New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-06
HIS LAST PUPIL.
BIZ BARRY PAIN.


~ to take to bicycling"
AT present OF course. one bicycles" said the
man OF the world.
You're missing the firest possible enjoyment
~ not bicycling" said my athletic friend
In fact wherever went was met by BIZ
cyclists who longed to make others bicycle 1t
was not for health, nor for fashion nor for
exercise that finally took to the machine: IL
was simply from the pressure of public opinion
When had finally given in. and made I'D my
miho TO spoil my clothes. bruise my body, and
ruin my temper by learning to ride 1 sought
out my athletic friend, and asked him to tell
me II there was any instructor whom he could
especially recommend.
Yes" he said there is. There is one man.
Barkinstone by name. VINO has quite a small
shop in the Enderdown Road. He knows more
about the bike than any two other men in Eng
land put together. would not dream of buying
= new machine myself without consulting Bark
nstone about it, though he would charge me a
guinea for his opinion"
said that that seemed rather q lot Of money
MY friend confessed that 1t was so. But IL
you want the very best you always have to
pay FOR It Barkinstone's thorough that's what
We Is He never advertises. and never makes
~ny russ. but on his merits alone he always
has more work than he can do He never en-
G'oys an assistant-except, of course in his
sorkshops. II he consents to teach you he will
lessons you may require. 1t seems a good deal
Of money. dare say but then remember that
you pay for Barkinstone you get Barknstone
ue ooes not hand you over to some under
wrapper VINO knows nothing of the real science
Of the thing. And he will turn YOU out perfect
-FOUR style will be absolutely correct; you will
ride easily and confidently; you will thoroughly
understand the mechanism of your bike and ~
any trining accident occurs be able to put il
right for yourself instead of rushing Off to a
epairer Don't do II unless you like, but IL you
10 can guarantee that you will get your
moneys worth"
Did he teach your" asked.
well. I'll tell you. 1 learned to ride all right
as thought then. from a friend of mine
After had ridden for about a year I mot ono
or Barkinstone's pupils, a lady and when 7
watched her felt dissatisfied with myself and
uneasy about my riding. got an introduction
from her-he won't take a pupil without an
introduction-and went to Barkinstone Look
mere said, I want you to try me and see il
ride properly He put me a lot OF tests and
tnoueht got through most OF them fairly we'll
Yes. said Barkinstone. your machine doesn't
SUIT you. and your saddles not right You get
along. anyhow and ride like the average man
what do want? asked. Two finishing les |
sons at a guinea EACH. he said. 1 took them, |
and never spent money better. Gained in COM
Tort gained in speed. and got an understanding
OF the machine that alone worth the |
money" |
That decided me. With an introduction from,
my athletic friend sought out Barki,.stone in |
the Enderdown Road He was a tall thin man
WIN loose lip and inquiring eye. He heard
what wanted. and then looked I'd entrie. in a |
notebook I'm fun up for a fortnight" he said |
4 on can take the course then IL Won like 7 |
shall require the 50 in advance and a written
promise to keep my system Of tuition secret
Ihat Is my usual custom" / gave him tho
money and the promise and said good morning
wait a minute, sir" said BarlSinstone "I
must nave machine exactly right ready for Won
TO learn on Step this way" He took me into
another room. weighed me carefully measured
me frequently and accurately and told me ex
actiy what clothes / to get He had |
hooei suit there and explained il to me He !
mad tame tailor. who was intrusted with tho
making or these suits: he would not risk his |
secret by allowing you to employ your own
tailor ~
AT the end Of a fortnight returned to him
paid altogether exclusive OF a moderate |
eharge Tor the clothes) IS 3s. to Barkinstone
I'd Tor tuition. guinea for choosing a machine |
1or me- and guineas for procuring. altering
ana hitting a special saddle. In four dave
cou'o ride straight up a stiff hill without bend
1"s my pack, and with my hands of / couId
machine To nj.