The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-08

wheels like country rail fence, some
time this afternoon"
Perhaps" said Scott, rather absent
ly. Jimmy, take this wheel and give
1t a good cleaning and then take it to
the little room under the grand stand
and take care of it until 1 call for it
after the races"
"Ah, ha! a lady's Wheel" said At
kinson. "Oh, the story's out, Scott.
Were all ready to send in our con-
gratulations."
Thanks" said Scott. carelessly.
you might as well present them now,
for l propose to win the handicap"
Out on the track, a sextette, two
quads and several triplets and tandems
circled around under the watchful
eyes of the officials, who carefully noted
the action of the riders and the skill
with which they handled the machines.
Around and around they went, sailing
over the track with scarcely an effort
visible on the part of the riders, as
the impetus of thoroughly trained
limbs propelled the wheels in a power
full, gliding motion that was fascinat-
ing to watch. It was difficult to real
ize that in a short time single riders
would be following in the wake of the
vacuum of those machines, striving to
lower records already a testimony of
speed and endurance.
1t was half-past one. Already the
grand stand, which had yawned in emp
tiness all the morning in front of the
track, began to show signs of anima-
tion in the advance guard of those who
did not hold reserved seats, and who
came early to avoid the proverbial
rush. The inevitable crowd of hangers
on for any sporting event were on hand
as usual, and the marshals began to
| keep a watchful eye. The band arrived
and made preliminary essays at the
! popular but hackneyed tunes that were
! supposed to enliven the events. The
| flags over the judges stand fluttered
| gayly in the breeze. A whiff of salt air
| from the bay drifted over the course.
| The grand stand was filling rapidly
now, and groups began to appear in the
| boxes. The hour for the races was
close at hand, and the track was clear
and every man was in his quarters,
while the judges stand was filled.
| There was an air of excitement that
| was all pervasive. Directly in front of
the long row of boxes opposite the
! judges stand about two score Of news
| paper men busily prepared to send the
news to their papers. Typewriters
clicked and two telegraph wires flashed
messages incessantly.
1t was but few minutes before the
| signal for the first race that Josephine
and several friends were escorted to a
box in the center of the circle by the
donor of one of the trophies.
| "One-mile scratch, professional. -
read the girl with the red roses on her
hat. How funny! What does Scratch
mean? 1t sounds awfully pugilistic.'
Josephine was the authority for the
occasion, and she rose nobly to the sit
uation.
"That means that all the men are on
the tape when the pistol is fred
II wish / knew as much as you, "
said the girl in the buff top-coat 1T
seems perfectly wonderful to under
stand such things. 1t seems more fas.
cinating than whist. I'm sure-I be-
gin to understand it all. I'm so glad
| came BY the way, here's the name OF
Nelson Scott entered in the five-mile
| handicap. He is your friend, is he not
hear he is an awfully nice fellow, II
he is a racing man."
Josephine flushed. 'Is there any rea,
son." she began, rather hotly, when
the sharp crack Of a pistol announced
the first event. and a cheer went ur
from the grand stand as the racers
started.
1t was a one-mile affair, and as the
racers circled around the track, striv-
ing for supremacy, amid the music OF
the band and the applause of the spec
tators, it was evident that the meet
had started under the most auspicious
conditions. Race after race was run
off smoothly. There was but little to
mar the afternoons sport. Every man