The record-union., 1896-07-26

y s.
Every wheel must have BELL"
Said the Council grim;
Then with apprehensive grief
Maggie's eyes grew dim.
''Curfew shall not ring tonight"
Thoughtfully she said,
AS she gazed upon the tower
Rising overhead.
Then she climbed the ladder high
She was out of sight
'Curfew," once more she exclaimed,
Shall not ring tonight"
Doleful and demoniac sounds,
Spelling slumber sweet,
After dark the Council heard,
Clanking down the street.
And they cried, What disrespect.
WhOe'er saw the like?
Maggie's got that curfew bell
And hung it to her bike!'
st. Louis Globe-Democrat.
Dr. Robert W. Johnson is another
physician who believes in bicycle exer-
else for women. He said: IF woman
has an unaffected heart, do not think
she will be harmed by riding a wheel,
provided she does not ride too long at
time, for that wears out the heart, or
ride too fast, for that strains the heart
Thus used in moderation, this exercise
in the fresh air is just the thing to give
the system a toning up.
For girls of sedentary habits / know
of nothing better for them than to
mount a wheel at the close of days
work in a store or office and ride out
into the country. In this way energy is
expended in healthful exercise, which
would likely under other conditions go
into the nervous organism, to the det-
riment of the girls morality.
Riding in crowded places or immod-
erately, 1 believe, is not beneficial. 1t
produces the bicycle face as it is
called, which denotes that the rider is
nerves shows itself in the muscles of
the face. This is not the case nor do /
believe harm results when the wheel is
properly used.
DR.. Charles W. Mitchell not only be-
lieves in the bicycle for women, but has
prescribed it for a number of his pa
tients, as have the other physicians. It
believe" said he, that the healthy, or
aanically sound girl is benefited by rid
ing wheel, and the girl in certain con-
ditions of mental strain, one who con-
siders herself out of place in the world
is also helped by riding. Of course
there are exceptions in this, as in every
thing else. To the girl with sound
heart and lungs the exercise is an ad-
mirable way of using her surplus en-
ergy, in this way directing it into other
channels than those of sexual excita-
ton"
While the controversy for and against
boomers is being waged and even the
advocates are wishing that something
could be designed, the conservatives,
who constitute the majority, have taken
up the skirt 1t has been modified, how
ever, until it is not only becoming but
thoroughly comfortable. 1t is an adapta-
ton which gives perfect freedom.
The plaits are so arranged that there
is absolutely no restraint. The sides and
back fall in ripples and a saddle gore
has been introduced that keeps the skirt
in proper position on or off the wheel
This skirt is worn over Turkish trous-
ers, bloomers or knickerbockers. Leg
gings to match finish the costume. This
year a fad or preference prevails for the
dress and wheel to match. One of the
striking bicyclists of the season wears
q white flannel suit and rides a wheel
conspicuous with much white enamel.
But whatever the wheel, the leggings
must match the costume. With the
trousers, leggings and skirt are worn
a shirt waist, and for extra warmth
a REFER. Many use the Norfolk jacket
with the ripple. 1t is a popular basque
end can be made with or without lin
ings.
The only trimmings suitable for this
seasons mode is the small buttons and
many of them. The pattern combines
the Norfolk plaits and the ripple basque
effect. A belt of the goods or Of leather
to match or in contrast is worn.
a great many people VIII not buy a
bicycle for the reason that they are
charv of jeopardizing their lives while
studying the rudimentary points of the
pastime. So timid are many new riders
that it has taken them months to master
the erratic silent steed. Not so with 9TH
ers Wheelmen have been known to
start off on a bicycle the first time they
ever threw leg over the saddle, while
others take considerable time and need
not a little attention to faniliarize
themselves with the wheel. One serious
difficulty with women is that they dc
not know where to place their feet on
the pedals. Many of them ride with the
heel on the pedal, or nearly as bad, and
this is a practice that must be discon-
tinued. The ball of the foot must be
placed firmly on the pedal if any degree
of comfort is to be derived from wheel
ing II enables the rider to put more
strength in pedaling, and she is able tc
cover more ground In faster time ir
consequence. Put the ball of the foot
in action If you are looking for recrea-
ton on the bicycle. 1t is one sure way
of getting it.
The opinion has been expressed by
many that a high grade bicycle can be
manufactured and proftably marketed
for $40. Bicycles can be built for that
sum. but surely the purchaser, IL he
knows ANYTHING about mechanical con.
struction and its cost, cannot reasonably
expect to obtain a thoroughly high grade