The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-01-16

was ONeTJOyeu W see COinluB VOWhTub
me, over the crest Of the low hill, a man
on bicycle. When he saw me he ap-
parently hesltated, and made as II he
would turn back, but finally concluded
to come on. AS he approached saw
with amazement the reason OF his hesi-
tation. He was on my machine.
planted myself square in the middle Of
the lane, and although he attempted to
dodge me, grasped the handle bars.
Now, you scoundrel," said "get
or"
| He was a much smaller man than
am, and l knew that II matters came to
extremities I would have little difficulty
in taking care of him. He got off with
out word, but his face was pale and
his lips trembled.
"Now," said to him, "if / did right,
would break your ugly head You
may be thankful at getting off so easily ;
however, l am Obliged to you for mend
ing the tire, and because of that will
say no more about the matter"
The young fellow edged away from
me and looked as IL he would like to
take to his heels.
you needn't be afraid" l said; "I
won't hurt you"
Opening the little tool satchel at the
back of the seat, saw that he had not
taken away the oil can and some Of the
other implements.
Where are the rest of the tools?"
asked.
"They are all there that ever was
there" he answered with hesitation.
It wasn't worth while discussing the
matter with him, so mounted the ma
chine and assembled the hill he had
come down and ran along where the
disaster had happened Here, to my
amazement, / found my own machine
still lying where l had placed 1t un-
der the hedge. Without dlsmounting
whirled around and made after the
young fellow whom l had robbed. /
suppose I did look like disreputable
character with my face and clothes
smeared with oil through my hours Of
effort at trying to take my machine to
pieces. The moment the young fellow
run as fast as he could, and finally see
ing that I was bound to overtake him
he tried to get through the hedge,
where he stuck.
81 have no money" he shouted, "at
least only a shilling or two in my
pocket"
Look here" I said, "I am not such
villain as / look. 1 am no bicycle
thief. thought you were on my ma
chine. Didn't you see 1t as you came
along lying up against the hedge"
NO" he answered with relief, com
ing down to the side of the road again
WELL" / said, "I must apologize
very abjectly for my conduct. Your
machine is exactly like mine and !
thought 1t was mine. l never expected
any sane bicyclist would come along
this lane"
Didn't you come along the lane?"
asked the young fellow.
"Yes, but l said sane bicyclist."
"Oh."
"T have punctured my tire, and /
don't know how to repair 1t. I have
been working at it for hours, and II
you know anything about tires, for
heavens sake forgive me for the rob-
berry, and come back and show me how
to make my tire air tight once more"
The young fellow was very nice about
it, indeed, and he returned with me
to where the disabled machine lay.
With that expertness which receives
my most profound admiration, but
which seems impossible for me to
emulate, he whipped off the tire,
mended the tube, and put everything
in shape again. The whole episode
was a lesson in Christian charity which
| hope will not be lost on me.
I don't know when the second pune
ture Of that tire will take place, but
hope when it does, will have so good
and mild a friend within call as the
young fellow whom l robbed Of his BIZ
cycle.