The herald., 1896-11-19
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Z THE SPORTS OF THE DAY :
70 n
4AAAAA OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

great importance VIII De ulscuSseu anu
voted upon by the delegates. The Sc
most exciting events of the convention.
Potter, Elliott and Morrison are now in
the field as candidates for the head of
the ticket, and all three may look for
support from their constituents. Eli
otis record is good one, and he may be
returned.
Charles M. Murphy, the Brooklyn pro-
fessional has made an announcement,
a la Patti, that he will retire permanent
ly from the track. Murphy has seen
more service on the track than any other
rider in the world. For over fifteen years
he has been conspicuous figure before
the public, and up to the very last he
has commanded his share of the lau-
rels. When the first racing was done
on the high wheels Murphy was cham
pion. Year after year he has followed
the circuit. When the safety was intro
duced he was one of it's first exponents.
under the tuition of T. w. Eek when he
was a member of the Stearns team in
Syracuse, in 1893, he rode faster than
at any time in his life He has been
riding like fiend since then and has
won more prizes than any other racing
man who ever got on wheel At the
age of "a he has the right to retire and
although he leaves the circuit without
the crown, the unanimous opinion is
that Murphy has a perfect right to be
classed with the best ones.
Press and public are now interested in
the League of American Wheelmen.
This is evidenced by the number of
applications that are pouring into the
office of Secretary Abbott Bassett and
the announcements which appear in
all of the leading journals pertaining to
ways and means by which wheelmen
may join the l.. A. w. In very short
space OF time the membership has jump
ed 10000. and it is going up every day
Much might be said of its advantages,
but most wheelnIen understand that
legislative bodies are being approached
and much coin of the realm expended in
distributing literature throughout the
country, which, in measure, deals with
good roads, an important factor in the
routine work of the officials. Still, when
it is considered that the number of
league members is infinitesimal COM
pared to the host of riders in this coun-
try 1t would seem that some steps might
be devised for reaching this class and
coercing them into appreciating a good
thing.
A few thousand will do some good but
100 times that amount will do more.
With full treasury the efforts of the
l.. A. w. officers could be directed in so
many channels where the interests Of
riders are at stake that the good that
would naturally result would be ines
timable. But it requires considerable
lHbor, and no mar-is working for love-
If the membership of the L. A. W. were
100000. able counsel could be secured
to look after the rights of wheelmen.
Concentrated action is necessary.
An inquirer asks: Does bicycling tend
to produce knock knees or bow legs?
1T is nice question, which physicians,
1T Is found, prefer to dodge, says the
Evening Post. A mere lay view is that
straight-legged persons, if they ride
right, will remain straight, however
much they ride; if they ride wrong,
their legs are pretty sure to be bent,
and If they begin with a tendency to rub
their knees or to keep them more or
less for apart the bicycle is not likely
to help them much to increase their
height In the correct position on a
properly made bicycle the knees are
not wide apart, the narrow tread maxi
ing the attitude altogether different
from that assumed on horseback, which
undoubtedly does often produce a fixed
curve of the leg. The only effect there
| fore, should be to straigkten the leg
and keep it straight. If the saddle is
too low the rider is apt to let the knees
1all out and so gradually induce bow
ieggedness. or else he will be forced to
u,
on foot of Strengthening them out If
ne rides pigeon-toed, that is exaggerat-
euiy so, his knees are reasonably GER
tain to clash when he walks, and If his
saddle is so far back that his posture
IS that of sitting rather than running
ne Is almost sure to acquire the habit.
both awheel and afoot. of forming an
ellipse with his legs. OF coure. if he
is naturally bow-legged or knock -kneed
the pressure is calculated to increa 80 tho
curve. N--N
Marion Mills, 2:21A, the pacing mare
that mas attracted so much attention as
the Suldeless wonder" is thus describ-
ed in the New York Times:
Marion Mills is the wonderful pacine
mare which is just now attracting wide
spread attention among horsemen and
horse lovers. Marion Mills PAGES under
regular track conditions, in so far as it
is possible, without bike, driver or
prompter of any kind She is revela-
ton to followers of the turf and is en-
Enthusiastically received by the public
wherever exhibited. 1t is not merely
the fact that she goes alone" that rem
ders her marvel. Her almost human
intelligence and the hearty thorough
ness with which she enters into the sport
-for such it seems to her-are important
factors in the above result and must.
with her natural beauty of form and
gait, be taken into considera ton in read
ing of her success in her present novel
role.
Marion Mills is a handsome light bav,
stands trifie over fifteen and one-half
hands high and weighs 800 pounds. She
was sired by Henry Mills, he by Milwau-
kee, and he by Hambletonian TO- Her
dam was Nellie, by Joe Bassett. sire of
the famous PAGER Johnston, whose rec
ord was 2:06A Thus, it will be seen. she
comes from fast strain of pacing stock
and is naturally entitled to the great
speed honors already attained. But as
before indicated. it is not the speed nor
the mere performance that eXcites the
wonder and admiration of the specta-
tors-it is tie mares intelligence Be
fore essaying her present feat, Marion
Mills had pacing record of 2:21A. She
was an exceedingly nervous but know
ing horse.
few months ago, after the opening
of the present season, Mr.. Athearn con-
ceived the idea of having her so alone.
He took her to the race track in this city
for trial; and, strange to relate, the
which convinced her owner that his pur-
pose would not be an impossible accom-
plishment. In each subsequent trial she
improved in speed and smoothness of
performance.
The exhibition is simpler in detail than
would be supposed by those who have
not witnessed it. There is no pacemaker,
no guiding, no whipping, no urging, no