The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-05-29
A BIKE FAIRY TALE.


female independence to her subjects by
going long journeys on her bicycle, I'M
incumbered by any court train. She be-
camo so enthusiastic about female
wheeling that she built three bicycle
tracks. On the first there was a hedge
100 yards thick, Oh tho second pond
100 yards wide, and OH the third a lad
der 100 yards high, and she decreed that
no girl should marry the crown prince
unless she rode her bike through the
hedge, across the pond and up and down
tho ladder. Many girls tried, but all
failed; the crown prince remained sim
gle, and at last the tracks were over
grown with weeds for want of use.
Ono day the queen went out on her
bicycle alone, as usual, and lost her
way. Night camo on, and she was glad
to find shelter i'll lonely cottage where
dwelt woman and her daughter. The
daughter was very beautiful-a wise
woman had foretold that she would ride
over the three tracks and marry the
crown prince, but she had once met q
handsome young huntsman III the for
est and vowed she would never marry
any ono but him, SO sho refused to learn
to bike at all.
The mother was n clever and ambi-
tious woman. She knew the queen at
once by her profile, which was on all
the penny pieces and besides she woro
the great seal OH her finger to prevent
the king from misusing it i'll her abb
sence. But the mother kept her own
counsel and treated the queen as Il
stranger, setting before her tho best
food there was i'll the house for supper.
When the queen had finished her
meal she noticed how lovely the girl
was and said to the mother, els your
daughter fit for anything?'' The woman
replied, "She is the champion lady BIZ
cyclist of tho whole world" ooh, in
deed, " said tho queen, land, pray why
does she not ride over tho three tracks
and win the hand of the crown prince?"
Because" answered the mother, "sho
is too independent to run after any
man. 81 never thought of that" OBJ
served tho queen, and pulling ciga-
rctte out of her case she fell a-smoking.
When tho girl went out to wash up
tho supper things. the queen asked,
Can't you persuade your daughter to
ride over the three tracks just to show
bON W. WOUcu tlIC.
Yes" replied the mother, "but she
must have three things ''Name
them" said the queen. "Sho must have
a pavilion built, opening OH to the
tracks, from which she must start and
to which she must return after each
round, without any one being allowed
to speak to her"
"Why?" asked tho queen because
every man that speaks to her wants her
to speak to him, and she despises such
waste of time" replied tho mother
"Ohl" said tho queen. next she must
have three riding suits, one for each
track, and each suit must have veil to
nutch. for her to wear when she rides. -
'Why?" asked the queen. because
every man who looks at her and sees
how beautiful she is tries to make her
look at him" replied the mother
Hunt" said tho queen. Lastly,
must go with her, and so must her three
uncles.'
"Why?" asked tho queen. Because
she will have to ride so hard that she
will wear out Il bicycle Oh each track,
and she must havo always fresh one
ready, with an uncle to oil it and to
have it i'll good working ORDER
"Ha" said the queen. "Do You
know, my good woman, that 1 am
your rightful sovereign" II never
thought of that replied tho mother.
But it is SO, said the queen, land
command you to bring your daughter to
my three tracks this day week, when
everything you ask for shall be granted. ="
1t shall be as your majesty COM
mands, " replied the woman.
So on day the mother and daughter
started for tho tracks, and the girl
walked first, singing as she went for the
very JOY of life.
Presently they met man riding on a
bicycle with his eyes shut. Good
morning, uncle" cried the girl. But the
woman asked, ''Why do you ride with
your eyes. shut" And the man an
swered, Because am so keen of sight
that l cannot help seeing my way
through the tinicst crack OH tho ground,
and If keep my eyes open should go
down to the very center OF the earth. :"
THAT is good, " said the mother "Will
you help my daughter to win the crown
prince for husband:" THAT will !, >"
said the man, for no girl over called
me uncle before.
Soon they met another man riding a
bicycle with his feet on the forks.
Good morning, uncler' cried the girl.
But tho mother asked, "Why do you
ride with your feet OH the forks?" And
the man answered, Because pedal so
fast that l skim over the ground, and
no one could get out of my way if put
r. A.