The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-11-16

40 q OiCyStO Al Was DhOAE "
rather it was. It is in the repair shop
/ now.
| Perhaps the bicycle was not in airy
manner to blame, and the utmost charity
is asked for it in advance. Charity is
also asked for the man. He needs new
suit of clothes and some court plaster,
and the whisky was to blame for the
story, anyway.
If, after all this apology for it, the
bicycle was to blame, it is a mean, old
bicycle and should have thought of the
mans family beforehand.
1t was on West Eighth street that he
tried to get on. 1t was also on West
Eighth street that he got of.
For the fifteen minutes previous to the
assault of the bicycle the man had been
standing at the corner of Kansas avenue
and Eighth street in an endeavor to keep
a mail box in position.
With a great deal of effort he was sue
ceeding pretty we'll when friend of his
came bowling along hired bicycle.
You can bet the bicycle was hired.
Otherwise this story would not have
| been there to write.
"Sha. Billsh," called the whisky,
''Whoop, look't Billsh. Wheresh you
{ get bishicle?"
Round here" said Bill as he came to
the curb and rested foot on the side
| walk.
The happy man gazed admiringly at
the wheel.
"Itsh dandy" he said; "howshe rider"
"All right" said Bill.
Thirteen seconds of silence by all the
cast including the mail box.
Il en- ride bishycle," said the whisky
| presently.
Can your" said Bill as carelessly as
possible
"Betsh your life Pm good bischycle
i rider"
Another short spell of silence and
| then:
Think 1 can't, donsh ye. Get off n I'll
! show ye,''
Bill was wise and saw fun ahead. The
man who owned the bicycle was enjoy
ing an ignorant and delightful peace of
mind blocks away.
'All right" said Bill
The mail box was left to take care of
itself and its faithless guardian got hold
of the wheel
Hole It still, Bill" said the contented
man
"It's STILL" said Bill, as he started to
help his friend on into the saddle.
go way. said the leading man, "ihink
l don know howsh ride bishyclef Dom
wan no hep"
Bill stood back and the fellow struck
the saddle on his stomach. His legs
saved him that time, but his dignity
was below par.
"Try it again." said Bill, when he gos
his breath
He did. With a wild jump he landed
in. the saddle and began to take up a
collection of his feet in hope of finding
the pedals The bicycle was headed
down hill. Short and decisive was the
struggle and the bicycle came out of it
on top
After Bill had helped his friend to his
feet the latter gazed at the bicycle and
smiled a weary sort of smile.
''Shing amt very well broke, ish it,
Bill?" he said.
,"No, but it will bs soon," said Bill, but
he was too poor to pay for it aud was
having lots of fun, so he didn't care.
The daring spirit tried it again. bat he
was more careful this time, and leaned
up against telephone pole while be
steadied himself He pushed against the
pole to get a start. He got one, and oil
course went over sideways.
"WasA matter 18th blame pavement?
Won stay down." he numb led, as be
braced against the pole again and re.
sumed his seat after missing it and land
ing on the frame two or three times
SHINING his shin in the operation.
A small congregation had gathered BY
this time to watch the fun, and the mau
with the wheel and the jag did not ap-
preciate the attention he was attracting
IF any you fellows shiak ye en- ride
zhis wheel any better'n l can, get out
here an try it, he said, with an injured
air.
This was his last trial and the wheel
ran almost half a block with his legs fl y
, ing before it struck a rock and punctur-
ed tire.
The spectators thought the man had
been Knocked senseless, but he rolled or
his back with his feet in the air and his
arms spread out before they ould reach
him. He was doing the best he could tc
roll over and get up. 1t WAS SO funny
that the crowd let him keep trying, many
of them so convuIsed they could not have
helped him if they would
He succeeded finally and zigzaggeG
off in as dignlied way as man vel
could with his load and other infirmities
"You foolish ID let man lay in middle
street an die 'ithout raisin' ham wouldu'
, / ye?" he said as a parting shot; ''mear
fellowsh 'afIl put up job like THAT OF
man. anyhow. Let bishycle 'sault mar
and knock HON down 'thout raisin' han. >
The police have the heartfelt thanks Of
a number of people for remaining away
for the ten or fifteen minutes it took thit
tory to develope.
HAnnxE rAnDU.