The Coconino weekly sun., 1896-01-02

SIEALlNu MD OWN blS1ClE.
that rose between him and his destina-
ton. had little idea at the time that
] was making trouble for that I'M
known stranger, and l hope he will &C.
cept my apologies if this recital should
chance to meet his eye.
The policeman overlook him near the
top of the hill, and, with the craft that
distinguishes all continental officials,
they said nothing, but followed him I'M
til he reached Interlaken, where, in
spite of his protestations. they arrested
him on the charge of stealing his own
bike. The man was justly indignant.
and showed them his customs receipt
from the French government, ind it
was no use; they knew they had the
right man, and they telephoned to Thun
for the owner of the machine to come to
Interlaken on the next steamer and
identify his property. This took a few
hours, and when they let the poor man
go, he was exceedingly hungry and
angry, swearing he was going to bring
an action against the Swiss authorities,
as if that would do any good.
Meanwhile, had reached the top of
the railway funicular and I bicycled the
mile or more along the street, high up
above the lake, on one side of which is
scattered the village of st. Bentenburg,
with it's wonderful view of the snow
mountains--thc Jungfrau, the Eiger.
the Monch and a host of others.
lfound the ride down the zig-zag road
not such fun as I had expected. I saw
the brake was not going to last if kept
| on, so had to walk most of the way
| down. Coming to a more level ground,
I cycled gently into Interlaken, making
for the place where they sell Munich
beer, and there, over a mug and sand
witch, on the main street, made fru-
gal lunch with the bicycle standing
against a pillar of the veranda.
After Il smoke, l proceeded out Of
Interlaken, and took the south road that
borders the lake. This road is not so
good for cycling as the other, being
much more hilly, while the roadbed is
more stony. l therefore walked good
deal, taking it very leisurely, and in
| course of time I was overtaken by a
policeman who also was walking with
his machine. He asked me If had met
a man on bicycle coming from Thun,
and told him quite truly that had not.
He seemed discouraged, and told me all
about the bicycle theft and the arrest
of the wrong man. He feared the thief
mad hidden in the forest until he and his
comrade went past, and then perhaps
| took the steamer across the lake; or
the villain might merely have pretended
to take the north road, while in reality
he went by the south. Thus the police
man hoped to meet him yet. prom
Used to keep a lookout, and the officer
went on.
When I reached Thun, and came to
the place where I got the bicycle,
found the man was in Interlaken, and
his wife, who knew all about the rob
berry, was amazed to see the thief re.
turn the machine and place five francs
and his thanks on the counter.
| Iregret to say that the apparent hon.
esty of this action did not commend
itself to the authorities. They looked
Oh it as the ruse of crafty scoundrel
who realized that, SO vigilant were the
police, it was impossible for him to es.
cape, and so endeavored to throw dust
in the eyes of the wise men of the place
. Thus the bicycle at five francs day
} was not SO cheap as had at FIRST sup
! posed.-Detroit Free Press.