The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-07-19
THAT BICYCLE SUIT.


workers, though not admitted to member
ship. Miss Vance, one Of the most devot-
cd members OF his little flock, had brought
her and introduced her as her friend, and
the young people had speedily taken her
up.
The young minister had welcomed her
gladly. Ho 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 moro closely
with the work, when something happened
which cooled his ardor in this direction
and indeed loft him puzzled as to what
course to adopt with regard to this pecul-
lar young lady.
One bright spring morning as the min
lister walked slowly along one of the streets
on the outskirts of the town, drinking in
the fragrance of opening leaf and flower,
he behold an apparltion. Coming rapidly
toward him, perched airily on the scat of a
new bicycle, was Alice Haywood, her gold
en- head shining In the sunlight under her
jaunty cap, her checks glowing. The min
lister gasped as tho girl saw him and
bowed, returned the salutation, too dazed
to raise his hat. For the navy blue cos
tune she wore, with its prcttily fashioned
Elton jacket, was certainly made with
skirt-no, 1t wasn't IA skirt at all; 1t was
bloomersl
1t WINS an outrage, tho minister thought
getting more indignant as he went on,
and sho had seemed SO different, so quiet
modest and refined Some one ought to
talk to her. What could her mother DO
thinking Of? He couldn't say word The
young man blushed at the idea. "Now,
Gertrude would nover-of course notln 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
us quickly as she had come in. 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 a woman for an inspiration and
helpmate? And his thoughts dwclt loving
~ upon the projections of the sweet, gem
tie young woman who was going to give
up hcr friends, her high social station and
many advantages in the east and come
with him to the wild west, as he called it,
to aid him with her culture with her
wealth, with herself.
So during the long summer he worked
hard and earnestly, upborne by the thought
of success and Gertrude and in the great
struggle all minor difficulties slipped out
of sight Alice haywood still gave her
services freely and fully to tho little
church, still taught the little ones and
spoke kindly and smllingly to young and
old rich and poor alike and still took her
daily bicycle ride, clad in her natty bloom
er suit, seeming to gain added strength
and health thereby. But the minister
fairly disikod her when he saw her skim
ming gayly by in her novel attire, espe-
cially as some of her acquaintance had
followed her example.
If any disappearing matron or maid
spoke to her about her costume, she inva-
riably replied that she and her family con-
sidcred it the only safe and sensible cos
tune to wear ON IA wheel and that sho in
tended to wear it.
Only to Molly Vance did she unbosom
herself further. Poor Molly lay FIAT on her
back, laid up for repairs" she expressed
1t, and Alice had stepped In to bring her
some sunshine and news from the world
outside. She had como in from long ride
on her wheel and Molly said she looked
like n relic of the Midway.
So you and tho minister don't like my
suit, Molly, dear" she said. II am sur
priscd at him, for l thought he was an up
to dato young man."
"Oh, no, Molly answered che is old
fashioned in his notions. You mustn't
mind him."
II don't" said Alice cheorfully. Then
she said earnestly
Molly, tho customs of the world have
always been hard on women. The natives
of Ceylon hang heavy rings in tho noses;
tho Turks shut them up in cages; the Chi
nese dwarf their feet, and tho modern
Americans and Europeans compress their
waists and hang heavy skirts on their hips.
But let any of them step out, be it ever
SO little, from the beaten track of custom
and point TO n bettor path, where comfort
and freedom from disease may DO had, and
promise you they will suffer-
After this long and somewhat serious
speech for the young lady sho tossed up
her cap, caught it on her head and said
farewell, and this was tho only sign she
gave that the criticism passed by "a few of
her acquaintance hurt her.
The days sped rapidly by and the new
church was completed. The minister went
back to tho east for his bride, returning in
few weeks for the dedication feeling
himself tho happiest of men His wife
seemed pleased with all she saw and en-
tered with enthusiasm into all his plans,
and he perceived with pleasure that his
people received her warmly and took her
at once into their hearts.
One day shortly after their arrival as
they were preparing for church Gertrude
said, John, what charming girl Miss
haywood is "
Yes" said John absently. Then o
cloud crossed his brow lie would tell
Gertrude. Perhaps She could think of
something 10 do. SO ho said:
Gertrude, that girl rides bicycle and
wears bloomers when she rides"
Does shef" said his wife "Well l
think it must be much moro comfortable
suit to ride in than a skirt"
John stared
Do yon know, continued she uncon-
soiously, I've always been dying to ride a
wheel. You ride, don't you, dearY'
Yes, said John slowly.
And next year III get one, too, and
we'll scour tho country together. 1t will
be good exercise for both Of us"
But, he faltored, you won't wear''-
Boomers" asked Gertrude. "Oh,
yes; SO much easier to ride in, and safer
too
The minister rubbed his eyes.
John, she said, with sigh rs she ar
ranged the heavy haircloth lined skirt and
fastened her tight waist, I'm be glad
when women dress mure sensibly."
The minister did not say much on the
way TO church, but he thought great
deal, and as Alice haywood passed him Mt
the door the thought popped into his head
that perhaps lac had been {. little too hard
ON hnr. Gertrude thought she was all
right, and Gertrude had sound sense, he
was sure. Cincinnati Post.
Forgot Something.
"Y III have forgotten something, said a