The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-10-10
JEFF'S BICYCLE.
Herald.

"Oh. wish | had bicycle" said
jeff Brady. Every other boy in the
world has one"
1t seemed 80 to jeff. Bicycles we're
as plenty as blackberries in the village
where he lived; but his mother could
not afford to buy one for him. Once or
twice he had borrowed one of another
boy and ridden for few minutes, and
it did seem splendid sport; but boys
who have wheels want them themselves,
and are not apt to lend them often.
So poor jeff had nothing to do when
vacation came Tor thought he had not)
but to sit on fence in the road and
watch the wheels fly by. and wish and
wish that he had one himself. Mean
while his poor mother stitched away on
her machine, and many time wished
that her boy was within call so that she
could ask him to draw pail Of water or
| go Of an errand.
Poor boy. il only his father had
lived, he would have everything he
wanted" she used to say.
But jeff never remembered that he
might be wanted at home. He just sat
there wishing; and almost every day an
old gentleman who wore white linen
suit and big Panama hat used to rein
in his horse as he rode up from the
station, look at him and laugh, and drive
on again. One afternoon, however, he
stopped a little longer, and beckoned
the boy to him.
"Come here" he said, what is your
name, my boy?'
Jefferson Brady. sir" said the boy.
"And what are you always doing on
the fence there?" said the old gentle
man.
"Oh. nothing. Only just watching
the Bikes" said Jeff, his face turning
pink.
"And wishing you had one yourself,
eh?"
How did you know" asked jeff.
II thought So" said the old gentleman.
Now. my boy. did you ever hear the
proverb. If wishes we're horses, beggars
would rider"
mo, SIR" said jeff.
Nov I'll tell you another thing. A
good, strong, healthy boy can make
horses of his wishes"
II don't know what you mean. sir, ~
said jeff.
when you want thing, go to work
for it. Don't sit on a fence and wish
for it."
II just wish any one would tell me
how to work for bicycle" jeff said
feeling angry.
"Well, boy" said the old gentleman, II
can. 1 shouldn't have spoken to you il
that had not been in my mind. School
is shut. and suppose you have your va
cation now. So if you will work, you
can earn bicycle before school opens
again. Then he handed him card with
the name "Lavalle" upon it. Take that
and bring it to me at the address upon it,
down in town." he said. "I'll give you
| WOIh yOu Cnu w, duu 81 huCA Wooh.
l know what boys are. So I'll only give
you little change as you go along, and
the whole sum, enough to buy bicycle,
l promise you at the end Of vacation
Ill show you where to get good stout
one cheaper than you could yourself
How do you like the ideaP"
JEFF liked it amazingly, and his mo-
ther was greatly pleased; and the next
day found him busy in Mr.. Lavalles es-
tablishment. where tropical fruit of all
sorts was received from the South, and
sold to grocers and small dealers. jeff
had many things to do, and was busy
all day; and, as he worked, his wish for
his bicycle made him do his best in order
to please his employer.
He understood. too, what it was to
work. and used to get up in the morn
ing and split kindling wood, or bring in
wash-water or put up the clothes-line
for his mother. In great many ways
he helped her great deal more than he
ever had; and she was delighted to think
that he could have wheel, like the
other boys.
However, as school-days drew near, he
did not say quite as much about that as
before; and. when the day came or
which he was to receive his money, and
Mr.. Lavalle paid him. and gave him q
note to some one who would deal liber
ally with him when he bought his wheel
the boy. after thanking him. said:
"Mr. Lavalle, wouldy you be angry with
me if, after all. did not buy bicycle?'
That depends" said Mr.. Lavalle
TELL me all about it."
WELL" said jeff. Its not that DOM
want the bike, but I've been thinking
It's good deal of money to spend fol-
my own fun. Mother was saying mus
have some new clothes to go to schoo
in; and 1 ought to buy them myself
And then l can take the rest, and put
her in ton of coal. She'd feel so SAFE
and comfortable for winter, and l guess
I'll do better to do it; for, now I've got
into the way of working. I'm sure to carr
what l want in time"
"All right. my boy" said Mr.. Lsvalle
you've got the right idea. Buy the
| clothas and the eoal and almava ha ooor