New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-16


came run down. and then long gentle slope
that was rather trying. with pretty girl on
tandem behind that IL, to keep one in the saddle
Regate Hill came none too soon to give MI
Champion a decent excuse for dsmounting 80
he put the machine carefully where II looked
we'll on the turf and took out his silver cigarette
case and was in his attitude ready looking over
the clustering town and broad blue Weald. as
the tandem couple came walking down the hill.
So r'the ride had been very pleasant.
After that the Bounder. hot and painting. He
came toward the turf as II contemplating a
lounge, and his eye caught the chocolate bicy-
Gle. He glanced swiftly up at Mr.. Champion,
and went incontnenty down the hill toward
the town. visbly discounted.
Mr.. Champion lunched In Reigate. 1t was IN
the afternoon that his adventures really began
as he rode toward Crawley The mornings
ride had told on him. and three gates had the
honor Of supporting him for lesurely intervals
between Reigate and Horley. Cyclists became
frequent. and they went by during his SEES
sions on the gate, he smoked ostentatiously or
(after he had smoked sufficiently sketched In
little moroccob bound sketchbo ok-just to show
he was not simply resting. And among others
a very pretty girl flashed by-unaccompanied.
Now. Mr.. Champion, In spite Of his regard for
Madge. was not averse to dreams Of casual ro-
nance. And the bicycle In its earlier phases
has a peculiar influence upon the imagination
To ride out from the familiar locality. into
strange roads stretching away into the unknown.
to be free TO stop or go on, irrespective or hour
or companion inevitably brings the adventur-
Gus side uppermost. And Mr.. Champion. de-
scending from his gate and mounting. not two
minutes after she had passed, presently overlook
| her the crossroad to Horey, wheeling her
machine.
She had a charmingly cut costume, and her
| hair pleasant brown, and her ear as one
| came riding up behind her, was noticeapy
pretty. She had punctured the tire OF her hina
wheel; it ran fiat and faccid-the case was
| legible hundred yards of
Now this is the secret desire Of all lone men
who go down into the country on wheels; Inc
proffered help the charming talk the iayIrc
! incident! Who knows what delightful develop
ments? So that a great JOY came TO MT. CIa,hp
! ton. He dismounted little way behind her.
| advanced gracefully. proffered the repair outnt
/ in his wallet He had never attempted to re-
| pair tire before and so he felt confident OF ms
ability The Young lady was imG,n cSrre TO off
| herr, but seeing that II was four miles 10 Srdw
ley, and Mr.. Champion mere boy and eviden ny
Of a superior class she presently accepted ms
services. So coming to convenient srassSs
! place at the cross road. Mr. Champion turned
| the machine over it's saddle and handles;
severely bruising his knee as he did so, ana
| went quietly and methodicay to work, 1t being
| then about 3 o'clock in the afternoon ana the
| sun very bright and warm.
| he talked TO ner eaSIiE. WHERE h"N S'N
ured? She did not quite know, she had only Just
| noticed that the tire was "all nabby." "A very
| unpleasant discovery" said Mr.. Champion. I'VE
| must see just precisely what IS the natter.
It's very kind OF you" she said. Are you
sure you spare the time?
I'm merely running down to Brighton. ne
4 said. II couldn't think or leaving you III 'hi'
! predicament."
! MIR Champion had Of course no mechanic
! knowledge of bicycles. but he knew the thlnes
| were very simple He knew he had to remove
| ~ two nd did take him long 10 discover
that in order TO remove the tire he would have TO
| remove the wheel. How to get the wheel on was
little puzzling AT first-it was evident the chaln
| would have to come away. That involved opera
lions with dress guard and gear case Lts
an inductve process" said Mr. Champion, light
| ly-conceang a faint qualm or DOUBT, ana set
ting to work on the gear case.
They're frgh1fuliy complicated things" she
said
These machinery people make them rather
stupidity" said Mr.. Champion
Il shouldn't dare take the thing to pieces as
you doing"
II think men are always so nuch cleNerer 'haii
| girls at this sort of thing.
Mr.. Champion did not answer for second.
you've blackened your fingers! she saio. ,,..,o
1t was very nice and friendly Of her, but little
| dstracting She kept stepping about on the
| growing circle of nuts. chain, screw-hammer;
washers and so forth about Mr.. Champion, ana
made many bright intelligent little remarks that
required answering. And she really was pretty
Mr. Champion still continued to enjoy the mel
dent in spite of his blacKened nanuS anu TIE hea
of the dav and the quite remarkable softness OF
the nuts on her machine. IF we are better at
machine mending and that sort of thing ne
said you have your cOnSolauOns.
/ Il don't think So"
THE emotions" said Mr. Champion.
! But men have emotions.
"As girls have bicycles" said Mr. Champion;
with the air of a neat thing mslaying the pin OF
| the chain, and proceeding to pull out the wheei.
The removal of the tire was the turning point
of the affair. II simply would nor come OH tne
J dato cha
! He had to ask her to pull and the struggle was
violent for a moment, and spoke got bent Tnen
/ he pinched her finger severely. He knew the
! oneration depended upon a knack. and as he was
| ashamed Of not knowing the knack he PRETENDED
/ to be doing something else when a man cychst
! went by. Three little children came p!' ana
seemed profoundly interested until Mr.. Champion
stopped and stared steadily at them: Then each
began edging behind the other, and so they re-
! coded And a tramp offered ingenious but i'm
! practicable suggestions until Mr.. Champion gave
| him sixpence to take them away Then came
| the tandem he had seen in the morning, gong
| Iondonward and the old gentleman insisted on
knowing what the matter. Beastly ofhcious
! Of him, I'VE can't remove the tire said the
young lady-a little needessly. Champion
simple enough" said the old gentleman. in
abominable taste. 1t was simple-in his hands.
In minute the tire lay detached
II can manage now, thanks sald MT. tramp
ton rather stifly.
quite sure?" said the old gentleman
quite" said Mr. Champion, with a quiet stare,
and the old gentleman mOuHleu MS HldCHllt.
For of course Mr.. Champion trusted 10 the d.
rections on his repair outfit. as any one would
Thank you very much indeed SAID the young
lady ., .,
"No trouble at ALL" said the old gentleman.
and off he rode
The next misunderstanding was entirely Que
N the sly vague way in which the directions
ON the box were given. Really you had to stick
the round patch thing on to the puncture, but
Mr. CHAMPION read rather carelessly, ana lrst
| ~ all cut out a circular place in the air chamber
| and seeing it was not quite round he cut IT
! little larger and on. until it was little too
big for the patch thing. The young lazy had
been silent for the last ten minutes or So watch
ing Mr. Champions face, but now she asked sud
| denly Are you sure that is the right thing to
do?'
looking I'D with a smile. But really don't see