Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-18
AT THE FOOT OF THE HILL

Out of curiosity a reporter of The Star
stationed himself at the foot of the Dale
carlia hill the other evening and spent an
enjoyable hour in listening to the general
talk of passing cyclists. Frequently in
passing this point he had heard a number
OF comments from riders in regard to rid
ing uo the hill. The comments were SO
varied that he thought that it would be
amusing to spend some time at the foot
Of the hill and listen to the talk OF the cy-
clists. In no sense of the word could it
be termed eavesdropping, as the scribe
sat on the edge of the road in plain view of
all, and the remarks made by cyclists who
happened to pass by We're in a tone loud
enough to be easily heard.
The hill selected was the second one on
the upward trip. and the reporter seated
himself on the end of the wooden bridge,
spanning an outlet overflow from the re-
ceivlng reservoir, just few yards from
the District line. The seat was taken
Shortly after O'Clock in the evening" and
an hour ard few minutes over quickly
passed by. There appeared to be an un-
usually large Eumber of cyclists out on
tne road, though no tab was kept, much
10 the regret of the writer. Out of the
large number of cyclists of both sexes who
passed only very small percentage rode
the hill, among the number being a rather
| SoohS iduy Will All up-uO-uaIS
costume, including a short skirt and a
par OF golf stockings. A larger percent
age OF riders endeavored to ride UP. but
were forced to dismount at different places
DeLofe reaching the brow of TIE hill.
Hardly had the seat been taken when
three wheelmen came along. Said one CT
the number to another:
Shall we ride the HILL Bin?"
NO; If You fellows want you can. 1 fell
on my wheel yesterday and scraped my
knee; too stiff to push up" was the reply.
m pretty tired myself" said the third
member of the party, SO guess L will
walk UP, too"
And they walked. The trio had not got
beyond the curve of the hill when two
more male riders appeared.
Lets walk the hill' said one to the
other. MY chains rather tight, and if
ride up the hill it might snap
Ihey walked, too. After few minutes
had elapsed young man and a youne
lady appeared in order
w mats the matter with riding up?" in
CURED he In tone that to the reporter
did rot seem to be at all sincere. Il al
ways ride the hill when I am alone II
you get tired before we reach the ton I
can help to push you up
ON, dear me-" replied the young lady.
Il wouldn't think of doing such a thing
prefer to walk and suiting the action
to the word she dismounted And the
incline. Wy 'Ae
Immediately behind them came one lona
| rlder, young man with a loud suit and
still louder stockings, who scorched up the
road at a rafting pace. Crossing the
Driuge at a rafting good clip he started 10
| cnmD the hill. After getting I'D about one
hundred feet the wheel commenced to worJ.
heavy, and before the next fifty feet had
been covered he dismounted and COM
| nlenced to walk
Next came crowd of riders of both
sexes, probably five couples in all. AS il by
| mutual consent they all dismounted at
the foot of the hill and started to walk.
one OF me young ladies' could not let the
opportunity go by.
Last year wher had my wheel rode
this hill with ease" said she, 'but 1 don't
think could do it on this old wreck Ny
last years wheel was 'peacharina'" add
| ed she somewhat gaily. Scarcely had the
party passed the first waterbreak when
party OF four stays came up.
ON, I'M gong to walk the HILL said one.
| Whats the use?" said another
Il am afraid that will bend my cranks."
said third member. They're rather long
and might bend DOUBLE
I've got too high gear said the
fourth rider, lard it makes il too rnuch
IKE work to push up a hill like this The
| result was that three of the party walked.
| while the other one rode to the top
number of individual riders came along.
but IN eacn instance they walked Two
| young ladies with an escort next hove in
sight. One of the young ladies said some
thing in low tone, evidently in regard
to making an attempt to ride the hill.
| mo, indeed. was the audible reply of
the escort. Il am not going to let you
| girls play yourselves out in attempting TO
ride up this hill. 1 seldom ride it my
self; it's too much of strain on the wheel.
You do as do-walk." Suiting the action
to the word they climbed the hill ON
| 'shank's mare
The first tandem of the evening next an
peared. with a stout young lady in front
and a rather slender young man behind.
furnishing the motor power.
Il think we'd better walk" was all he
| SalQ, ana the ceDOrteF V0iced hic
| after sizing up the relative weight of the
| TWO. Two young men, out for a large
evening, judging by their attire. came
| across the bridge.
Il am too tired to ride up his HILL" was
the candid admission of one.
And I'm not particularly stuck on rid
| a weak link in my chain, and if it would
| snap l would be in a predicament"
Another tandem came soon after with a
young man and his sweetheart at least that
Is what the reporter judged the relation to
be between the two.
Wouldn't it be just too delightful for
anything If we rode up gushed the young
1 rode this hill"
The young man evidently could not see
anything delightful in riding up, and mild
~ answered: If we both push real hard
not both push hard. for about half way up
! they dismounted and walked. +
The next In order were three men, two of
l s.
was possibly between thirty-five and forty
years of age. :
I'VE had better walk, boys" said the
| elder. Il was UP this way night before last
and the hill was pretty rough" The party
followed in the footsteps of those that pre-
ceded them and walked to the top. A
young man and woman on singles reached
the reporter before he knew 1t.
While coming down this hill once INV
front forks broke and threw NE. injurine
me quite severely. Since then have been
afraid to ride up the HILL said the young
man. The scribe could hardly see any peia-
ton between being hurt In riding down the
kill and the fear Of riding up. The young
two walked up. -
These are only .. few Of the novel rea-
sons gwen for not riding the Hill. There
were many more given. while others had
practically the same excuse that was Given
by those ahead of them. When the hour
was up there were still more cyclists com
ing. and sttll more excuses being made.
but a. the reporter had promise of sDend-
ing . pleasant evening at Cabin John
bridge, he left the spot I,
Il -