Omaha daily bee., 1895-06-09

lookout on the roadway in front of him
At the moment 1t may be clear, but a few
seconds may suffice to change the entire
situation. At times he has to thread his
way among medley of vehicles of all sorts
and only a cool head and steady nerves will
carry him safely through. Constantly he
Is called on to exercise his judgment as to
what course to pursue-whether to go slow
or fast, whether to turn on this side or on
that, whether there is room for him and his
machine in the narrow opening between
two trucks-and his decisions have to be
made instanter Little time is there usually
FOR deliberation. Then suppose he has to
cross street car track. 1t is remarkable
how soon a rider who gives his attention
to his business will learn to note even when
considerable distance away whether car
has crossed the roadway ahead of him in
either direction, and so estimate his chances
or hnding his way clear. These are but
handful or illustrations out of the thou
sand that come within the experience of
every wheelman. Emergencies are con-
stantly arising, new problems are constantly
presented. unexpected combinations con-
stantly appear, and the bicycle rider must
De continually on the alert. or course in
the case OF a beginner there is considerable
nervous strain, but this soon disappears
ana a sense of exhilaration comes with the
demonstration OF ones ability to go through
tight place" without getting ratified"
| and without taking any serious risk, eau
tioh' as well as nerve is required, for at
times the only safe thing is TO dismount.
But It is not the perceptive faculties and
the Judgment alone that are cultivated in
the wheelman or wheelwoman. II the rider
Is a person OF intelligence he will not fail
TO discern and take advantage Of the op-
portunlties which the wheel presents to him
tor gaining knowledge Ct nature at first
hand When he takes run into the
country, therefore. it will not be simply for
the purpose Of seeing how long or how fast
a ride he can take. The desire 10 make
records is one of the evil phases of bicy-
! cling which can only be deprecated by the
| wise and prudent. 1t has its manifesto
| tions not only on the racing path, but in
| the unlaudable ambition OF many riders to
indulge In century runs" as II there was
| some peculiar advantage in the demonstra-
| ton OF ones ability TO ride 100 miles In one
| day. Rightly employed, the bicycle en-
| ables its rider to study with ease rocks and
| MOVERS and trees and the hundred and one
natural objects that should be of interest
to every rightly constituted mind. II also
enables one to travel over considerable sec
| tlons OF country with ease and delight in
the week or fortnight which constitutes the
| summer vacation of so many men. II Is a
| good thing for them to plan long trips awhcel
| but let them not place emphasis mainly on
! the matter Of making them as long as possi-
Gna,,, PIE, Lhe bicycle tour should combine
! be added right here that the smaller the
| company which starts on such tour the
| smaller VIII be the temptation TO fast riding
! which cannot fail to interfere seriously with
| at least two of the objects that should be
! kept in view.
| The bicycle has apparently come to stay
| II rightly directed its use cannot but be OF
vast benefit to its votaries in many ways 1t
clearly may have marked educational infiue-
| ence upon them, not only physically, but
| intellectually and spiritually.
THE CHAPERoN OUT OF DATE.
| The bicycle has a new function. writes
! New York correspondent. 1t is reegating
the chaperon TO her proper sphere II is
| not goodby nor a long farewell to the
dOwagers on duty. They will wag as long
| as society swings. But in the last year
| there has been a tightening Of the fctters
| that fasten a society girl to her chaperon's
side, and this, too, In the inneTmOst circles,
the approval Of which makes a custom good
form.
This is how the change was described by
one Of the moving spirits In the potential
| clique Of New Iork's most desirable society
| This white haired young matron was in
an after dinner mood. ready to scintiate
new idea II her brains were properly rubbed
| Her white crepon dinner gown. touched up
| with a cool, green velvet and valenciennes
! lace. was fsultless and harmonizsd with the
youthful face under it's pOmpadOur frame Of
prematurely white hair She had been con-
her last charity project and not care dis
turbed her serenity. Everybody knows that
| this woman, with her unassailable position
due to birth. wealth and natural leadership,
! can afiord TO point a new way even 4 100