Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-23
the large open attic, above. in which, to my
saw -four large white tents

amazement, I saw -four large white tents.
She led mo to the front parlor which was
partitioned off fromtahe attic and although
I looked in every direction 1 could see no
signs Of bed or anything else to sleep
en-. The marble-ton table had a little mat,
worked in shaded green zephyr, in which
the inevitable family album rested, the
stiff, old fash ioned chairs, covered in faded
green rep; the sprawling blue figures on
the we'll paper, alb testified to this being
the "best ROOM" But where's the bed?"
asked scarily. seeing my hostess was
about to leave me. ~
"Ya,. ya." she replied. snilingly. adding
something more In runpronouncable Dutch,
that.I couldn't unde4Stand a word of. See
ing my helpless look she stepped to the
wall and turned small button 1 hadn't
noticed on the GORGEOUS wall paper. A
panel fell down, and there in the wall of
the room. was tiny curtain, which she
drew smilingly aside, exposing to my view
bed. Pleased with my amazement she
proudly stepped to the opposite side Of the
room, turned similar button and 0isclos-
ed another little bed, an exact counterpart
of the first. Nor was this all, for she was
determined to enlishten me fully, and
showed me third and finally a fourth
bed. all of which, as we afterward discoy-
cred for ourselves, were built under the
caves of the slopins roof Never shall /
forget that tiny Dutch bed. At first afraid
Of being smothered l would not lie down
and sat bolt upright, with the curtains
open end. my head stuck out to breathe
but John set good example by going to
sleep at cIce, in lis box in the closet as
he called his bunk, and WEAKNESS soon
quieted my scruples and / slept soundly
until awakened early rext morning by
sounds fro m the queer attic, full of tents
just outside our door.
When ready to risk my life once more by
attempting to descend the Dutch stairway
to get breakfs st, i determined to first sat
isfy my increasing curiosity so going slyly
out. tiptoed to the first tent and noise
iessly lifted the white canvas and peeped
in. Within was a huge four-posted bed
that had been evidently slept In. Not quite
satisfied l tried another. but beat a hasty
letreat, for within the protecting cover of
the tent sturdy young Dutchman
making his t. ilet. BY means of the unique
covers on the beds the entire household
male and female. were enabled to keep up
some degree of privacy in this one room.
nope that Young Dutchman did not
me. but whether he did or not / didn't
feel quite comfortable Until we had paid
our very modest bill and once more start
ed snuthw&ru, after having visited and
photographed a hosptable miller and his
mll-thH last We were to see in Holland.
Riders Pay n License.
1t is not possible to go fully into the de-
tails of trip in a limited space We
made thirty to thirty-fve miles dag while
cycling on the continent, stopping any,
where en- route we pleased, having only a
general itinerary mapped out When we
We're tired and hungry would stop and
nave lunch, and, after resting, journeying
on again until evening. when we would put
up al the first place we saw that suited us
In Germany the roads are fairly good
but not to be compared to the highways in
England. Riding everywhere on the con-
liheht Is more apt to be fatigung, for in
Germany, in Holland and other coun-
tries, the pavements in the towns are cob
bic stones. and the rider of a wheel is joltcd
severely In spite of the best pneumatic
Whenever we found cycling too much like
hard work to be a pleasure we took a trin
by rail or boat. in the desired direction
after which we were ready once more to
take to the road, fully rested and ENJOYING
an the good bits. by contrast with the
FouSh ana uneven journey made before
In Germany the custom house officials
make little trouble for the cyclist. but a
license is necessary for the wheel and also
a tax Is levied On the machine for bringing
IL into the country; but this duty is re-
turned when the frontier is recrossed If
the little leaden seal attached to the wheel
is found intact. This tax is collected. also.
IN france and Italy, the amount charged
varying in the different countries from $40
TO $50, according to the value of the wheel
Inc wheel license can be procured for four
marks SD and is little metal tag abou,
three inches square, attached to the wheel
by a circular clamp on the central bar
The number on 1t Is large and the figures
being perforated. it is easily read. A rec
ord Is taken of the cyclists name, residence
anu occupation, the number or MS license
proving his identity in of accident
This affords the police a means of serving
lines on careless riders and scOrCherS WHOSE
number he secures they go flying by.
The scheme seems good one, that might
be adopted with profit in Washington and
other American cities
We wheeled from Utrecht where the
queer little hob-tail horse cars are decor
ated with huge brass dinner bells, to Ober-
hansen and then on to Dusseldorf we'll
punt rather uninteresting town of 10 900
inhabitants. in spite of it's famous school
OF art. With every mile the beauty of the
route increased. until We reached Koln
or cologne, as We know 1t, on the banks of
the Rhine.