Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-03-12
THE CYCLE HERO.

sham battle of one Of the two regiments
which the city supported. Plumbettville
Is not the true name for the place, for
If 1t were too many might place the
characters i'll this tale, the subject Of
which is of recent occurrence Plumbett-
q Vile had prospercd much Of late years
Financial depression had touched it
probably moro lightly than any other
city i'll tho country. The census showed
an increase of population, and the town
laughed with its prosperity. Cycling
had more than kept pace with the gen
oral advance. A fortunate smooth pave
monts crusade i'll the city was followed
in the county 10y Il good roads mania.
With good streets and good roads there
Camo many beautiful suburban resorts
TO which whoelmen We're always well
come. Then there was a fine park with
many driVeways and n lake surrounded
by mile of cycle track as fine as any
thing outside of "a regular affair. On
these roads all bicycles were as free as
any other vehicle, with the result that
the sport grew apaCe.
The cycle race was the uppermost top
ic of conversation i'll Plumbettville.
There had been cycle races before, but
never one that promised so we'll in point
OF attendance and enthusiasm. The
events that had gone before but whetted
the desire to know more of the local
fiors.
There was ono thing that bothered
the meet promoters, and that was that
Colonel Cottontop had set the time for
his trODnS n e,
hour that the race was to start. He was
demonstrated with, but being all old
timer and set in his ways he refused to
change his order. He would be shot be-
fore he would change the arrangement
of his command for all the bicyclcrS III
Christendom
The unfortunate part of ii WAS that
the sham battle would rage over pOr-
ton of the territory used in the cycle
race. This section was the most popular
Of Plumbettvillc's suburbs and with
reason. Tw0rua pnrallcled each other
for several miles with Il distance Of not
over 200 yards between them. One was
an old pike that lead 20 the west and
the other Il finely macadamized driving
road llnUd with suburban homes and re-
sorts II lead ont through tho park and
was tho chosen route of all on bicycles
or horses. By means of the two roads
and those intcrsCCting, an excellent par
allelogram could he obtained for the cy-
Gle race, and here il would he held. If
the regiment assembled ut the same
time as the calling Of the race, it was
argued ny some that tho race would be
run off long before tho soldiers could
reach the grounds. This would also
was shrewdly addrd-Rivc zest to the
cycle race, MS the fight of the soldiers
might be seen AT nearly the same time.
So it came about that neither the cyclers
nor the soldiers changed the time for
their great event.
Tho training WAS done OH the lake
drive, and mighty earnest training it
was, too, even if the latest plans were
known somewhat mistily. Here, by
break of day, came the hiers, all dressed
in street clothing. At the base of Il stone
tower they took these off, disclosing
their racing toys beneath. Here they
scorched and juckcyed for all hour
Then they again got into their other
clothing and went to their days work
or business. Again i'll the eventide they
it is evident that they were of the white
amateur stripe.
One of the young mon i'll the party
had n decided advantage, because he
was n student on his long summer 5
holiday. In addition to this, he had n
doting father who had put him on n
part of the great circuit, as the old gen
tleman thought him sure winner.
While he never succeeded much in this,
yet he made plucky showing, satisfy
ing his senior. II this young man
whom we will call Smaley, could win
such great event at home, his father
would feel that his money had been we'll
invested.
Another notable one Of those in train
ing was Charles FuStleigh. Fastleigh
was naturally the fastest man, but he
had disadvantages that probably made
Smaloy his better, thought the boys
Fastlcigh was "a mechanic, AMI he was
handicapped by the muscle bound trou-
BILE. His great forte was his staying
power. Fastloigh had won races before.
but always by setting II killing pace at
the start and with remarkable ability
keeping it to the finish. Smaley, on the
other hand, WAS II bad pace setter, Il
good hanger on. and II devil for a short
squirt. Now to spurt was quite imposSi-
BILE for Fastleigh, as most any of the
boys could pass him if they could hold
on without going flat until the last
eighth.
All said the race lay between Fast
leigh and Smalcy, and all We're nightly
Interested. FaStlol1h and Smalcy lived
ON the road along which the race would
pass. Their homes were about four
miles from the center Of the city. In
the evening, after training, they would
Slowly ride home. The subtle quiet Of
the country as they entered was delight
full aU1 often i'll the sweet moonlight
they would talk over their prospects.
Strange AS It may seem each Of these
men was willing that the other should
win. Here were modern David and
Jonathan. To show how substantial
was the feeling, each did his best to
bring ont all the speed in the other
Smaley had been teaching Fastleigh
quite little sprint and Fastleigh la
bored long with Smaley getting his
stamina 10 the sticking point.
In row of cottages between the
homes of both young men there lived
two sisters, to whom both were much
attached Ii was here that the eventide
was spent, and you may be sure that the
race was not forgotten. In the home Of
the sisters was toddler of some three
years, who took lta greatest pleasure in
riding on carrier OH the head Of Fast
leigh's machine. 1t was an easy task
for the big machinist to carry the tot up
the stiffest Of hills. while his little com