Evening star., 1896-12-12
oday Genuine Diamonds to Soe Flowers

his snowy white beard and hair was stream
ing in the wind. He was accompanied by
miss, whose age was perhaps sixteen
years, dressed in short skirts and stylish
waist Of bright colors. The two rode all
the way down the avenue from the treas
ury to the. Capitol and during that time
most surprising thing was the ease and
grace with which the aged man rode, and
at Capitol Hill, one of the steepest grades
In the city, he rode up slowly and easily.
He did not show the least exertion. The
young lady was forced to walk up.
The little crank-pin key, or Cotter pin, as
some people call it. is regarded by some
cyclists as the greatest nuisance on a wheel
and of late attention has been turned by
the manufacturers to substitute some other
system to take their place. These pins
connect the crank shaft with the crank
axle. and after being driven in place, are
held more firmly by the screwing of a DIT
When the bearings work loose in the crank
axle. which makes very disaSreeable pedal
ing, the crank-pin key mas to be taken out
before the bearings can be frightened. The
same operation has to be gone through be-
1ere the balls can be taken out and the
ball cups cleaned. In the old wheels the
CCtter pin was used on both crank shafts
but of late the manufacturers have adopted
continuous piece which serves for one
crank shaft and the crank axle necessi-
tating but onespin and that on the sprocket
side. There are other wheels on the mar
ket in which the crank-pin key has been
done away with entirely, to the great sat
isfaction of the riders.
The best plan Of getting the pin out is to
unscrew the nut and hit the pin sharn
quick blow with hammer. This generally
eislodges the pin. but oftentimes fails, and
additional strokes must be given. In driv-
ing the pin out support of some kind
should be placed beneath the frame under
the crank axle to prevent straining the
entire frame Of the machine. Additional
care should be taken in hitting the pin. as
too many blows are apt to fatten the
threed, and render 1t useless for screw
ing on the nut again. Use a piece of hard
wood over the thread, and then the ham
mer can be employed freely. If wood does
not do piece of lead will answer the pur-
pose. Some concerns use rawhide ham
mer for the purpose. and with this there
is no danger of hurting the thread. no
matter how much strength Is put in the
blow.
One of the Queerest cycles used in the
city is operated by Deacon" Williams.
well-known ,colored employe. of a local
cycle house, who works at cycling during
the week and breaches the gospel on Sum
days. Deacon has perhaps taught more
prominent people to ride than any other
individual. and his many years experience
with cycling shops and schools makes him
an enthusiastic wheelman He has intro
duced cycling in his family, and his chill
dren being too snall1 to ride he has con-
structed cycle upon which he gives them
an outing. the machine Is regular tri.
cycle. with two large wheels and q yerv
small front wheelT Over the front wheel .
platform of woods has been Constructed.
and on this threel little chairs have been
placed. which areo occupied by the chill
dran. In the center IT the group there is
small space in which the diminutive dog
or the deacon" Is given a place. and
ne appears to enjoy the ride as much as
the children. Th8t tdeacon' himself is
nearly six feet in height, Of massive build-
and he furnishes. theI power. oyertonnins
the family group like'Ja giant The whole
makes unique appearance, to the de-
light ana qualification of the proud IA
ther. is
This is perhaps atheo best season of any
during the year ~ which to renovate the
bicycle. There afe many riders who do
not feel able to purchase q new wheel every
season. and must make the old one do.
With very little repairing and patching q
machine can be made to last for some time
though the average life of the tires har1iIv
exceeds two years. II the nickeIin0 has
become rusty and the enamelin1 peeled AZ
In spots the whole can be fixed IN at q
small cost. The nickelng can be done at
this season OF the year much cheaper than
at any other time. and the same with the
enameling. The cost OF the whole 10 COM
paratiyely light. II new tires are needed
they can be bought and put on by the rider
himself with the expenditure Of about ten
or fifteen cents for cement New pedals
can be put on, and the whole machine
made to look like new. at cost ranging
from ten to twenty-five dollars the latter
cost embracing complete renickeling and
re-eramelinS. with new tires, pe<ials anfI
other acceesorteas and Q thorough over