Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1896-05-28
NOT so BADLY MINDED.
An Ambitious wheelman BECOMES Aware
of His Error.

An Ambitious wheelman becomes Aware
of His Error.
A kerosene bicycle certainly has its
1aults and at present the price is unsat-
1sfactory, but had sport enough with
mime the first afternoon took the road
to balance the account.
1t was the first one seen in that part
rof the country, and as the young fell
lows called it 1.-The lazy mans wheel"
told none of them about my purchase.
Next day, in the afternoon, filled the
little tank with oil, lighted the ''igni-
ton lamp" and set off at about four
O'Clock for trial trip.
On that hot summer evening there
was certain indOlent pleasure and
comfort in sitting back and allowing
the little kerosene engine furnish the
motive power, while l steered. The
scontrivance worked fairly well. Of
course there was little odor, but not
smore than comes from kerosene
lantern, and it did not puff loud enough
to brighten horses.
After about ten miles, southbound,
fmade a call on an acquaintance and
then rode back. 1t had grown quite
dark along the unlighted country
highway when I drew near the village
where lived, but as was in no haste
fshut the oil off to about the last degree
of speed possible and was jogging slow
by forward when toot, toot, toot, went
a mellow little bugle behind, and a fell
-iow-bicyclist trundled up abreast of me
son the other side of the road.
1t was too dark for me to recognize
him. even if he had been an acquaint-
ance and not an entire stranger. He
said Good evening" and passed me
rapidly, for he was evidently "scorch-
GER" who liked to show speed.
'.Good evening" replied, and let on
"a little more oil; for no one enjoys be-
ing left behind in summary manner.
My new machine quickened, and hung
ON his quarter.
On observing this, he also quickened,
sand / let on a little more oil, keeping
close in his rear.
My machine now pulled audibly, and
Il was aware that my fellow-traveler
turned his head in an effort to scruti-
Fnize me more closely. 1t was quite
dark, however, and apparently he con-
cluded that 1 was doing the putting and
exerting myself injudiciously to race
him.
"Your wind seems little sprung, my
friend" he remarked, pleasantly.
Il do have the phthisic slightly in
ehay-fever time," I replied, moving up
abreast of him, and even passing him a
little.
Thereupon he put up his racing
hump! 1t was to be race, saw. So,
To, 1aa in T
up hump, too, and also opened up the
feed pipe of my kerosene works.
In consequence, I appeared to puff
terribly, but by this time the other fel.
low was doing a good deal of putting
himself, for he had come to a long
stretch of ascending ground, where the
road was decidedly heavy.
I maintained my hump and went up
the hill in good shape, and will do my
rival the justice to say that he followed
my lead in good style. His pride was evil
identity touched and he was eXerting
himself to the utmost.
lead him by an easy 90 yards. how
ever, and knew that he must be suffer-
ing. Human muscle cannot compete
properly on long, hard hill with steam
or kerosene. He struck to the race
pluckily, however, thinking that a
wind-sprung man must needs collapse
ere long, or else, perhaps, that he could
yet come in on the downhill stretch be-
yond.
The village lay on the other side of
the hill. and emerging from the shadows
.,of pine grove we passed the cemetery
and glided swiftly into the main street.
under the bright glare of an arc light.
now slowed suddenly preparatory to
turning into the cross-street where ]
lived. and my friend of the uphill race
glided alongside.
Fora hay-fevermanyo you are good"
he began to say, but stopped short, for
now for the first time he got good
view of my wheel and saw that my feet
were on the rests. Then many i'm
petuous words, low, but emphatic,
burst from his lips.
Eyes, hay fever is very disagreeable
sbut it is not dangerous to life," said.
'Good night"
The muttered response of my new
road acquaintance / will not repeat
Youths Companion.