The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-07-28
BARKER'S BICYCLE.

Barker is an old friend Of mine, and this
story is not told with any malicious inten-
ton. Not for the world would do any
thing to rupture the bond of friendship
which has existed between us for many
years.
/ have had talk with Barker about it
anyway, and he says he doesn't mind,
provided handle the thing in neat and
intelligent way and do not exaggerate,
which shall certainly be very careful not
to do.
| Barker is employed in bank during the
day. He has never made 1t very clear to
me just what the nature Of his occupation
Is in that institution, but he can be seen
at any time between the hours of 10 and 8
seated on high stool and waving long
black ruler 1 am informed that he uses
the ruler once in awhile to draw lines with,
and even puts down an occasional figure In
a large book that is always open in front
of him, but this is only hearsay, and as I
have promised to conflne this narrative
strictly to facts would rather not make
any positive statement about it.
But while it may be vol to give some
short insight into the nature of Bankers
daily pursuits and the general tenor of his
existence, 1t is by no means essential to the
full comprehension Of the events with
which this story has to deal, as the scene is
laid entirely after the set Of sun, at which
time Barker ceases to be an ordinary in
dividual and becomes bicycle fiend of the
most desperate description. AS a matter
of fact it is entirely probable that such
would have been his habitual condition at
all hours if he had not found it necessary
for financial reasons to waste his talents
part of the time in bank
Barker's bicycle is machine of the most
approved pattern and equipped with all
the latest appliances for securing speed,
safety and grace. There was one point
however, on which he experienced great
annoyance. He could never find a device
which would exercise sufficiently star
Ting effect on pedestrians and make them
jump out of his way in as lively manner
us he would like
"A bell amt worth cent, you know"
he would say to me. People are getting
so used to hearing them that they don't
pay any attention to them. ran over
three boys, n dog and an old lady last
week, and it's getting to be q nuisance"
baii biluugilt IL WIS anu llltl 1 Hill
no doubt the three little boys, the dog and
the old lady also thought So
'1t's an outrage, said Barker, "when q
man can't go along the street without be-
ing tipped over by people who don't look
where they are going. There ought to be u
law against it, Now, what want on my
bicycle is some sort of thing that will
show people who go rushing around the
streets at night that they don't own the
whole town.
II don't mind telling you, though"
added Barker, that it will take pretty
smart man to invent something that will
fill the bill. You sec, it has got to be some
thing out of the ordinary run. The only
way can make them move now is to yell
at them, and there's too much work about
that"
''Well Barker" said !, 81 am not an
extraordinarily smart man, but if yelling
at them makes them move can fix you"
"How?" said Barker
Garry phonogruph," said I.
Barker stood for few moments in pro- !,
found meditation. Then he slapped NE on |
the back with every appearance of enthusi-
assn.
Perkins, said he, "you re an inventive
genius. Now, here I've been puz2ling my
brains for II month about this thing and
couldn't hit ON IL simple little scheme like
that. III go and get u photograph right
away"
There's one thing about it, Barker"
said |, ''and that is that monographs cost
Il good deal Of money
what do care for that?" said he IRA
rather pay 500 than be constantly in dan.
ger from those reckless people"
One or Two evenings after this was
crossing Howard avenue when / heard IL
voicc-Barker's voice, but with al I'm.
familiar nasal twang about it-hnllOolug
ut me, Look out thercl'
lnyoluntariy l started. There was IN
about it-a weird and unnAt-
ural emphasis. 1t WAS voice pregnant
with the ring of authority, and as | step
ped quickly to one side there shot by nc
vision OF gray golf stockings, sweater and
cycling cap with which l was pretty well
SO he had actually rugged up
his wheel with phonograph! Darling in.
to nearby bicycle agency, hired u wheel
in feverish haste and sped up the avenue in
pursuit of the ilceting figure in gray. In
The dim distance | could hear tho howl of
the fiendish thing as it sped on through
the night, and as spun over the asphalt
with the speed of the wind the space he.
tween us lcsscned and began to catch the
medley of shouts that were pouring forth
rom the vicinity of Barker's handle bars
He had evidently loaded it with a variety
II expressions suitable for all sorts of
and the thing was splitting
hem out with an intelligence that border.
ID on the marvellous,
Would you be so kind miss, it said
With the accent of Chesterfield, as a wom- :
N of the fat and forty persuasion step
'ed in the way, 'as to turn to the right a
ittle2 Aw, thanksr'
And the woman smiled at Barker and ,
bought he was such polite young man. !
few rods farther on small boy darted i,
cross the street beneath the flickeringrays
I the electric light
Hi, thereP' yelled the phonograph.
Get move on you now-yi! vi! yiw
'hereupon the boy was convinced he was !,
eing pursued by u lunatic and fled down h
side street. ~
Barker" said l solemnly, pushing my n
heel up alongside of him by tremendous n
fort, you had better take that thing off" u
why how do you do'' said he "Take r.
Off WhyP' y,
BECAUSE am morally certain, said l, h
hat It's violation Of ordinance No ft
46. If one Of those mounted polio Pmen
mes along and that thing howls at him.
'u'll go to jail"
But Barker evidently thought that was X
ponsense. He didn't care if it violated d
c whole council series from A to lizard b
e had got hold of an elegant thing and +
IS going to stick to it, aud l was gay &C
TT OF a man to recommend it to him and OF
en- advise him to give it up All this tc
ne the photograph was talking in tone oN
deep disgust to heavy individual who Vi
,s pedaling along in leisurely way just