Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1895-12-20

Wlsuomt Out, Oh course, INC flllaBe
rocked naught of that. 1t was enough
that--save In those two years of grace
as far as Miss Bctsey could be seen she
could also be known.
Because of this roaming habit Of hers,
one day Dick Jones had an adventure.
Dick owns bicycle, and is immensely
proud of it, as, indeed, he has right 10
he, although it is only secondhand
machine. But in the beginning II was
good one. and it is just as good now.
Many an hour has Dick spent very hap
PLY under the one gnarly old appleless
apple tree in his yard. From long,
low limb two cords hang, just right to
swing the machine a few inches up from
the ground. There, with box for a
seat and some bits of cloth, Dick can
sit and get shine on the old pokes
and nckled hubs until no one would
suppose they ever knew such thing rs
rust; nor have they, since in Dicks pos
session. Then-to give the wheel a
come to a stand, how it spins and SPINS
and spins, and even at the end, when
about to stop, seems to decide to haze
just one more revolution before set
Ting back to the pendulum-lke oscilla-
ton that proves how beautifully the
oiled bearings run! Every boy will
know, without telling, the fascination
of that. So will some girls, too; al
though most of them seem to like to
have their brothers do the polishing If
they own the articles. Such ones lose
a deal of fun.
Naturally, Dick is something of
Ioamer himself. Everyone is who
rides wheel. Still, he was none the
less startled one evening, just before
dusk, as he was humming homeward
along a particularly lonely country
road, to see Miss Betsey sitting on
rock beneath tree. Her inevitable
basket was by her side, half filled with
botanical products. On these rested
a shoe. The foot to which that shoe
belonged was elevated across the neigh
boring knee, and stuck straight out
like Il semaphore or railway signal,
and bore evidence of extempore ban
digging. Dick instinctively slowed
down till he came to a halt, AID then,
of course, he had to dsmount, whether
or no. bicycles, as a rule, refuse to
stand up straight while at standstill.
"Why, Miss Betsey! What is the
matter?"
"I've sprained my foot" said the lit
tie old lady, calmly, and relapsed into
silence. Dick whistled and looked at
her in amazed pcrplexity.
How are you going to get homer"
''That's what I'm waiting to sec, "she
replied, composedly. There's always
way. Pm curious to sec what this
one will be-" And again she took up
silence as an occupation. Dick looked
at her some more, feeling around in his
mind for something appropriate to say,
without great success, and her silence
Cd not help him any.
Been here long?" he finally mustered
up courage enough to ask
She looked at the low-lying crimson
streak on the horizon, glowing through
the trees with their gathering dusk,
and replied, briefly: about two
hours"
! Dick gave an exclamation of dismay.
"Two hours! And no one came by in
all that time? What horribly lone
some road"
| Very More silence.
well, see here, Miss Retsey, he cried,
moved TO somcthhng akin to dcspera-
ton by the situation, Something got
to be done; and il I'm the only one that
travels this road, s'pose ought to be
The one to do it. But what shall do?'
Miss Betsey eyed him with mild curl
osity, and presently was impeled to ask
a question.
what can you do?"
why, | can go for help. Do you
know that it is all of ten miles from the
village to here?"
80 supposed" said Miss Bctscy,
with perfect serenity. "Yes, you could
go for help. 1t wonid take team two
hours TO get here. don't know how
long il would take you to 60"
One" INTERCEPTED Dick. az which she
raised an eyebrow.
Say three hours, then; and half an
hour TO stir up some one who owRs 4
team, answer all his fool questions, and
get him started. Well, there's the moon
10 keep me company"
Dick shNered. There was something
so ecric in the idea of waiting so long OH
that lonely road, so far from habitation
in the night, with the sounds of the
night sitting out through the trees 81
/, the neighboring forest. He looked al
her doubtfully, and then up and down
the road, as though in search of the
! team that never came.
~ don't like to have you here alone
So long" said he, at length. Some
things might happen. Miss
Betscy!" he cried, with earnestness
, why not let me put you on my whee
and carry you right home? Won't tina,
: he better than waiting?"
Into his mind, meanwhile, ther,
, flashed a vision of himself wearil,
trudging along that long ten miles
afoot, holding the wheel upright ant
Miss Betsy upon it. But then it couli
!, be done, And they might meet 4 team
on the way. She looked at him mo
, ment. lie wondered If she would l.,
angry ut the idea; but she was not
/ Then she looked at the bicycle, ant
vouchsafcd Il response:
| "lt'll break down"
ut emb't!" cried Dick, Indignantly
You can't break il if youtr 1t wouit
! hold us both at once. Ilurrah!
have it! have il! just see here.
| tsal ~.