The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1896-09-04
A SCIENTIFIC DEDUCTION
BY ALFRED o. ELDEN.

No; / do not think we intended to
run away 1t certainly was not pre-
meditated. but merely a chain of uncon-
trollalEle circumstances, at least, for
two boys of our age. However, you
shall judge for yourself.
l I3, and my brother IS years of
age. Walters tastes were decidedly diff
ferent from mine. He was very quiet
by nature, caring but little for outdoor
sports and games dear to the heart of
most boys. He was born scholar and
bookworm. \ volume of Dickens and
comfortable chair were, to him, far
more alluring than the hottest game of
baseball that ever gladdened the heart
and distorted the fingers of Young
America.
For myself, | was-well, just an ordi-
nary boy with, perhaps, more than the
average amoInt of youthful schemes.
The advent of circus in our little tow IL
fully convinced me that nature had in
tended me for a trapeze performer, con-
sequently my dear mother, always my
contidante and sympathizer, had no
peace of mind until costume of many
and wonderful colors was designed and
completed. She had a natural talent
for realizing the wants of boy. No
matter what manner of garb was de
sired, she was always equal to the emer-
gency, and many and startling were the
garments evolved from her resourceful
brain, to meet the numerous demands
of my youthful fancies.
My acrobatic ambitions were brought
to an abrupt termination by the trapcze
bar breaking while | was in the middle
of wild gyration. dropped very sud
denly, and also very forcibly, landing on
top of my head on the hard floor, and
giving NE the impression that my era
mum must be driven in, entirely out of
sight betweeen my shoulders | think
it was nearly four weeks before L
could turn IN, neck without turning my
entire body.
1t was about a month after this epi-
sode, and the family eat had fully recov-
cred from the fit into which she had
been scared when l struck, that | be-
came interested in pedestrianism.
cousin from Boston came down for a
two weeks "acation from his studies,
and an opportunity TO fill his lungs with
pure country air. He was big, strong
fellow, II freshman in Harvard, and en-
thusiastic over all athletic sports,
when | observed that every morning,
rain or shine, he invariably was out for
a two or three-mile constitutional. just
as an appetizer for his breakfast, he
said. it fired the spark of my somewhat
abated athletic ambitions into fierce
flame again. If imitation is sincerest
fiattery, my big cousin ought certainly
to have felt greatly fiattered, for now
off
miles, and adding to my fund of already
vigorous health.
| had been endeavoring for week
or more to enthuse some of the benefits
to be derived from this morning spin
into my brother; and at last, by my
persistent efforts, one evening | aroused
his interest enough to exact from him
a promise to accompany me on the fol-
lowing morning. and if it proved agree
able, perhaps on every morning. 1t
did not prove agreeable, as you will OBJ
serve.
He showed up, faithful to his promise,
bright and early, but absolutely re-
fused to start without his breakfast.
There was nothing to do but wait for it,
and it proved fortunate that we did so.
At last, about half-past seven, we
got under way, after casually mention
ing to our parents that we were going
for a walk.
\ pleasant course. and one which we
quickly agreed upon, was over what
was known as the old hen-scratchrr
road Two miles along this route would
bring us to Cedar bridge, where the
road crossed a small stream. Here we
planned to stop and rest a short while,
then return. making nice four-mile
iaunt Had these original plans been
carried out. all would have been We'll
but aIasI who ever heard of two boys
of our age doing things properly?
We reached Cedar bridge in good
marching order. but instead of return
ing as planned, we decided TO keep on a
short distance further, or far enough to
enable us to say we had walked five
miles. Then some evil genius prompted
my brother to suggest walking to East
pond. a favorite resort fully six miles
beyond US.
| always thought that he planned on
giving me all the walking l wanted, re
living on the strength of his maturer
age to carry him through. He failed To
take into consideration, however, that
| was in active training. Two weeks
practice had given me a good WIND anu
hardened up my muscles, so that L was
in really excellent form Our only fears
were that we might be little late
for dinner, and that our parents might
worry.
But taking out a pencil and paper
Walter figured out to our entire satls-
faction that two boys, having Travelled
three miles in IS minutes, should cover
six miles more in at least two hours.
As it was then but $50. he showed
me by scientific deduction" Che was al
ways great at things like thaD that we
should have no difficulty whatever in
reaching the pond by 10:30
Strangely enough, we did not stop to
consider the possibility of our growing
| tired. and not being able TO keep up the