The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1897-09-16

teen in fours. then eight in a row, and
lastly 10 straight across. When the
lines ARE kept true tn" effect is delight.
tuI. Then they wind like the letter :
in single file from the top Of the hal
down and bnck, then the indies start
from on" corner, the gentlemen FROM
the opposite, and they cross each other
one at a time, near the center, forming
a letter y. They end by forming Il
ring in the center and winding in an(
out until the leader has been to thu
center and out again. Then they ride
out TO the dressing-rooms aud that
completes the musical ride.
Next may come a potato racc. The
leader comes out aud places at inter
y0ls down the hall three potatoes on
the right and three potatoes on the
left, the same distance apart, When
the signal is given a girl on a bicycle
starts down the right side, a man rides
down the left side, until they reach
the potato which is tarthest down the
IiiNs ~ 'iHifS'tit lIAh Wy tHt I)o
t1to and carry it on their wheel back
tc the leader, dropping it Mt his feet.
they turn, ride buck, dismount for the
second potato. ride with 1t back to the
leader, and 50 on, until they have each
gathered mp their row. Usually n girl
viii mount more quickly than q man,
and is, therefore, more apt to win in u
potato race. Two more couples try
their skin in this direction. and thea
there is n final heat for the winners.
Next comes an overture by the band,
when fancy riding may be introduced,
and a clown and possibly a stuffed tig,
urr tied IN TO his bicycle will make a
little extra fun,
The fifth feat might be the winding
of a May pole by Il little girls in white
dresses and gurlands on their heads,
and their bicycles also brdecked with
paper roses, Then follows an obstacle
race, Two long benches are placed
across the hall, another at the extreme
ehd of the hall, on which rests a box
OF o d crackers, and mt the upper end
Of the hall Il table containing several
glasses Of lemonade, When all is ready
a signal is given and four young men
on their wheels ride down the center,
LIT their bicycles over the Intervening
benches, mount again, ride up to the
cracker box, dismount, eat one cracker
aud return as them came, pausing at
tie table to drink Il glass of lemonade,
after which they make IA complete cir.
cult of the hall before the race is ended.
Next the lancer is danced" IL one
may be allowed that word, by lG men
and maidens on their wheels. They
form in two sets and go through the
figures Of the l%ancers, circling around
each other instead of turning part.
rers,' and ending with the grand chain,
making onc of the prettiest items of
the evening.
The thread and needle race consists
OF four young ladies riding down the
ball and each presenting u young man
with a spool of thread and needle. He
must thread the needle while she waits
on her wheel. When it is returned 10
her she rides back with it to the leader,
Fitting at The ring Is the most diff.
cult feat for the amateur bicyclist 10
attempt. 1t means being able to carry
q long spear while riding at full speed
and putting this through a series of
which are suspended from II glib.
bctlIhe arrangement. over the riders
head, This can be arranged in three
heats, with a prize for the winner.
II one has tried to see how SLOWLY
ore can 20 on a wheel without actually
falling oil one will know how difficult |
it is TO win IN Il tortoise race, where the |
victor is he who comes in last.