The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1898-01-11
A SCORCHER CURED.

n ROO1CC11LIO w hLU.
The Standwell WheeIers were annoy
ed. Half of them, the fastest men in
the club, had been to supper at Dicky
Carmichaels rooms and were sitting
round discussing the situation, with
the assistance of Dioky's cigarettes
Eyes" Carmichael was saying, 81
admit he can ride and ride we'll. It
isn't his pace object to; it's his con-
founded conoeit about it. Soon after he
came here spoke to him about joining
the club, and what do you think the
fool said? You all know his beastly
drawl. 'Well-er-don' It think I shall,
thanks. Fact is. doncherknow. like to
shift when I'm out. Can't stand crawl
ing at any price. There's an inflated
idiot for youP'
HE passed us when we were out last
night" said Royton, land we couldn't,
one Of us, hang on to him. He knew it
too. He's done that once or twice, and
it's only just to show off, know"
81 was out alone on Wednesday,"
Clipped in Teddy Blame, the club sprint
er, ''and he caught me up and looked
round with that COMPOUNDED smile of
his as he passed. You bet I wasn't 60
ing to let him walk away without an
effort; but, as you fellows know, I'm
better at short distances, and after max
ing it pretty warm for about couple
of miles had to throw it up
Far away down in the depths Of an
easy chair several sizes too big for him
sat little Pat Armstrong. Up to the pres
ent he had been silent, but now looking
up at his companions he said, in his
lazy sort of way, ''My dear fellows,
I've an idea. .
There was general laugh.
'By Jove Hank at itI''
''Look at what's got an ideal"
''Stick to it, Pat; it's the only one
you'll ever get.
They listened, while he laid his plan
before them, and for an hour they talked
earnestly together Then as midnight
struck they broke up and departed
chuckling over the scheme which Pat
had devised.
1t was September evening a week
later, and the fast gathering twilight
cast dim obscurity over the Landscape,
when up hill, at the foot of which lay
the little town Of Standwell, came
rider
On reaching the top of the hill the
rider paused a moment to regain his
breath. As he sat up in his saddle he
heard the sound Of cycle wheels and
turning his head saw another rider,
who had evidently assembled the hill
close behind him
This one presented striking appear
ance, for with the exception of shoes
and stockings he was clothed completely
in white-a white calico jacket with
loose knickers Of the same material,
and on his head large, soft wide awake
of white felt. This latter was pulled SO
far forward that the riders face was
completely hidden, but it was evident
that he was member of the Standwell
Wheelers. for the club badge was dis
played conspicuously on the side of his
headgear.
The scorcher, however, had but little
time to take note of his companion S ap-
pearance, for before he was aware of it
the white rider, going at great pace,
shot past him and gained lead Of some
dozen yards. The scorcher's spirit was
reused within him, for it was his boast
that he allowed no one to pass him on
the road. So, bending low over his han
dies, he pedaled furiously to regain the
lead and soon overlook and passed the
Standwell man. The latter, however, at
once replied by sprint which again
gave him first position. This was di-
rect challenge. There could be no mis-
take about that. The scorcher was
amazed. Did Standwell Wheeler dare
to challenge him? Very well, 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 fends 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 shout
der and found that his pursuer had fall
en- back dozen yards or So But this
gave him no hope, for during their ride
land they had now come five miles, the
white figure had repeatedly dropped
away, only to reappear shortly close be-
hind him And SO it was this time. In
a minute or two he again took up his
old position, and from his easy breath
ing 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
whatever, straight into Standwell and
right past the club headquarters He to
be beaten before their eyes and by one
of their own ridersl 1t would be eter-
nal 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 a few seconds the building
is in sight The scorcher's heart sinks |
within him as he feels his opponent
draw up level with him and to all ap-
pearances as fresh as at the start Until |
now his eyes have been fixed to his front
wheel, but now he glances ahead, and,
oh, horror, sees a crowd of members as
sembled round the entrance OF the club. |
Oh, the degradation of it to him, who
had SO boasted of his powersl In anothr
er second comes the climax, for his OPP
ponent shoots ahead, and, flying past
the club, leading by lengths, sits up,
and, turning round, lifts his hat grace
fully, revealing the features of the Flea.
He, that youngster Of all others, to de-
feat the hitherto unbeaten scorcherl
The defeated one stays not, but with
Al. e II.