up my
wheel would wobble. / wondered how
far had to go, and whether ] woult
ever be able to start back. Iwas like
the man who had caught the bear by
tie tail and couldn't letgo. hes
On we sped. The only hope I had o
avoiding the wagons and carriages, al
well as pedestrians, was to yell when
ever drew near them. didn't know
how to turn the wheel, and the whee
wouldn't turn of its own accord All
could do was to hold on and to make j
go fast, SO wouldn't fall
But this sort of thing couldn't las
forever. There was soon to be an ent
to my ride. collided with ston'
wall in the park, smashing my ma
chine and badly hurting myself
limped around for several days, ant
gave the remnants Of the machin
away, and hereafter, if want gentl
sssteedn to ride. will ride a donkey o
mule. No more bicycle for me, than
you!-William w. Webster, in Colder
| DavH f-F tF .5.a tf LIZ satl 7a.lll.r