The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-08-29
/ A Punctured Tire.


And so at length Mr.. Meredith, who had
been doing the waiting TO perfection, had
Bessie come 10 him with the glad news
that she could ride splendidly now, and
couldp't they make up some parties and
go out on the road. Then we had several
very pleasant rides. Occasionally there
would be quito crowd, but very often
only four-Bessie with Mr.. Meredith and
Bob relegated TO her chum, Miss Grey,
who really was beautiful rider.
did not like this arrangement, as Mr.
Meredith rode one Of those gaudy, conspic-
uous affairs that no really nice wheel
would wish 20 be seen with In the street,
but Bessie and were quite friendly about
that time and / was trying to please her
BY giving as little trouble ns possible.
Before long Bessie became convinced OF
the idea thet she was famous rider and
suggested that we all take trip out to
Cabin John Bridge 1 heard Bob advise her
TO try shorter run first, but then Mr.. Mere
dith came up and said 10 would be delight
full and Of course Hiss Bessie could do IL
easily, there wasn't better rider In the
city, and he fixed on the next day for the
trip.
The next day dawned clear and warm,
and we set out about 4:30 o'clock. must
admit that Bessie looked rs pretty as pic
ture in her dainty suit with its many but
tons and jaunty cap. Before we started
Bob camo up TO me, as he always did, TO
see that all my parts were secure and firm
and that no pebbles or bits of dirt were
scratching against my chain. He did not
look particularly pleased over the trip, and
indeed I fully agreed with him that 1t was
far too long for Bessie to attempt
At length we were spinning merrily
along. l was determined to act my best,
so took the lead, with TINT circus wheel OF
Mr.. Meredith's, leaving Bob and Miss
Grey Co follow. All went well for about
four miles, and then Bessie began to weak
ell. She was tired. very tired, rs could
easily tell by the feeble way she pushed on
my pedals, but sho was determined not to
give up before Mr.. Meredith and own Bob
right. oh, no!
Suddenly she gave a cry, something be-
tween gasp and n scream. "Oh, look
In front of us-see that drove Of cowsP'
"They won't hurt you," said Mr.. Mere
dith In a superior way. "Come on"
"But my wheel-it always--always
shies at cows" gasped poor Bessie.
Mr.. Meredith's lip curled. II really
can't face those cows" said Bessie again
between gasps. Leila, come and ride in
front Then you and MIR. Meredith can run
into them first. "
gladly slowed up In pursuance Of this
idea, for Bessie was too tired to have the
slightest control over me, and dropped be-
hind with Bob.
Bessie, you are tired to DEATH, he ex-
claimed injudiciously.
"I'm not" replied Bessie, furious at
once "But I'm afraid of those COWS
Wait till you see how this wheel shiesp'
"Keep 1t pointed straight, and believe
1t will go by all right" said Bob sooth-
ingly. Let us get of and rest, am as
tired as''-
"No 1 won't get of. I'm not bit
tired"
"Take the center of tho road then, said
Bob, as we neared tho meek looking COWS.
"They can't hurt you; I'm on their side.
Don't go up on that path or you'll get
puncture sure.
That gave me an idea. Bessie was tired
out and too proud TO own It. She wonld
certainly fall Off II she did not get down In
a few minutes. A puncture would be an
excellent excuse for resting Then, again,
she had said twice that SHE'D at cows
well, l would mako her words true.
Without further hesitation / ran down
n little incline In the road and made for
the bypath Bob had warned us Of
Crunch, crunch, biff A slivery feeling
along my tire, an agonizcd cry from Bes-
sic. "Oh, Bob, Bobi Look told youP'
In moment Bob was beside us and had
lifted her to tho ground.
"Your tire is punctured," he said brief
ly wait n minute, let me think what
to do"
/ felt personal interest in the affair,
so let my breath go out as slowly as pos
sible until at length Bob said, II have
itr' and pulling out his knife he ripped
puncture In his own tire that put mine to
shame. Then he shouted To Meredith aud
Miss Grey, who came flying back.
what Is the natter" they cried.
"We both got In bad bit here" said
Bob, land have punctures In consequence
Will you two ride on to Cabin John and
send something after uss"
"Yes, / guess we had better go on. No
use of our all losing the ride, you know"
said Mr.. Meredith, hut Miss Grey would
not agree TO that, SO they finally decided
TO ride back TO Bessie's home and send the
carriage after her.
And then OF they went, and Bessie
who was utterly exhausted, began TO cry n
little, and Bob found a cool place under
the trees and was trying to comfort her,
much TO my interest, when / suddenly
discovered that was slipping from whore
Bessie had insecurely stood me up beside
a tree.
Down, down went, until seeing nico
soft spot 1 fell over on my sido and lay
there contcntedly for about an hour
i was arouscd by Bob's voice hailing n
farmer driving by In wagon. After some
talk the man agreed to take them I'm town.
"Why, where Is your wheelf" / heard
Bob say.
Isn't 10 against thSS'blg trec9 put it
there about ten minutes ago, said Bessie,
and her voice sounded strangely happy.
Then Bob went looking round until he
found me, and having ascertained that he
yord the debated tire had no injuries, he
packed me- with his own wheel, In the cart,
and then nc ard Bessie climbed In by us
AS we drove slowly toward town heard
Bob say I'm low voice:
"We will hnve to get tandem, now,
Bessie, dear" and she answered: