The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1896-09-22

|. q. 3. !. !: !. !. J. !. ].
y w Ciu uuN my QG-
% a CNS scriptjon in any of
NNI/ the little books dis.
SeA/(l tributed by our firm,
0TI and should you look
81 1T up, you will dis
cover that my picture
(9S occupies the place of
honor on the second page under the
heading, in lnrce, black letters, "a
High Grade La lies Wheel, the high
grade, of course, applying to me and
not to the ladies. l defy any ono to
produce more perfect specimen of
the bicycle kind than ] was when
LETT the manufacturers on n beautiful
May morning just two months ago.
They were proud Of me ut the shops :;
indeed l think there was something
about my graceful frame aud polished
enamel finish that made me stand out
as one apart from the thousands of
other wheels around me. The first
journey took was when left my ma.
tive city AMI was shipped with many
companions to Washington.
/ liked this beautiful Capital City of
yours, and longel for spin on the
smooth asphalt pavements, but it
seemed for time that L was doomed
to disappointment.
| was taken II the bicycle school.
where | spent most OF my days watch
ing the strange antics OF beginners,
the earnest efforts OF those who had
takep several lessons, and the lofty,
though sometimes uncertain, air of
the ones almost ready to ride in the
street.
In all of this had 10 part, I was
new wheel, ana must wait quietly nm
til purchased. Sometimes my.indIg-
nation would be aroused by the rough
treatment bestowed upon the poor old
machines, on which thY beginners
were taught, by their inexperienced
riders. How they slammed those
wheels around Why, often / have
sen the ground strewn With riders
with the ovcrturne wheels under.
meath them. Sometimes, though, the
wheel got on top, AMI then the rider
usually was Lu7t little. Th N again,
some lew OF the wheels who had. not
quite lost all their spirit would get
tired OF the endless serGiug and clutch
ing, mud spin arounl the track until
the scholar became parIlyzed and help.
less with fenr, and then plunge through
an open gate o. up brick wall, with
the rider screaming: Constructor
Instructor Hclp!' Those were risky
tricks, though, for you stool an even
chance OF getting hurt yourself.
Day after day watched these sights
until was weary OF it all, and bevond
making II fran resolution to throw nv
self down a precipice bafore descend
ing to such work, 1 did, nothing for
several weeks. At last one beautiful
morning. remember well it was May
l9-the manager of the place came in
the park, accompanied by very pretty
girl and mn older la iy whom | took to
be the girls mother.
Iuey came over to the rack in which
| stood, aud drawing me out he sail
"dera Is exactly what you want, m SIS
there is not a finer wheel III the city
Look nt that frame, COOL and strong,
5euutl al y iiuisheG Light weight,
just lift it, not twenty-five pounds, ali
the bearings turned from tool steel 49,"
The girls pretty face was n study "a
she looked up and down in an anxious
effort TO fin the different PARTS TO
which the manager referred so nIibly.
81 like it," she said Mt len2tb,
don't you, mother? You see, " turn
ing to the man, 81 have been about n
month trying to- buy q wheel. I
thought IL woll he quite easy, but we
have had n dreadful time. Besides
having gone to about twenty places
ourselves We have had Mt least thirty
agents, who heari we wanted wheel,
come after us, md the most puzzling
part OF 10 nll is that each one says all
the others arc perfectly worthless. SO
mother and ] ma le mp our minds 10
give them all the clip, AMI that is why
we came here this morning. Let Ms
take this wheel, mother
The mother approached me, tried TO
look critical, gayc mo gentle shake,
anil said
well, it seems 60 BE- n goo ] strong
one ] do hope YOU won't have any
ar.t jcuts."
T.a. very afternoon 1 was sent 60
mF new home, magnificent brown
Stone ON Connecticut avenue. and in
few Days 7 knew nll about tho family,
for ao ip is rife in the servants hall,
300 a.I.'.e room adjoining which I was
l..E
young mistress was named Bes
l Hughrilgc. -hg was the only -lnl
r.. ...a 90 say OYcrindulgcl child Of
t'lv ptrouts and iuat now, OF
r."r She was suffering from n bad
nua9. bicycle fever.
'u.' every evening otter dark tho
e0''I ulhnr alI mother would SIT
ION t.a porch ami watch Bass.oand
ftuy,io up uul down tho street
IS ..H..r IrIUu D| hers was ta1ob1ug