Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-11
AT THE RACE MEET

1t was evidently the first bicycle race
meet she had ever attended The people
who were in her immediate vicinity made
this deduction long before the first race
had started. and at the conclusion of the
last race departed more firmly convinced
than ever that this was the case She af-
forded plenty Of fun for the occasion by
her Innocent queries.
Most likely IL was her best fellow that
brought her. The pair came into the grand
stand and took seats near the front row.
1t was fully half an hour before the meet
started. and the intervening time was
spent by some OF the racing men in riding
around the track. getting warmed up for
the work that was expected OF them.
''Oh. George" calculated the young lady.
after they had been seated for about the
space OF minute what is that stand
over there used for?"
That's the judges stand" replied the
young man.
''Oh. yes" returned she: they Judge the
people in the grand stand, and give the
reporters the names of all the prominent
People. 1 hope they will spy u.s."
No. no; that is where the officials stay
who determine the man that wins the
race" replied George. gently.
I'm sorry for that" said the fair young
lady. Say, George. wouldn't that be a
good place to take a photograph of the
grand stand and all OF the people? I wish
some of those camera fiends would take
a snap shot"
Yes" was the reply. why. certainly.
We are in the front row and ought to take
a good picture"
George. is my hat on straiehty' inter-
rogated she, glancing apprehensively at
the stand half expecting TO find a camera
pointing at her.
There was silence for a few moments
and then she began again.
That's where the men race. out on the
nice wide road?' she ventured, inferrog-
atively.
That's the track. It's not road" re-
piled the escort.
What are those hills for on both sides?"
THAT is the banking" replied the young
man.
What is that?' she innocently inquired.
ITO let the riders make the curve with
more speed" was the reply. and then the
young man started In to explain the why
and wherefore. She nodded her head as IL
she understood all. and when he had fin
ished she remarked:
ITS a wonder to me that some of the
riders don't fall or their wheels there"
He made no reply.
George, have you any chewing gum"
was the next question
He had, and gave her a package. She
was quiet for several minutes.
Where do the riders start?" asked she.
AT the tape. in front of u.s.
Il don't see any tape" replied she,
stretching her neck.
He showed her the small piece. and she
seemed disappointed.
why do they call it taper"
Because it is tape" was all he could
answer.
Il wonder why they don't use something
else but tape?" said she.
Silence for five minutes.
''Oh, George. who is that cute little fell
low in whittier" pointing to one of the rae
ers out on the track.
George did not know.
Hes just too cute for anything, He
will win everything. l am sure.
George. that man over there said that
II Moran got the pole he would beat
It really couldn't say" replied he
What does Moran want with pole. I'd
like to know. I'll bet he wants to throw
Schade of his wheel"
That's a track term" said he.
"a track term; what's THAR
He told her in detail.
What's the pole. George?"
That's the position next to the inside OF
the track"
whats a position"
ITS the location rider gets at the
start. The lowest-numbered man starts
from the pole. and the highest-numbered
man gets on the outside of the track"
why do they number the mem"
''Oh. for a number OF reasons" And he
proceeded to tell her why.
why don't the men race up and down
that place." indicating with her hand the
infield.
Because there is no track
novice race. and she was deeply interested.
The starter fired his gun. and the men be-
gan Dedaling.
volver?'
ITO start the men,
Couldn't they start without firing a re-
volver' 1t scares me-.
II suppose SO"
Just then some Of the riders came to-
gether on the back stretch, and there was
a SPILL
'.Oh, isn't that delightful Is that part of
the race?" she asked Of George.
Several of the riders were carried of the
track across the infield and into the train
ing quarters in an apparent unconscious
condition. The other riders who were not
mixed up in the spill finished the race.
What is a SPILL GeorgeT she sweetly
asked.
THAT is when the riders fall on their
wheels as they did in this race
Don't you think spill pretty?' she
ventured 10 ask.
No reply.
silence for about ten minutes. Close finish
of mile open: almost dead heat
That's mean" she said. Both of them
men ought to get first prize 1t doesn't
seem fair to give only one the first prize"
George" she inquired. after a few mo-
ments' rest, what Is a dead heatT"
1T IL when two men finish exactly even"
"Oh. don't you know 1 have learned q
whole lot today. Those bicycle terms are
worse than base ball"
She kept up a running fire of questions
for the next half an hour and George was
tired. A friend who spied them came over
for a few moments. and George took ad-
vantage of the opportunity and slipped
away for q rest. He returned just rs the
last race was being run on. and after IL
they left tho grand stand.
81 do declare" said she In her sweetest
tones. II know all about bicycle racing
now"
Sunday at Sec.
Frosa Life.
Smith: Did many Of the passengers 60
to hear DR. Fourthly preach I'm the main