Griggs courier., 1898-10-13

M RS. GOL1GHTLY Ito Mrs. Nupair)
M Cycling! Oh, I simply adore it.!
But if you want to enjoy it properly
you must have tandem. That's what
Adolphus and ride. You don't have
any responsibility, and you go ever so
much farther and faster, and you DON t
get nearly so tired -
Have to do your share of the work
Oh, yes! Certainly. That's only fair.
But, of course, you expect your hus-
band to do just little more. Going
up hill, for example, you needn't pedal
unless you like. He'll never notice.
And when you're getting tired coming
home, you can take rest and let him
work it. Men don't feel it, you know;
they're SO much stornger. There's
nothing like tandem. It leaves you
so free to enjoy yourself and look at
the scenery.
Mr.. Golishtly Ito Mr.. Nupair)-Get
tandem!.; Good gracious, no! What
ever put such a notion into your head?
My dear fellow, you're mad to think
of it! Why do I? Well, can't get out
of it now I've started, but if had to
begin again-why, wouldn't, that's
fiat! You have all the responsibility,
and don't go nearly as fast or as far
as on single, and you get twice the
fag.
The lady does some of the work?
Oh, yes! Certainly. But she expects
the gentleman to do good bit more.
Going up hill, for example, she rarely
touches the pedals. She thinks you
don't notice it. Twelve stone odd,
Laura weighs. Then just when you're
done up, the lady will feel tired and
let you do all the work. You've no
chance to enjoy the scenery or any
thing. So whatever you do, my boy,
don't you have tandem!
Mr.. George Washington-Of course
a single bikes better than nothing;
but, if you want to spin along and en-
Joy yourself, you should have tan
dem. told you about Brown and my
sef going to Riddleham in just over
two hours, didn't Ia matter Of II
miles? All, Z thought so! And about
our beating the record to Brighton?
You didn't believe it. That's where it
is! It's no use telling you fellows any
thing. You think everyone exag-
gerates like you do.
Anything fresh? Well, yes; but
you'd never credit it, so what's the use
of telling you? Itwas rather peculiar.
! don't know that should believe it
myself, if anyone else told me, (Puffs
meditatively at his cigar.) Out with
1t? Well, it's serious matter, really
-deuced serious-and if you play any
larks or make game, shall shut up,
remember. Poor old Flyer! (Takes a
long drink and shakes his head SOL
emnly.)
You knew poor old Flyer, who held
all the records for couple of years?
A good sort, but rather peculiar. He
always wanted to break the tandem
records, but he couldn't get partner
who was fast enough for him. It was
before I took to racing, don't you
know. Many's the time he's said to
me: Washington, my boy, If you
would ride with me" Look here. if
you fellows don't stop making faces, ]
shall dry up.
When he broke his neck in the hun
dred mile race, his people asked me to
accept his tandem, and didn't like to
hurt their feelings by refusing. But,
somehow, couldn't feel that anyone
I knew was class enough to take poor
Flyers place-you'll excuse me, boys,
but he was rider, you know-so ii
was long time before I rode it; but
last night I thought I'd take it out by
myself. When I got on, was aston.
ished to find how easily it went; ]
scarcely had to touch it. So I went
further than I intended, till at last ]
came to Boxley, where they've built
that new track. Then I thought it was
time to go back home, but I'm hanged
II the machine would turn, and though
tried to back pedal, couldn'tst it
In few moments we ran right up tc
the private entrance, and the care
taker just touched his hat, and we rar
on to the track. "Why, I thought h.
/. was done for!" heard him say to hi.
mate. and my hair stood right on END
For I knew that old Flyers ghost wa,
riding behind me! Ifyou fellows thinl
this is laughing matter, I don't.
.s5:5 / Well, we ran on to the track just a.
the clock struck eight, and round W,
commenced to 60. The caretakel
and his pal came and leaned on the raj
and watched us, and I heard one O
them say: They're going at the one
hour record, like he said he woul,