The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-29
NOT so BADLY MINDED.
An Ambitious WheeIman Becomes
Aware of His Error.
From the Youths Companion.

From the Youths Companion.
A kerosene bicycle certainly has its
faults. and at present the price is unsatis-
factory; but 1 had sport enough with
mine the first afternoon took the road
to balance the account.
II was the first one seen in that part
of the country, and as the young fellows
call IL 1.-The lazy mans wheel" l told
none of them about my purchase. Next
tank with oil, lighted the Ignition lamp
trip.
On that hot summer evening there was a
certain indolent pleasure and comfort in
sitting back and allowing the little kero-
sene engine to furnish the motive power,
while | steered. The cOntrivance worked
fairly well. OF course, there was a little
odor, but not more thar comes from a
kerosenA lantern; and it Gid not pun loud
enough to brighten horses.
After about ten miles, southbound,
made call on an acquaintance, and then
rode back; 1t had grown quite dark along
the unlighted country highway when /
drew near the village where / live. but as
l was in no haste, l shut the oil off to
ABOUT the least degree of speed possible,
ana was jogging slowly forward when
tool, toot, loot went a mellow little bugie
behind, and a fellow bicyclst trundied
up ABREAST OF me on the other side of the
road.
1t was too dark for me to recognize him
even if he had been an ACQUAINTANCE and
not an entire stranger. He said Good
NFNAA4AAb anu UdoSEQ me rapidly. Tor he
was evidently 'scorcher" who liked TO
show speed.
Good evening"" replied, and let on a
little more oil: for no one enjoys being
LETT behind in summary manner My new
machine Quickened, and 1 hung on his
quarter.
Observing this, he also quickened. and
rear.
Ny machine now pulled audibly. and
was aware that my fellow traveller turned
ms mead IN an effort to scrutinize me more
closely. II was quite dark, however, and
apparently he concluded that l was doing
the putting and exerting myself injudi-
ciously to race MIN.
Your wind seems a little sprung nv
friend" he remarked pleasantly
Il do nave the phthisic slightly in hay
tever time. ] replied. moving uD abreast
or him. and even passing him a little
Thereupon he put up his racing hump
IL was TO be a race l saw. So. not Ia
be outdone in good form, l put up hump
my kerosene works.
In consequence l appeared to puff terri.
ply; but by this time the other fellow was
doing a good deal of putting himself for
We had come to a long stretch of ascend.
heavy.
!, maintained my hump and went up the
hill in great shape and will do my rival
the justice to say that he followed my lead
| in good style His pride was evidently
touched, and he was exerting himself tc
led him by an easy twenty yards
however, and L knew that he must be
suffering. Human muscle cannot com
pete properly, on long hard hill. with
/ steam or kerosene. He stuck to the race
| pluckily, however, thinking that a wind
! sprung man must needs collapse ere long
| or else. perhaps, that he could yet come
/ in on the down-hill stretch beyond
The village lay on the other side of the
| hill, and emerging from the shadows OF
! a pine grove, we passed the cemetery anC
! glided swiftly into the. main street, un
! der the bright glare of an arc light
1 now slowed, suddenly, preparatory &c
turning into the cross street, where
/ live and my friend of the uphill race
/ glded alongside.
For a hay fever man you are &
! good" he began to say, but he stopped
short. for now for the first time he go
a good view Of my wheel and saw thai
my feet were on the rests. Then many
impetuous words, low. but emphatic, burs
from his lips.
Yes, hay fever is very disagreeable
but is not dangerous TO life" 1 said
Good night"
The muttered response of my new road
acquaintance will not repeat.