The Mena weekly star., 1896-09-09
A PUNCTURED TIRE.

defy anyone to produce more per feet specimen of the bicycle kind than l was when l left the manufacturers, on beautiful May morning just two months ago. You can find my descrip- tion in any of the little books distrib- uted by our firm, and should you look it up, you will discover that my picture occupies the place of honor on the sec -ond page under the heading, in large black letters: "A High Grade Ladies' Wheel, the high grade, of course, ap- plying to me and not to the ladies.
 They were proud of me at the shops: indeed, think there was something about my graceful frame and polished enamel finish that made me stand out as one apart from the thousands of other wheels around me. The first iour- .ney i took was when l left my native city and was shipped with many com panions to Washington.
 l liked this beautiful capital city of yours, and longed for spin on the smooth asphalt pavements, but it seemed for time that was doomed to disappointment.
 l was taken to the bicycle school, where l spent most of my days watch ing the strange antics of beginners, the earnest efforts of those who had taken several lessons, and the lofty, though sometimes uncertain. air of the ones almost ready to ride in the street.
 In all of this l had no part, I was a. new wheel, and must wait quietly until purchased. Sometimes my indignation would be aroused by the rough treat Inent bestowed upon the poor old ma- chimes. on which the beginners were taught, by their inexperienced riders How they slammed those wheels around. Why, often I have seen the ground strewn with riders with the overturned wheels underneath them. Sometimes, though, the wheel got on top, and then the rider usually was hurt little. Then again, some few of the wheels who had not lost all their spirit would get tired of the endless jerking and clutching, and spin around the track until the scholar became paralyzed and helpless with fear, and then plunge through an open gate or up brick wall, with the rider screaming: Instructor! Instructorl Help!" Those were risky tricks, though, for you stood an even chance of getting hurt yourself.
 Day after day watched these sights until I was weary of it all, and beyond making firm resolution to throw my self down precipice before descend ing to such work, I did nothing for sew eral weeks. At last one beautiful morn ing-I remember we'll it was May 19-- park, accompanied by very pretty girl and an older lady whom took to be the girls mother.
 They came over to the track in which I stood and drawing me out he said: Here is exactly what you want, miss; there is not finer wheel in the city. Look at that frame, good and strong, beautifully finished. Light weight, just lift it. not 25 pounds. ell the bearings turned from tool steel--" The girls pretty face was study as she looked me up and down in an anxious effort to find the different parts to which the manager referred so glibly.
 "I like it." she said at length, "dvn't you, mother? You see,' turnipS to the man, 'I have been about 2 snonth try ing to buy wheel. thought it would be quite easy, but ws have had dread ful time. Besides having gone to about 20 places ourselves we have had at least 30 agents, who heard we wanted a wheel, come after us, and the most puzzling part of it all is that each one says all the others are perfectly worth less. So mother and 1 made up our minds to give them all the slip, and that is why we came here this morning. Let us take this wheel, mother"
 The mother approached me, tried to look critical, gave me gentle shake, and said:
 "Well, 1t seems to be good strong one. do hope you won't haveIany ac- cidents"
 That very afternoon l was sent to my