The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-06-27
BARKINSTONE'S
LACK OF NERVE.

The best thing you can dc" said my
doctor, IS to take to bicycling"
AT present OF course. one bicycles,
said the man OF the world.
You're missing the finest possible en-
ioyment by not bicycling" said my a,h'
le,ic friend,
In fact wherever went | WAS NE,
hy bieyelists who longed to make Others
bicycle. Il was not for health nor Tor
fashion. nor Tor exercise that nuaily
TOOK TO the machine; was simply from
the pressure OF public opinion when /
mad nnaily given in. and made up my
mind to spoil my clothes, bruisc my body,
and ruin my temper by learning to ride, |
sought out nay athletic friend. and asked
him to tell me II there was any instructor
whom he could especially recommend,
Yes" he said, there is. There >, one
man. Barkingstone by name, who has
quite a small shop In the Ederlown Road.
tie Knows more about bike than any two
men in England put tosether / would
not dream OF buying new machine my.
self without consulting Barkings,onc
about 1t. though he would charge me A
guinea for his opinion"
said that 1t seemed rather lot OF
money.
MY friend confessed that Il was so.
but II YOU want the very best you always
have to pay for H. Barkinstone's thor
ough. that's what he is. He never ad-
Nertises, and never makes any fuss, but
on his merits alone he always has more
work than he can do. He never en-
P'oSes an assisIant-eScept. OF course, In
MS workshops. II he consents to teach
you he will charge you IS, no matter how
Few or HON many lessons YOU may ~
quire. IL seems a good deal OF money.
dare say. but then remember that il you
pay for Barkinstone you get Rarklnstone.
tie does not hand you over TO some under
Strapper who knows nothing Of the real
science OF the thing And he will turn
you out perfect. Your style will De ab-
solateiy correct; you will thoroushly
understand the mechanism OF your bike
and II any triiing accident occurs be
able to put 1t right for yourself instead
Of rushing of to a repairer Don't do it
unless you like. but II you do l can guar
antee that you will get your moneys
worth"
Did he teach your" l asked
Well, III tel you. l learned 10 ride au
right. as thought then, from friend OF
mine. After 1 had riden for about A wear
met one of Barkinstone's pupils. lady.
and when l watched her felt dissatls-
ned with myself and uneasy about my
riding. l got an Introduction from her
he won't take a pupil without an intro. |
iuction-and went to Barkinstone. Look
here l said, I want you to try me and
see II ride properly. He put me a lot
Of tests. and thought got through them
,hrly well Yes said Barklngs;one your
machine doesn't suit you. and your sad. I
Hes not right. You get along. ANYHOW I
and ride like the average man .Whaf
10 l want?' | asked. Two finishing les.
sons at a guinea each. he said. took
hem. and l never spent money better
Gained In comfort, gained in speed. and
got an understanding Of the machine
hat was alone worth the money"
That decided me. With an Introduction
rom my athletic friend sought OUT
in Ederdown Road. He was
tall. thin man, with a loose lip and
nquiring eye. He heard what | wanted
md then looked up enterles in a note
'ook. I'm full up for fortnight" he
aid. You can take a course then II Won
Ike. l shall require the IS in advance.
nd written promise 10 keep my system
Y tuition secret. That lis my usual Gus
ON" gave him the money and the
romise. and said good morning.
Wait minute, sir" said Barklnstone,
must have a machine exactly right .
eady for you TO learn on. Step this wuy.'I
Ie took me into another room. weighed
ne carefully. measured me frequently
nd accurately, and told me exactly what
lothes l was to get He mad model
nit there, and explained 1t to me. He
ad a lame tailor who was intrusted with
ne making Of these suits; he would not
six his secret by allowing you to employ e
our own tailor.