The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1897-04-29
ADVENTURE AWHEEL.

"You can talk all you want to, Vic,
about your '97 wheel, with it's so gear,
three-point bearings, quick repair
tires and what not, but my '95 is all
right, and won't be in the rear on club
runs by a long shot,
At the same time Jack Roberts,
6right-looking chap of athletic build,
gazed admiringly at his companions
new bicycle, with all it's improvements.
ooh, you'll beat out some Of the
boys replied Vic Nichols, patronizing
.Sy, "but your cS gear and Anticipated
omnibus, Jack, put you in the rear di-
wision.''
Some of Vic's cronies laughed with
aim. They were assembled this April
evening at their clubhouse in one of
the upper wards Of Brooklyn. No one
thought of going out for ride, as it
was windy and threatened rain.
$50 you think you've got cinch,
Vic?'' said Jack, his gray eyes flashing u
little.
'tWell, I can't figure you in it with
chat, wheel, old fellow
Jack was somewhat nettled. Vic's
father presented his son with a new
wheel every year, and the boy was en-
abled thereby to set the pace for most
of the members of the club, a fact that
made him rather boastful. Jacks pa
rents couldn't afford such luxury, but
he felt pretty sure he could beat his
rival on anything like even terms.
<'Well, I won't call you better MAJ
I'LL you've beaten me-" Jack asserted,
defiantly.
whats the matter with racing to
Browns, at Valley Stream, and back to-
might:?'' asked Vic, craftily
|'Tll go you if you think it won't rain"
"I1old on. Trifles like rain and pune
lures won't count. They'll be no ex-
~cuse. Well have the wind at our backs
going out, and We'll buck it coming
back. A 25-nile race like that ought to
prove something. What do you say?'
"1'm with you''-and Jack began
some nasty preparations.
Some of the boys tried to discourage
the rivals from racing at such time
ON such a night.
Don't you know there's been wheel
'snen held up nights out in those
H~''<1Ao. leu 1IGClc w III JENKINS. WITH
a white face.
Newspaper stories," laughed Jack.
Ut was $3.50 p. IN. before the boys got
their wheels in trim, the chains lubri-
Gated, the tires inflated, the bearings
oiled and the lamps filed But they
started promptly at that time.
For few minutes they pedaled over
some roughly-paved streets, and the
ra'aw wind made both begin to repent
-sheir rash venture. But soon thew
struck fair turf and macadam roads
and sped along at great speed, the wind
at their backs.
Slowly. but surely, Vic drew away
from Jack, though his legs were not
Anoving as fast as his rivals.
:. Their road wound along through
sleepy villages, past fields and farms.
into dark patches of cool woods, which
brought wildly to the boys minds the
stories of wheelmen waylaid and robbed
by men who sprang suddenly from the
}aeafy coverts. Vic was considerably in
the lead now. Looking ahead, Jack
could see but the faint streak of light
thrown on the ground by his rivals Ian
.tern-
''That's all right" muttered Jack.
His high gear and the wind favor
min now, but I'll hold him coming
Hsack. Give me low gear for pedal
ai:tg against the wind; ~
The faint. ghost-like light now dis
: appeared around bend in the road,
and Jack began to feel lonely. -
cit might be better for US to keep
together coming home, anyway"
i thought jack, as a cracking noise
\ reached his ears, az if some one were
Eaoving among the trees and under
brush on his right The wind moaned
3dismally as it swept through the
branches, and more than once Jack
thought, in his excited state, that he
detected fiery eyes in the dark depths,
which glaaed at him as he swept BY.