The Republican journal., 1898-11-17
TEACHING EMMA TO RIDE.
Bicycle Lessons That Distract Whole
Neighborhood.

knowing it unless they were deaf muteS.
Charley is doing the teaching. 1t doesn'
require an ear trumpet 10 discover that
his name is Charley. The lessons begin
about 10 in the evening, when it is rain
less, and last according to the endurance
of the participants. AT that hour Brook
Ign streets are pretty well deserted except
in the down town region. This is a side
street uptown. 1t is paved with hard
asphalt, If the asphalt were soft it
would be one long bas-relief of various
portions of Emma $ anatomy. Owing to
the darkness the lessons are not visible
they make up for this lack by excess OF
audibility -eXclamation-pro-
test-ad duration appeal-shIiek rattle
bump crash-recriminat oc-
casionally objurgation; that's the way
Emma learns To ride the wheel
In the ears Of the ueighborhood, some
times amused, sometimes sleepily indig-
nant, sometimes mildly indifferent, the
lesson purSues its cacophonous course
something like this:
NOW, then, are, you all ready? Jump
on.
''Wait a minute. 600 90 ooh. DON'T
let me go, piece easel
''All right; I've got you. Now YOU re
off Go ahead
80. Charley, what makes it wab5le so
tonight? | know the saddles on
crooked"
''No, it isn't either. Fixed it myself
Pedal faster. IN keep alongside of
you. That's it: your doing nobly,
Emma.
''le-e-c-s. but l just know I'm going
TO fall off in a miuute. 0w! There's a
tree.
Keep off the walk then. That wheel
ism built to climb trees with"
Don't make fun of me, Charley. Its
perfectly hol- Ee-ee ee-ee, Ow. Catch
me quick "a thump, followed by gen
tie crash There, now you have done
it,
well, if that isn't last like a girl :
Don blame it on me because you can
indulge in the delights of conversation
and keep your balance at the same time.
You might reserve your remarks till
later
''You needn't get so cross over one lit
tie fall. 1t didn' hurt you, | guess. You
took good care to be out the way
eff you'll map plan of your tloppings
II try to be on hand for each one. Here
you are On with you again. "a brief
respite.) "Now you're getting on first
rate. -
''Yes, if you only wouldn't talk to me.
1t distracts my attention. Ouchi 1 m
getting wabbly again"
STEADY. All right now??''
THANK you. Yes, | guess So "a
pause.} ''Charley,"
''Weu?H
Don't YOU think I'll know how to
ride pretty we'll by next week?" Rack
ETY. whack bang.
''No. nor next century. Hurt you?''
''No-o-o. not much. How did that
curb get there: thought was right in
the middle of the street,
SO YOU were. but while YOU were oc-
cupied in talking. the gutter slipped
quietly out and barred your path. Bad
habits these cutters around here have
III you're going to be horrid and sar-
castle shall 90 in. I'd like 10 know if
this is what YOU call teaching d Girl to
ride"
''God knows. it isn't"
..You re not making it any better by
swearing. Charley"
lit wasn't exactly A swear; inst a sort
of slip. due to stress Of emotion. ANYWAY.
IN be- Your pardon and wen start
again.
This time IN be real venturous and
go as far as the corner Now watch me. 90
now. Come on: turn around!''
''Oh, | can't! The wheel won { 90 RIGHT.
Catch me +"
'',Just in tine hat tip. You were all
right until you let yourself get nervous.
If YOU d only make ND your mind 10 it
you could ride as well as anybody.
DO You really think so? How dear of
you. But some way, Just as | Get my
mind nicely made up the wheel begins to
cut up, and off go
''Try it down this way for change
You Il keep along near me, won t
you?'
Ives, I'll be within reach to claim the
remains if you meet your finish. .
lit ISN'T very comforting to have you
talk that way Oo-oo; don't make me
talk.
''Ill offer you prize for ten seconds of
consecutive silence, if you think it would
have any effect
'.Oh, dear / hear something coming
down the stree. Cha-a- arley; what is it?
wagon?"
"More likely to be that than four
masted schooner, or train of cars
"Oh-hh-h h-A Help. Stop me some
body! Stop your horse, Mr.. Driver!
Do-o-o-nt let I'M run over me! 900
ee- ee-ee- vow