The Washington times., 1895-06-30
MINISTER'S BICYCLE PROBLEM

She had not attended his church very long,
but was already one of the active workers,
though not admitted to membership. Miss
Vance one of the most devoted members of
his little flock, had brought her and i'll
troducsd her as her friend, and the young
people had speedily taken to her.
She had already presided at the flower
booth at the church fair, herself the fair
est flower among them" whispered little
Mr. Smith, who was sentimental She had
sung sweetly at several entertainments ant
taught a class in the Sunday school.
The young minister had welcomed her
gladly He had felt her appreciation of
his sermons and had seen response in hel
bright face to all his finest thoughts. Then,
too, she was a pleasant picture TO look,
at, with her piquant face, surrounded
with its halo of golden hair.
He knew little about her family except
that her mother was an invalid and her
older brother a physician practicing in
the neighborhood.
He was pastor of little, struggling con-
gregation in one of our large western towns.
The church had at last secured foothold
and was trying to build a suitable edlilce
The young minister had come to them the
winter before, fresh from one of the eastern
colleges, full of ardent zeal for his work,
anu Ills SJIIlbudl iOtCC anu clOquChl NOlOS
seemed to promise Well for the future of
the little church. He was anxious to make
converts and secure new members and had
been hoping to induce Miss Alice haywood
TO unite with the church and thus identify
her charming personality still more closely
with the work. when something happened
which cooled his ardor in this direction and,
indeed, left him puzzled as TO what course
to adopt with regard to this peculiar young
lady.
One bright spring morning as the minister
walked slowly along one of the streets on
the outskirts OF the town, drinking in the
fragrance ofopening leaf and flower, he be
held an apparitlon. Coming slowly toward
him, perched arily on the seat Of new
| bicycle, was Alice Mayw ood, heTgoldenhead
shining in he sunlight under her jaunty cap,
| her cheeks glowing The minister gasped
as the girl saw him and bowed, returned the
saIutation, too daZed to raise his hat. For
| the nayy-blue costume she Wore, with its
| prettily fashioned EtOn jacket was certainly
| made with skirt; no, it WASN'T a skirt at
all, it was boomers!
| AS the minister gathered himself together
| a sensation of annoyance predominated in
! the mixed feelings in his breast The cos
| tune was not new one to his sight-indeed,
| it was quite common in the city streets-but
| he had regardedthe WearerS as bold, ,unwO on
| anly creatures, who were Seizing upon pre-
| tended reform to attract attention to them
selves. 1t had not come home to him as a
personal problem to settle i'll his immediate
| circle.
| 1t was asanoutrage, hethought, gettingmOre
| indignant as he went on; and she had
! seemed so different, so quiet, modest and
refined. Some one ought to talk to her.
| What could her mother be thinking of! He
| couldn'tsaya wordl Theyoung mani blushed
| at the idea "Now, Gertrude would never
| of course not!'' He grew uncomfortably
| warm about the ears at the mere suggestion
| that Gertrude would do such thing. Then
the object of his disapproval glided out of
| his mind as quickly asshe had comein. The
| stern lines OF his face softened and he took
| up his day dream where he had left it.
Next fall when the new church was done
| he would go East and bring Gertrude and
| what good couldn't he accomplish with such
| n woman for an inspiration and helpmate?
| And his thoughts dwelt lovingly upon the
perfections of the sweet, gentle young
| woman who was going to giveup herfriends,
| her high social station and many advantages
| in the East and come with him to the wild