The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-08-06
"A SC0RCHER
WHO WAS Cured.

The scorcher was amazed. Did a Stand
we'll VIII, eler dare to challenge him? Very
, we'll, then. That man must learn that no
member of the despised club could hope to
keep pace with him. SO, getting we'll over
his work, he settled down to business and
going for all he was worth again passed his
opponent.
The pace grew warmer, and on they
went, on, on, until trees and hedges seemed
to the riders but blur of green, so terrific
was the speed at which they went. Faster
and faster over the dusty road going as
though the fiends were behind them, no
sound breaking the stiffness but the whir
of the flying wheels and the click of the
chain over the cogs And the white rider
still hung on. Fear took hold of the
| scorcher and sickening dread came upon
him. Was he, the unbeaten, now to find
his match from among the members of that
club which he had so openly derided?
Perish the thought! He glanced over his
shoulder and found that his pursuer had
fallen back dozen yards or so. But this
gave him no hope, for during their ride
(and they had now come five miles the
white figure had repeatedly dropped away,
only to reappear shortly close behind him.
And SO it was this time. In minute or
two he again took up his old position, and
from his easy breathing was apparently as
fresh as ever. Not so the scorcher, for
used as he was to speedy shifting, the
terrific pace at which they had ridden was
telling upon him. Suddenly thought
struck him, and as he realized it he almost
fell from his saddle. He remembered now
what had hitherto escaped his memory,
that this road led, with no turning what
ever, straight into Standwell and right past
the club headquarters. He to be beaten
before their eyes and by one of their own
riders! 1t would be eternal degradation
to him who had made it his boast that he
was faster than their fastest. What would
he not give to escape the humiliation which
seemed in store for him, and for the first
time in his life he longed for puncture.
The headquarters of the club were now
but half mile distant On fly the pair
and in few seconds the building is in
sight The scorcher's heart sinks within
him as he feels his opponent draw up level
with him aud to all appearances as fresh as
at the start Until now his eyes have been
fixed to his front wheel, but now he glances
ahead, d, OH horror sees crowd of
members assembled round the entrance Of
the club. Oh, the degradation of it to
him, who had SO boosted OF his powers!
In another second comes the climax, for
his opponent shoots ahead, and, flying past
the club, leading by lengths, sits up, and,
turning round, lifts his hat gracefully, re-
vealing the features of the Flea. He, that
youngster Of all others, to defeat the
hitherto unbeaten scorcher! The defeated
one stays not but with the derisive laugh
ter of the club ringing in his ears pedals
home sadder and wiser scorcher.
There was another supper that night,
this time at tine club rooms, and if the
soorcher could have been present his feel
ings would have puzzled an analyst.
AT the end of long apartment were
stacked six bicycles, light road racers, and
on their saddles were hung six white wide
awalles. At the head Of the table sat six
figures, all clad in white and all of very
similar build With these six lay the ex-
PLANTATION of the scorcher's defeat, and now
to his eliminates, who up to the present
had been in ignorance as to the method
employed, knowing only that he who had
scolfed at them 80 often had been overcome,
Pas Armstrong was holding forth.
Well, you see boys, we devised this
little business about week ago and,
knowing which way he was riding, put is
into force this evening. Fact is, each of
US took a mile apiece, SO don't give me all
the honor We took up our position with
OIL jigger5 ell the way along the road,
either behind trees or gates, and as one Of
us dropped out another took the beggar on
and went all out until he came to the
next man, who did ditto. | tell you it
was fun-graud fun. OF course we all
looked alike to him, and he's run of with
the idea that took him Oh for six solid
miles and then licked him. Poor chap"
And amid general roar of laughter he
sat down, but they picked him and the
rest of his crew up and carried them |
shoulder high round the room, cheering
till all were blue. Then the whole club
swore eternal secrecy, and no whisper of
the unhCly scheme by which he was de-
feated ever reached the ears of the speed
boaster. But he scorches now no morel
and the Standwell Wheelers are avenged
A dog supposed to be affected with