Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-08-07

(0S occupies the place OF
nouor Oh the second page under the
heading, in large, black letters. "a
High Grade Ladies Wheel, the high
grade, OF course, applying to me and
not to the ladies. L defy any one TO
produce more perfect specimen OF
the bicycle kind than l was when
lett the manufacturers on beautiful
May morning just two months ago.
They we're proud of me at the shops;
indeed, think there was something
about my graceful frame and 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 | lett my ma
tive city and was shipped with many
companions to Washington.
liked this beautiful Capital City OF
yours, and longel for spin on the
smooth asphalt pavements, but 1t
seemed for time that l was doomed
to disappointment.
Twas taken to the bicycle school,
where l spent most of my days watch
lug the strange antics Of beginners,
tho 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 1 had Eo part, l was
new wheel, aud must wait quietly un-
til purchased. Sometimes my indlg-
nation would be aroused by the rough
treatment bestowed upon the poor old
machines, on which the beginners
were taught, by their inexperienced
riders. How they slammed those
wheels around Why, often l have
seen the ground strewn witd riders
with the overturned wheels under
meath them. Sometimes, though, the
wheel GOT on top, AMI then the rider
usually WAS hurt little. Th9 again,
some few of the wheels who had not
qaite lost all their spirit would get
tired OF the endless Jerking and clutch
ing, and spin around the track until
the scholar became pGralyzed and help
less with fear, and then plunge through
an open gate or up brick wall, with
the rider screaming: instructor
Instructor! Belp!" Those were risky
tricks, though, for you stood an even
chance OF getting hurt yourself.
Day after day watched these sights
until 1 was weary OF it all, and beyond
making firm resolution to throw my.
self down precipice before descend
ing to such work, I did nothing fol-
several weeks. At last one beautiful
morning-I remember we'll it was May
19-the manager of the place came II
the park, accompanied by a very pretty
girl and an older lady whom took tC
be the girls mother.
They came over to the rack in which
stood, aud drawing me out be said
"Here is exactly what you want, MISS
there is not finer wheel in the city
Look at that frame, good and strong
beautiful Y finished. Light weight
Just lift it, not twenty-five pounds, al
the bearings turned from tool steel
The girls pretty face was study q
she looked up and down in al anxious
effort to find the different parts tc
which the manager referred SO glibly'
"I like it," she said at length
"don't you, mother? You see" turn
ing to the man, 81 have been about 6
month trying to buy o wheel.
thought it would be quite easy, but We
have had q dreadful time. Besides
having gone to about twenty places
ourselves we have had at least thirty
agents, who heard we wanted wheel!
come after us, and the most puzzline
part of it all is that each one says al
the others are perfectly worthless. Sc
mother aud I made up our minds tt
give them all the slip, and that is why
we came here this morning. Let u
take this wheel, mother"
The mother approached me, tried tt
look critical, gave me gentle shake
and said;
"Well, it seems to be goo ! strong
one. do hope you won't have any
accidents. "
That very afternoon l was sent tt
nv new home, magnificent brown
stone on Connecticut avenue, and in
few days I knew all about the family,
for gossip is rife in the servants hall
in a little room adjoining which I wa
kept.
My young mistress was named Bes
sic Bainbridge, she was the onlY-an,
needless to say overindulged-child o
wealthy parents, and just now, o
course, she was suffering from ba(
case of bicycle fever.
Almost every evening after dark th'
devoted father and mother would sill
out on the porch and watch Bessie an(
ne struggle up and down the street
A young friend of hers was teaching
her to ride, and of all patient and de
voted instructors that handsome maj
took the lead. He was a nice fellow
too, and never seemed too hot or tire(
to invent suitable answers to the par
ents' endless questions as to why Bes
sic couldn't ride along like the othe
girls did, and what made the whee
wobble so, wasn't something the mat
ter, and hadn't they better go back II