The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1896-07-30
BARKER'S BICYCLE,

Barker is an old friend of mine and
this story is not told with any malici-
GUS intention. Not for the world would
do - 70 rlIDture the bond of
friendship which L., tied between
US for many years.
l have had talk with Barker about
it anyway, and he says he doesn't
mind, provided | handle the thing in a
neat and intelligent way, and do not
eXaggerate, which / shall certainly be
very careful not to do.
Barker is employed in a bank during
the day. He has never made it very
clear to me just what the nature of his
occupation is in that institution. but
he can be seen at any time between the
hours of ten and three seated on a high
stool and waving a long black ruler l
am Informed that he uses the rule once
in while to draw lines with. and even
puts down an occasional figure in
large book that is always open in front
OF him; but this is only hearsay, and
as have promised to contine this mar
rative strictly to facts l would rather
not make any positive statement about
it
But while it may be well to give
some short insight into the nature of
Barker's daily pursuits and the gener-
al tenor of his existence. it is by no
means essential to the full cOmDrehen-
sion of the events with which this story
has to deal, as the scene is laid entire
ly after the set of the sun, at which
time Barker ceases to be an ordinary
individual and becomes a bicycle tiend
Of the most desperate description. AS
matter of fact it is entirely probable
that such would have been his habitual
condition at all hours, if he had not
found it necessary for financial reasons
to waste his talents part of the time in
bank.
Barker's bicycle is machine of the
most approved pattern and equipped
with all the latest appliances for Sc
curing speed, safety and grace. There
was one point, however, on which he
experienced great annoyance. He could
never find device which would eX-
ercise sufficiently startling effect on
pedestrians, and make them jump out
Of his way in as lively manner as he
would like
"a bell amt worth a cent, you
KNOW he would say to me. People
are getting so used to hearing them
that they don't pay any attention to
them. | ran over three little boys, a
dog and an old lady last week, and it's
getting to be a nuisance"
l said | throught it was, and that l
had no doubt the three little boys, the
dog and the old lady also thought so.
It's an outrage" said Barker, when
man can't go along the street without
being tipped over by people who don't
look where they are going. There
ought to be law against it. Now,
what l want on my bicycle is some sort
OF thing that will show people who
go rushing around the streets at night
that they don't own the whole town.
Il don't mind telling you, though"
added Barker, that it will take pret-
u smart man to invent something that
Will fill the bill. You see, it has got to
De something out of the ordinary run.
The only way l can make them move
now is to yell at them, and there's too
much work about that"
We'll, Barker" said l. Il am not an
extraordinary smart man. but if yelling
at them makes them move l can fix
you"
How" said Barker
Garry phonosraph,' said I.
Barker stood for a few moments in
profound meditation. Then he slapped
me on the back with every appearance
u great enthusiasm.
Perkins, said he, you're an inven-
i've genius. Now here I've been puz-
zilns my brains for month about this
thing, and couldn't hit on a simple lit
ue scheme like that I'll go and get a
monograph right away"
There's one thing about it. Barker"
said |, "and that is that monographs
cost good deal of money!
What do care for thatf" said hs.
rather pay q hundred dollars than