The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1896-09-26

live ct the top. TheEe was . butchers
cart coming up, and We waited until
that had passed along. Then We mount
ed
Podgeley was all right for about 80
yards. Then somebody with . clothes
basket came out Of the garden gate and
walked down the pavement = score Of
PAGES in front Of us The sight Of that
person seemed for some reason to infuri-
ate Podgeley's machine. He appeared
TO mc to be quite q harmless looking
individual. but P~odgeley's bicycle
thought otherwise, | suppose, for it
went straight for tho poor doomed fell
low like All arrow from the bow.
Podgeley couldn't hold it. I shouted
to him to lean over to the right and
steer away from the pavement. but l
might have saved my breath. OF went
the bicycle straight for its quarry. Over
the c%urbstone it leaped, full of FIRE and
fury, and down tie asphalt pavement it
careered, silent. but certain US death.
saw Podgeley madly grab at his bell
in order to warn the victim OF his tor
nadolike approach. 1t was too late. In
an instant the bicycle was upon him
with u rush and q crash, and the next
Podgeley, clothes basket, harmless Pc
destrian and bicycle were merging in
one heaving, surging, vituperatlng
mass. in which I was very glad to have.
tor once, 10 hand.
It was tho most ~unprovoked assault I
have ever seen, and l rode away, as per
agreement. rather than appear to have
any connection with 50 unprincipled .
character as Podgeley. I dismounted.
however, at q distance and looked back.
They were sorting themselves gradually,
I found, and there had been no casualty,
but there was y great deal of linen lying
about the pavement and the clothes
basket had the front wheel inside It.
Also there were much talking and arRu-
ing. and l observed PodgesSey hand the
other . card and something that looked
about the size Of half q crown before
they parted and his victim limped
away down the street
Podgeley watched him safely round
the next corner before he picked up his
bicycle to remount. Then he shouted to
me and I returned.
II don't think he's much hurt" said
Podgeley, but it cost me five bob and
he's coming for more If it still pains
him by tomorrow. What on earth made
the blamed thing behave like that2''
I told Podgeley that he had lost his
head and leaned over on the wrong side,
but he didn't believe me Of course Ac-
cording to him the machine went ono
way because he tried to steer it the other
and because it wa possessed Of the
devil.
Then we met . horseman. Icould not
help rejecting what q very unfortunate
young fellow that horseman must be TO
have met 3 Podgeley in the way, and,
knowing what must happen, I rode rap
idly on. The horse had already begun to
dance around on its tiptoes when / passed
it, and a / looked over my shoulder I
perceived the inevitable already in
process Of coming about-that is, I raw
Podgeley and his bicycle heading
straight for the nervous steed and his
pxllid rider.
I never heard for certain whether
there was any actual collision on this
occasion, for Podgeley is ever modestly
reticent about his achievements, but /
know that . couple Of minutes later
there was . very great Gathering Of
hoofs behind me, and - I escaped to
the side Of the road horse and rider hur-
tied past me ct full gallop, evidently
routed By Podgeley, who pursued them
- far y my hind Wheel into which he
ram, for want, ] suppose. of anything
better to run into I don't know what
became Of the hofseman, but / gather
he must have COMO round another way
il he desired to reach the place be was
originally making for.
When Podgeley had finished explain
ing how wrong It was Of me TO have got
in his way. since he was only . begin
ner, he remounted and % did L hoped
that be would now turn and ride back
the way he had come, but Podgeley. Nm
satisfied with his triumphs, was resolved
to ride into High street.
whats the good, Podgeley?'' / said.
"You'u only ride in 1t the first shop
window"
But Podgeley would have il his own
way, and there was nothing for it but
to 20 home and leave him TO his fate on
hurry along in front Of him and watch
his movements from = distance 20 great
that no . would suspect me OF being
in any way connected with him. I de-
cided to adopt the latter alternative, be-
cause. - ! explained to Podgeley, it
would be interesting in amournful way
to see which lamppost the infatuated
crowd lynched him to. His peoplo would