The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-11-11
BY MARY
C.. FRANCIS.


his ere the sun should set.
"The unusual interest in the meet
caused the early arrival of many at
the track, and, although the races were
not scheduled 10 start before half-past
two O'Clock, nearly ell the officials were
on hand by noon. Judges, timers,
scorers, rr2pircs. the referee, the clerk
of the course, the starter, the chairman
OF the racing committee of the Atlantis
Wheelzlen, and the official handicappcr,
all put in an appearance at a phenome-
nally early hour.
"Lools as If we were IN for great
day. doesn't it?" said Van Dyke to the
chairman OF the racing committee, TO
one Of the judges, as they met in tho
training quarters. "The boys are all
full of the spirit Of the thing, and every
one of them is out for the prizes. There's
going 10 be some good sport here this
afternoon"
THAT'S right. Who's your choice?"
"Vell, for once, I'm not risking
guess. The men are pretty evenly
matched, you know, and what one lacks
in speed another may make up in en-
durance. They're all anxious about that
Australian trip; everybody wants to
go out"
Good stuff up for somebody to-day,
Walter" said Slater, one OF the racing
men, as he critically examined his
wheel. "By Jove, old fellow, you ana
are friends off the track, but / give
you fair warning, 1 shall 60 in TO beat
you in that handicap, If / never do
again"
Good luck to you, my boy; good
luck. I'll Just consider myself beaten
now. Hello, Nelson as Scott entered,
"here already! How are you on speed
to-day? / suppose you're liable to get
off that famous sprint of yours, that
| winds in and out of other fellows
wheels like country rail fence, some
time this afternoon"
Perhaps" said Scott, rather absent
ly. Jimmy, take this wheel and give
| it q good cleaning and then take it to
the little room under the grand stand
and take care of it until i call for it
after the races"
"Ah. ha. lady'g Wheel" said At
lsinson. 'Oh, the story's out, Scott.
We're all ready to send in our congrat-
ulations."
Thanks" said Scott, carelessly.
"You might as well present them now,
for propose to win the handicap"
Out on the track sextette, two quads
and several triplets and tandeS,s cir
cled around under the watchful eyes of
the officials, who carefully noted the
/ action of the riders and the skill with
which they handled the machines.
! Around and around they went, sailing
over the track with scarcely an effort
| visible on the part of the riders, as the
| impetus of thoroughly-trained limbs
propelled the wheels in powerful,
| gliding motion that was fascinating to
watch. 1t was difficult to realize that
in short time single riders would be
following in the wake of the vacuum
of those machines. striving to lower rec
ords already a testimony of speed and
endurance.
1t was half-past one. Already the
| grand stand, which had yawned in emp
tiness all the morning in front of the
track, began to show signs of animation
in the advance guard Of those who did
not hold reserved seats, and who came
early to avoid the proverbial rush. The
| inevitable crowd of hangers-on for any
| sporting event were on hand, as usual,
| and the marshals began to keep n
watchful eye. The band arrived and
made preliminary essays at the popular
1 Lao 81.
posed to enlven the events. The flags
over the judges stand futtered gayly
| in the breeze. A Whit of salt air from
| the bay drifted over the course. The
grand stand was filling rapidly now,
and groups began TO appear in the
boxes. The hour for the races was close
Mt hand, and the track was clear and
every man was in his quarters, while
| the judges stand was filed. There was
an air of excitement that was all per-
vasive. Directly in front OF the long
row of boxes opposite the judges stand
about two score of newspaper men
| busily prepared 10 send the news 10
their papers. Typewriters clicked and
two telegraph wires flashed messages
incessantly.
1t was hut few minutes before the
signal for the first race that Josephine
and several friends were escorted TO IL
box in the center of the circle by the
donor Of one OF the trophies.
"One-mile scratch, professional" read
the girl with the red roses on her hat.
GLOW funny! What does scratch
mean? 1t sounds awfully pugilistic."
Josephine was the authority for the
occasion, and she rose nobly to the SIT
nation.
THAT means that all the men are on
the tape when the pistol is fired"
81 wish knew as much as YOU" said
the girl in the buff top-coat. ut seems
perfectly wonderful &c understand such
things. IL seems more fascinating than
Whist I'm sure--I begin TO understand
it ALL"
"rm 20 glad came. by the way,
| here's the name OF Nelson Scott entered