The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-11-18
REFLEt,TioNs ON RIDING.
The Bicycle and the Horse and the Differ
ence between Them.


ealoe between Them
The writing Of this paper has been in
SPIKED by a debate recently held at the lit
erary society OF my native town on the
question, Resolved That the bicycle is "a
ncbler animal than the horse. In order
90 speak for the negative with proper au-
thority, have spent some weeks in com
plotely addicting myself To the use OF the
horse. I find that the difference between
tie horse and the bicycle is greater than
had supposed.
The horse IS entirely covered with hair
The bicycle is not entirely covered with
hair, except the 1899 model they are using
IA Jayviile-
In riding horse the performer finds
that the pedals in which he puts his feet
wiz not allow Of q good circular stroke.
He win observe, however that there is a
saddle In Which-especially while the
horse IS trotting-he is expected to seat
himself from time to time But it is sim
pier to ride standing up with the feet in
she pedals
There are no handles to a horse, but the
1896 model has string to each side of its
face for turning its head when there is
anything you want il to see.
Coas1ng on good horse is superb, but
should be under control. I have known q
horse to suddenly begin to coast with me
about two miles from home, coast down
the main street Of my native town at a
terrific rate, and finally coast through a
platoon Of the Salvation Army into it's liv-
cry stable
cannot honestly deny that is takes a
good deal of physical courage to ride
horse This, however, I have. ret it at
about 40 cents a task, and take it as re-
quired-
md that IN riding horse up the long
street Of country town it is not well to
proceed at a trot. 1t excites unkindlv
comment It is better 20 let the horse
walk the whole distance. This may be
MADE 30 seem natural by turning half
round Ia the saddle, with the hand on the
horses back, and gazing intently about
Two miles up the road 1t then appears
shat you are she first IN of about IA men
Since learning to ride I have taken to
noticing the things that people doo on horse
back In books. Some Of these 1 can man
age, but most Of them are entirely beyond
ma Here. for Instance, Is a form Of eQues-
trian performance that every reader will
recognize and for which I have only de-
Gpairing admiration;
with q hasty gesture of farewell the
rider set spurs to his horse and disappeared
IN q cloud of dust ="
With a little practice in the matter of
adjustment, I think I could set spurs to
any size Of horse, but could never disap-
pear In a cloud Of dust-at least not with
any guarantee Of remaining disappeared
when the dust cleared away.
Here, however, is one that certainly
can do:
1.-THE bride rein dropped from Lord
Everard's hstless hand. and with his head
bowed upon his bosom he suffered his
horse TO move at q foot's pace up the som
Der avenue. Deep in thought he heoded
not the movement of the steed which bore
him "
That IS, he looked as if he didn It, but in
my case Lord Everard has his eye on the
Bteed pretty closely just the same.
This next / am doubtful about:
To horse, TO horsep cried the knight
and ieaped into the saddle. -
think could manage it If it read:
TO horssP cried the knight, and
.snatohing q stepladder from the hands Of
his trusty attendant, he climbed into the
Uaddle -
As concluding remark may mention
shat my experience OF riding has thrown a
very interesting SIDE light upon a rather
pudding point in history. 1T is recorded
OF ths famous Henry II that he was al
most constantly Ia the saddle, and Of 50
restless q disposition shat he never sat
down, even ct meals " had hitherto
5oeoa unable to understand Henry's idea
about his meals, but think I can appre-
lsiate &c now.-Stephen Leacock in Truth