Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-09-01
SP|CERK NEELY ANDH|S BIKE
Excitement Attended Its Debut in the
Mccormick Tenements.
Beezie McGuire's Ride on the Roof
Resulted Disastrously for the
Wheel, But Healed a Breach Be-
tween Sweethearts, and There
Will be a Wedding in October

Will % a WeQQlug IN October
New York, August 31.-When Spicel
McNeeley brought a bicycle home te
the Mccormick tenements 1t was the
most exciting event that had occurred
for many day in the neighborhood
Wheels were not unknown to individu.
ais, but this was the first that had ever
come here to stay, and feelings of 10.
cal pride and social elevation mingled
with and added to the natural enthu.
siasm.
When Spicer arrived at the door OF
his home with the wheel his mother
was proud of him, and only deferred an
osculatory demonstration when he ask
ed her to let him alone until he got
his prize into the house. 1t was carried
care fully upstairs and later in the
evening Mrs McNeeley held an infor-
NAL reception for its exhibition. 1t
looked splendid with its bright tires
and shining handle bars as it stood in
the corner, protected from the visit
ors' hands by the red-spotted, gilt
backed sofa
After the curiosity of the many had
been satisfied Mrs. McNeeley's personal
and particular friends remained to dis
cuss cycling and kindred topics.
What mex is it, Mrs McNeeley?"
asked Mrs. Boran, when everybody had
agreed that there was "niver anything
like thot whin we were gyurls."
tits an insthallment Wheel" was the
complacent answer
He'll be wearin' wan of thin funny
suits?" inquired Mrs. Lenahan, medi-
tetively
He will thNt." said Mrs McNeeley,
proudly, "but he'll git stockings that
u1l be stayin' up, I'm thinkin'.''
There was one person in the neigh
borhood who did not share in the gen.
eral rejoicing. This person was Beetle
Mcguire, considered by many the pref
test girl on the block, the daughter OF
Bill Mcguire, a sub-foreman on street
railway construction gang, and a
close friend of the political leader OF
the district. She lived on the first floor
of the Andromache flats, on the other
side of the street The political pres
tige of her father gave her socia,
standing, and her own qualifications
had done the rest.
Miss Mcguire and Spicer were goot
friends last winter: upon such terms
indeed, that Mrs. McNeeley and Mrs
Mcguire nodded and looked consciou!
when their names were coupled at the
! mothers meeting on any cOnvenien
doorstep. But jeaousy and coquetr!
had led to differences and an opeI
quarrel, and at the advent Of the bicy
Gle the two were not on speaking
terms.
The wheel brought her trouble
home to the girl. She liked Spice
and wanted to congratulate him, bu
| she could not be the first to breal
the silence 1t CALLED her when he
companions gleefully announced tina
"Spicer's going to let me learn o
"Ain't that a lovely suit?' and he
heart grew bitter. She made remark
to the effect that 'She couldn't sc
why" but the only result was tn
suggestion that Beetle was jealou:
and serve her right"
One afternoon, long after Spicer ha
| acquired proficiency, r group OF girl
sat on the steps Of the Andromach
fats. Miss Mcguire was the leader IN
til some one turned the conversatio
to bicycles. Then she relapsed in si
ence. and heard the others talk OF how
under Spicer's tutelage. they had &C
quired the art of pedaling withou
being held up.
why don't you learn, Beezie?" ash
ed one.
HIM. | don't care for 1t. Ii isn't
hard. anyway"
'Oh. isn't it?" put in another eye
cant ride, just the same"
The upshot was eight or nine cir
watched until Mrs. McNeeley W;
talking about the ne,ghbors with
friend from the next street, and the
stole into her apartments, took posse
sion of Spicer's wheel, and carried
to the roof of the tenement.
The roof is fat. covered with ia
felt, and slopes gently. Wires az
ropes of many clothes line cross ar
recross. and an OCCASIONAL Gimme
lends solidity to the view. The cir
moved the poles. converting the ro
into safe If somewhat contracted bic,
Gle track. The experts showed Il
ray, and then two or three helpt