The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-11-04

trapezc, or the balloon, gradually y
worked its way and from n toy has
come at length to be as practical for
everyday use ms the old fashioned
horse and buggy. Possibly there are
now in actual use more bicycles than
pleasure carriages of every descrip-
tion, and the bicycle has come TO be a
necessity Of the civilization Of our
day. Its almost universal use in this
country is matter of general remark,
and while Mt first the demand for il
was regarded ns ''crnze" or "fad, F"
which would shortly die out, when
some new "fad" was started, the de-
mand continues to grow, not only
here, but throughout the civilized
world, and presently, IL would seem,
the one of either sex who does
not ride tho wheel will DO the ex-
ception, like the one in these days
who never rides tho trolley or
travels by railroads. It's use
has also extended to the army, MS was
noticed more than year ago, when
some of our commanders tested its
availability for the Transmission of
dispatches from one army post to an
other. In France IL was adopted for
this purpose some years ngo, and now
we learn that IL is being tested for use
by combatants. To do away with the
objection that the bicycle can only bo
used where there are roads, and good
roads at that, n folding bicycle has
been invented, which in few seconds
the rider can fold mp and pack upon
his back when he comes to bad piece
of road or has n field to cross, and
with his rillo in hand may fight ns n
foot soldier very moderately bur
dened. Regulations have also been
adopted providing for tho drill of
riders Sin detachments as scouts or
rapid marching partisans," and thus
"tho fighting wheelman" is expressly
recognized. A folding cycle similar
to that Of the French one has also
been under trial for the Austrian army.
1t is described as small ear.driving
safety machine weighing little under
thirty-one pounds, with pneumatic tires
and an ordinary saddle, so constructed
that one wheel closes upon tho other,
and 80 folded that tho rider can sling
it upon his back and carry it without
Inconvenience, leaving both his hands
free to handle his rifle. When riding
there is n contrivance near the axle OF
the front wheel for holding the rifle in
a vcrticlo position. In the German
army there is n regular system OF
training the men for the use of the bi-
cycle, and the practice with it is kept
up throughout the winter. In connec.
ton with the wheel practice there ia
also system of training in the build
ing and repair of the machines, the
disposition of weights, the carrying OF
the rifle and revolver, the precautions
to be taken with regard to heat and
cold, and to the care and cleaning OF
the machine. So, also, during the re-
cent military manoeuvres in England
II bicycle carrying telegraph instru.
ment which can run type writer and
n reel of five miles OF fine, flexible
wire, with relays of reels extending
the service, 80 that one wheel carries
thirty miles of telegraph wire and the
operating machine, the wire unwind
ing by the rotation of the rear wheel
of the bicycle.
From this it will be learned that
the wheel has already become prac.
tical thing for army operations as well
as for pleasure aud business, and that
instead OF disappearing from use upon
the introduction of some new "fad" oil
"crazc," it has in all probability be
come,a permanent adjunct to our civil
lization. Possibly in short time We
shall see our troops mounted OIL
wheels-or at least corps of wheel
men trained for special duty, as scouts
or Aankers, performing their evolu.
tions on our streets, and quite as
much at home on their wheels as the
cavalry on their horses, and capable
of rendering service quite as effective.
Trenton, IN J. American.
Why They DO Not Own Their Houses.