The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1896-08-28
A PUNCTURED TIRE.

] defy anyone to produce more per
feet specimen of the bicycle kind thai
] was when l left the manufacturers
on beautiful May morning just tw,
months ago. You can find my descrip
ton in any of the little books distrib
uted by our firm, and should you lool
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 jour
ney took was when left my native
city and was shipped with many com
panions to Washington.
/ liked this beautiful capital city of
yours, and longed for spin on the
smooth asphalt pavements, but it
seemed for a time that was doomed
to disappointment.
I was taken TO the bicycle school,
where 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 / had no part, 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 a brick wall.
with the rider screaming: Instructor!
Instructor! Help!" Those were risky
tricks, though, for you stood an even
chance of getting hurt yourself
Day after day watched these sights
until l was weary of it all, and beyond
making firm resolution to throw my
self down precipice before descend
ing to such work. did nothing for sew
eral weeks. At last one beautiful morn
ing-I remember well it was May 10
the manager of the place came in the
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
] stood and drawing me cut he said:
Here is exactly what you want, miss;
there is not a finer wheel in the city.
Look at that frame. good and strong,
beautifully finished. Light weight, just
lift it. not 25 pounds. all the bearings
turned from tool steel" The girls
pretty face was study as she looked
me up and down in an anxious effort
10 find the different parts to which the
manager referred so chilly.
81 like it," she said at length, don't
you, mother? You see," turning to the
man, 81 have been about a month try
ing to buy a wheel. thought it would
be quite easy, but we have had a dread
full time. Besides having gone to about
20 places ourselves we have had at least
20 agents, who heard we wanted
wheel, come after us, and the most
puzzling part of it all is that each one
says ali 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 as take this wheel. mother"
The mother approached me, tried TO
cook critical, gave me gentle shake.
snd said:
"Well. it seems to be good strong
one. do hope you won't have any ae-
cidents.-
That very afternoon was sent to my