The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-05-17

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1.-THE Gentlewoman.' Comparatively few
riders take the trouble to study and ac-
quire this most essential feature in the
development of a really good style. First
of all, the saddle must be properly
placed. To do this bring it forward on the
horizontal part of the pin until a plummef
dropped from the middle of the saddle
just where the peak begins viii fall about
seven inches behind the centre of the
crank axle. Peaks vary in length, hence
to measure from the end of.the peak is
not a safe guide. Then, with the rider
seated comfortably, the waist of the shoe
should just be able to reach the pedal
when at the lowest point. The handles
should be an inch or two above the leve-
of the saddle, according to the length OF
the arms, which should be almost
straight when holding them. A fat bar is
better than the usual upturned one pro
vided for women, because during a ions
ride, and especially when hill-elimbing. i,
is restful to be able to move the hands to
various parts of the bar and not always
to hold the actual handles. The handles
should be set at right angles to the steer
ing post. 1t has become the fashion with
some makers to set the handles parallel
Will lue StOuAiO, dAo
obtuse angle to the steering post; this l
hold to be an error. as it gives an I'M
natural position to the hands and wrists.
Having got everything properly adj
justed. begin to study the action of the
feet. ankles and knees. Remember first
of all that the upper part of the body
should be kept perfectly still; there must
be no swayfng of the shoulders or hips,
So -Altr1z ronN6 1ika
a well regulated steam engine. Aim to
lift the knees as little as possible, see
that the bail of each foot rests on the
middle of the pedal, and that the feet
are perfectly parallel. i.e., that the heels
do not turn outward or inward. A good
pedaler avoids the dead point and keeps
an even pull on the chain by turning the
toe downward at the bottom of the
stroke, at the same time clawing the
pedal backward. Then as the pedal rises
the toe is allowed to rise above the level
of the heel as far as the ankle joint Will
permit. This prevents the knee from ris-
Ing too high, and at the same m en-
.ables the foot TO push the pedal over the
upper dead point. Thus, with one foot
elawing at the lower and the other push
ing over the upper end of the stroke, the
dead point is avoided. Now that free
wheels are coming rapidly into vogue it
is more than ever necessary to acquire
the art of keeping al even pull on the
chain by good ankling. The rider who al
lows her chain to slacken between each
stroke will find herself terribly at sea on
a free wheel, and will be forced at once TO
ankle properly. Boots are a great hind
rance to ankle action; so are spats or
CATERS unless very thin or loose around
the ankle.
There are people in the world-perhaps
you know of one or two-who never seem
prepared for callers.
A visitor throws them into a great state
of excitement, and a ring at the door
bell seems to surprise them as much as
IL they were living in the heart of the will
derness.
There is a mad rush to pick up papers,
arrange curtains, shut doors, beat and
s%traighten sofa cushions and clean up
generally while the girl has gone to an
swer the bell.
Of course refer to people who have
no special day"
Then the visitor, having been ushered
into the reception-room and left to her
fate, may have the pleasant privilege of
hearing the following uttered in the next
room, and but poorly guarded by the thin
partition
.sWho is it, Bridget"
'-Here's her card. ma'am."
"Oh dear, dear; if it isn't that Mrs.
- Now, what IN earth does she
want?''
Il dunno, ma'am.'
Then two or three excited women's
voices.
''Of course shed come when I look like
the Old Nick. Now. I've got to stop this
work and dress to see her"
sHush. She'll hear you"
"Well l don't much care if she does"
This in a lower tone, but it reaches all
right.
.Perhaps Bridget didn't say you were
In"
"Oh, I might as well see her. I suppose"
Il wonder if we've got to invite her to
luncheon?'
soh. I suppose SO. You girls had better
fix up a little. She's awfully dressy. you
know"
BY this time the visitor, If she is at all
sensitive and has a sense of humor-
oh. gift worth m~illionsi-may do as an
acquaintance of mine did under almost
identical circumstances.
She heard the comments that her call
created with varying emotions and de-
cided on a bold step.
Going softly to the door, she opened it
and looked out into the hall.
No one in sight
She left the room on tiptoe, reached the
stairs, descended them softly. opened the
front door with caution, closed it with
ditto ditto, and sped up the street out of
sight.
Not strictly ladylike, perhaps, but, oh,
very natural.
The trousseau of today differs from
that of the last generation, in that it
contains only what the bride-elect is going
to need the first season following her mar.
rage. says the ssGentlewoman" for May.
Clothes change in style nowadays so rap
idly. not only in hats. wraps and gowns,
but in the shape of shoes and pettieoats
and corsets. that the wise woman does
not provide any more of anything than
she has practically immediate use for.
Then. again, the trousseau should be
designed for the use to which it is to be
put. The bride who is going to travel for
a year needs quite a different outfit from
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