The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-09-28
The Demon Wheel.

see II that happened It would be per-
petual notion"
That's 1t. You're not SO dull after
ALL That's just the point. and there's
where I'm going to paralyze the world.
1t isn't what this invention will do on
a mere bicycle that's the great thing.
That Is mere trifle compared with the
vast possibilities of the discovery"
But what did you do on the bike?"
what did I do? There was only
| one thing to do. II kept on I would
run smack through Marseilles and go
plump into the Mediterranean. If
ran the machine against q wall or
building I would smash myself into a
thousand pieces. l though over the
| situation for about 100 miles and then
| saw that by only chance was to make
for the Alps. knew by the rate we
were going 1t wouldn't take long to
reach there. and so breathing a prayer
that people would keep to their own
side of the road, / turned toward the
| east and made for Switzerland.
| passed the Paris-Berne express near
Dion and left her as If she were stand
ing still. tell you was happy man
when l saw the Jura mountains loom
up ahead Of me. l saw this hotel away
UP among the clouds and new there
must be road up to 1t, SO l pointed
for the tall mountain. You see couldn't
| stop and inquire the way; l was on a
through express. and had quite enough
Of riding for one trip"
And did the mountain stop the ma
chine?'
well, not perceptibly for the first
thousand feet. I was afraid l would
have to go clear over Mt. Blanc. The
second thousand feet she slowed quite
noticea bly,; the third thousand feet still
more. The fourth thousand feet saw
l could get Off with safety, but l was
so stiff with riding could hardly move.
At last when nearing the top, I saw
the brute actually wasn't going to stop,
so ! made an effort just at the summit
and threw myself backward over the
hind wheel, nearly breaking my neck
But I got Off. thank goodness"
And where Is this wonderful bicycle
now?
Heaven only knows: the Swiss gov
ernment doesn't, for I've telegraphed
them to find out. AS l sat helpless on
the summit. I saw the machine give a
wobble or two. and thought 1t was 60
Ing to fall but 1t didn't. 1t got on the
down grade and went at a rate that
seemed to be good for another 10000
miles. I telegraphed all down the road
lTOIH lulS HOtel dSkluS tHe dutHOIItleS
to be on the lookout for 1t, but I've
heard nothing from 1t since. I expect
1t took dash off the road at one Of the
turns and Is lying In the forest some
where. Perhaps ut has crossed the
Gemmi and the Slmplon and Is in Italy
by this time. Next machine I fit up
you bet I'll put on a controlling gear"
II think that would be an improve
ment.'
Eyes. Well, now you see my object
in telling you all this Is to give you a
chance of making your everlasting for
tune. ! left Paris. as I told you, In a
hurry, not expecting to take a trip to
Switzerland, and so brought no money.
If you let me have ESQ or fl0O now I'll
give you a quarter share in my inven-
tion. Remember Westinghouse offered
a half share in his brake for $500 and
the other fool didn't take 1t. He went
mad afterwards"
who? Westinghouse"
mo. The other fellow, because of
the fortune he missed"
you forget what told you at the
beginning"
what was that?"
I'm a newspaper man and conse-
quently have no money. But I'll give
you good notice."
And here 1t Is.