The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-04-19
, BICYCLE ISLAND. !.

nearly every morning for four years. ]
glanced over the morning paper, and
among other things noticed an advertise.
mont Of q summer resort called Bicycle
Island. After had finished reading the
paper sat idly looking out Of the window
thinking about the island mentioned In
the advertisement. when noticed that the
country through which we were passing
did not look natural. The train was due
at Lawrence in five minutes. But instead
Of the familiar river with the mills on tho
opposite bank, I saw wide expanse Of
water with no land in sight except large
island three or four miles distant.
looked around the car and was sur.
prised 10 find myself alone, with the ex-
ception of young lady who sat in the
forward end Of the car. Very soon heard
the conductor call out: "Ocean Station
This train goes no fartheri' As stepped
from the train heard voice on the shore
calling, "Tbis way for Bicycle island"
Well, 1t seemed that my opportunity to see
this island about which had read had
come sooner than ! expected.
found on questioning the conductor
that tho train did not return to the city
for five hours. So hurried down to the
shore, where found the young lady, my
travelling companion, already seated in the
ferryboat, which was really bicycle boat.
The ferryman sat astride bicycle In the
middle OF the boat, the propelling power
being large paddles underneath, which
were connected with the pedals of the bi.
cycle. .-.
On the way to the island had very
pleasant chat with the young lady. I
found that her name was Grace Edwards,
and that she had the dread disease, bicy.
olosis, and was going to the island for
weeks vacation to reouperate. The moro
talked with her the more fascinated !
became, and by the time we reached our
destination had decided that I would ask
her to marry Inc. could not understand
It, but seemed possessed with an insane
desire to make this girl my wife.
AS we neared the island saw that the
place was literally alive with bicycles.
People Of all ages were riding. Not sin.
gle person could see walking. There
were no horses-man was the only motive
power.
asked Miss Edwards II she would ride
with me.
with pleasure" she said.
"Shall we take our first ride this after.
noonp"
Eyes; about 8 O'Clock"
3 Aswe stepped from the boat we were
met by man who had in charge row Of
bicycles. There are several kinds from
which to choose, and was lucky enough
to find the exact counterpart Of my own
wheel. After adjusting the saddles and
handlebars to suit us we mounted and rode
to the hotel
We were just in time for dinner, so, as
Miss Edwards was alone, l asked permits.
sion to dine with her. I still adhered to
my determination to make her my wife,
so while we ate dinner laid the case be.
fore her and told her that although had
known her 80 short time was very much
in love with her and begged her to marry
me. To my surprise she consented and
said she had liked mo from the very first.
"Why not be married this afternoonp"
said, "and then we can spend the honey.
moon right here on the island.'
At first she would not consent to this,
but finally overruled her objections, and
she said she would do whatever thought
best.
I found, on questioning the proprietor of
the hotel, that there was minister stay
ing there 60 the last objection to our mar.
riage was removed. hunted him up and |
found him just starting Off for ride, but |
when / had introduced myself and told |
him what wanted he offered to postpone !
his trip till later, and when he found that |
we both rode the same kind Of wheel he
was more willing than ever to do me the |
favor I asked. Well, the wedding took
place that afternoon in the parlor of tho
hotel, all the other guests being present to
witness the ceremony. 1t was bicycle
wedding in every respect, as every one
wore bicycle suits, even the bride and
groom.
After 1t was over and we had received the
of the whole party / sug-
gested that we take the little ride we had
planned while coming over in the boat.
Grace was eager to show me the heauties
IL her dear island, so we went down stairs
after our wheels. The man In the check
room informed lis that we could have q
If we preferred. So we decided to
ny it,
The island was covered with labyrinth
If roads, hard and smooth enough to de.
light wheelman 8 breast, and 1t was per-
eot bliss to roll swiftly along, stopping
low and then to inspect some interesting
pot or view fine bit of scenery.
NOW, must show you the cliff" said
Trace, looking toward the northern end of
he island. When coming over in the boat,
had noticed that at that particular point
huge mass of rock stood out in bold re-
lief, 80 or more feet above the water, with
he waves dashing abruptly against its
,ase.
From the place where we were standing
he road lay straight and smooth before
IS, extending almost to the very edge of
no cliff, where it turned abruptly, follow
ng the other shore back to the hotel. We
tarted off toward the cliff, nrd as 1t was
lightly down grade we were soon going
Ike the wind AS we neared the cliff, 1
iscovered that my handle bar seemed to
9 stuck In the tubing, and 1t was impos.
lblo to steer the machine. I told Grace
hat she would have to do the steering as
could not move my handle bar.
why, my handlebar is stuck too" she
reclaimed. What can be the matter with
he old machine anyway Let's use the
rake and dismount"
There is no brake" replied.
We were approaching nearer and nearer
ne cliff and were going so fast that 1t was
npossible to get off tho wheel. I tried
arder than ever to turn the handle bar,
ut it absolutely refused to move.
If we could not get around the curve in
'me way, we would surely go over the
lgc, and at least get a ducking. did
ot think there was any danger of drown
lg, as was pretty good swimmer and
could keep Grace clear from the wheel
could easily swim with her around to
lie other shore
"Graco, If VIC go over, let go the Wheel" ,
shouted. Just then we reached the edge,
I'd l shut my eyes, expecting every Sec /
Id to feel the cold tyater around mo :