Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-08-27
Rowser on a Bicycle.


Il may seem to be, but alas ! am
not. I have no more muscle than a
baby, and can walk little without
feeling faint.
And you want some more Indian
clubs or another punching bag?'
NO, ma am, | don't The doctor
has recommended a different sort Of
exercise. Mr.. Kane, our neighbor,
will bring his bicycle here this even
ing, and l intend to take it out in the
road and learn to ride.
"You-on-a-bicycle ?" she gasped
"Why not? Why shouldn't I ride a
bicycle as well as anyone else You
are opposed to it, of course, but I'm
going to follow the doctor 5 advice. If
l can lengthen my life by twenty years
it's my duty to do so. There comes
Kane. 1t will not be necessary for
You to come and help Us.
Mrs. Bowser realized thatarguments
were useless, and she had nothing more
to saw. The two men led the bike
down the road and Mr.. Bowser rubbed
his hands and smiled and said
by George but know its going
to make a new man of me : I'll buy
one before noon tomorrow, and we'll
take ten-mile spin, eh p
"You can hardly expect to learn to
ride this evening, replied the neigh
Dor
"Why not? Say, Kane, I'll be cir
cling around this house inside Of ten
minutes When know that its life
or death with me I'm bound not to
lose a second. ! s'pose ! want to peel
right down to shirt and trousers All
right. Fetch cr up here. Makes me
hungry Just having the like about the
place. Now, then, the first thing is to
mount, isn't it?
eyes You take hold of the handles
so, and You make spring into the
saddle-so, and away you 60. Think
you can do it ?'
"Of course can. The old gal is
opposed to my learning how to ride,
but
Mr.. Bowser seized the handles and
sprang for the saddle When he re-
covered consciousness he was on the
broad Of his back in the dust, and Mr.
Kane was tanning him with an old
washboard which he had found in the
grass.
HAS anything happened p asked
Mr.. Bowser as he looked around.
"Nothingin particular. You were
tired and lay down to rest. "
"Yes-I know see ! suppose
you used to do that way Seen any
thing of Mrs Bowser p
NO"
"Then trot mp the health restorer
again. I'll put a little more spring
into my legs this time
Mr.. Kane held the bike this time
and helped Mr.. Bowser to mount. He
also suggested that he walk alongside
the machine until the novice had got
his nerve, but Mr.. Bowser replied
when we get around to that win
dow you give me a shove down the
slope and let go. see how she works
and I'll surprise you After I've made
about three circuits you can call Mrs.
Bowser up and I'll show her a scorch.
They call it 'scorching when you beat
creased lightning, don't they ?"
"Yes, l believe they do Now, then,
I'm going to let go.
Let 'er 'rah-whoop-"
When Mr.. Bowser woke mp this time
he was in his bed, while Mrs. Bowser
sat holding his hand and trying to look
very sympathetic.
"Tbis-this isn't heaven, is it2' he
whispered, as he looked around.
"Ob, no, dear, replied Mrs Bowser,
as she smoothed back his hair you
are still on earth How do you feel?'
"Who hit me with a house ?"
"No one. You were learning to ride
bike 70 lengthen out your days, you
know"
"And what-what-?"
"You got what believe they call
double wobble, followed by header.
Mr.. Kane got neighbor to help bring
you down here. The doctor has been
here and gone He said your neck
wasn't broken, but it would probably
be four weeks before you got outdoors
again. Do you feel that your appetite
has improved" ?"
Mr.. Bowser closed his eyes and
groaned.
"The doctor said if you would only
stick to it you would surely live to be
a hundred years old T.