Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-21
NOT SO BADLY MINDED.
An Ambitious Wheclman Becomes
Aware of His Error.


From the Youths Companion.
A kerosene bicycle certainly has its
faults. and at present the price is unsatis-
factory: but 1 had sport enough with mine
the first afternoon l took the road to bal
ance the account.
1t was the first one seen in that part of
the country. and as the young fellows call
it 1.-The lazy mans Wheel 1 told none of
them about my purchase. Next day, in the
afternoon, 1 filled the little tank with oil,
lighted the ignition lamp" and set off at
about o'clock for trial trip.
On that hot summer evening there was a
certain indolent pleasure and comfort in
sitting back and allowing the little kero-
sene engine to furnish the motive power,
WI lie l steered. The continuance worked
fairly well. OF course, there was a little
odor but not more than comes from a
kerosene lantern; and it did not puff loud
enough TO brighten horses.
After about ten miles, southbound, l made
call on an acquaintance, and then rode
back. 1t had grown quite dark along the
unlighted country highway when L drew
near the village where 1 live, but as l was
in no haste. shut the oil off to about the
least degree of speed possible, and was jog
ging slowly forward when loot, toot, toot
Went mellow little tusle behind, and a
fellow bicyclist trundied up abreast of me
on the other side Of the road.
1t was too dark for me to recognize him,
even II he had been an acquaintance and
not an entire stranger. He said Good
evening" and passed ME rapidly, for he was
evidently ''scorcher.' who liked to show
speed.
Good evening"" / replied, and let on a
little more oil; for no one enjoys being left
behind i'm a summary manner. My new ma
chine quickened and hung on his quarter
Observing this, he also Quickened. and 1
let on little more Oil. keeping close in his
rear.
My machine now pulled audibly, and
was aware that my fellow traveller turned
his head in an effort TO scrutinize me more
closely. 1t was quite dark however and
apparently he concluded that l was doing
the pulling and eNerting myself injudicious-
ly to race him.
Your wind seems little sprung, my
friend" he remarked pleasantly.
Il do have the phthisic slightly, in hay
fever time" l replied. moving up abreast
OF him, and even passing him little.
Thereupon he put up his racing hump.
1t was to be race, L saw. So. not to be
outdone In good form, put up hump too,
ard also opened I'D the feed pine OF my
kerosene works.
In consequence 1 appeared to puff terri
bly,: but by this time the other fellow was
doing good deal of putting himself for
We mad come to long stretch of ascending
ground, where the road was decidedly
heavy.
l maintained my hump and went I'D the
nil In great shape, and l will do my rival
in good style. His pride was evidently
touched. and he was eXerting himself to
the utmost.
l led him by an easy twenty yards, how
ever, and knew that he must be suffering
Human muscle cannot compete properly on
a long, hard hill, with steam or kerosene
He stuck to the race pluckiiy, however
thinking that a wind-sprung man must
needs collapse ere long. else, perhaps
that he could yet come in on the down-hill
stretch beyond.
The village lay on the other side of the
hill, and, emerging from the shadows of a
pine grove. we passed the cemetery and
glided swiftly into the main street, under
the bright glare of an arc light. 1 now
slowed, suddenly. preparatory to turning
into the cross-street, where / live and my
friend of the uphill race glided alongside.
For hay fever man you are a good"
he began to say, but stopped short, for now
for the first time he got a good view of nv
Wheel and saw that my feet were on the
rests. Then many impetuous words low,
but emphatic, burst from his lips
Yes, hay fever is very Sisa greeabIe, but
is not dangerous to life" 1 said. Good
night
The muttered response of my new road
pir,t, 7