The record-union., 1899-12-18

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tically all of the steam engine that runs
1t is under, not behind, the seat But
the distinctive feature Of the machine
Is that in both the operations OF driv-
ing and steering the front and back
wheels are brought into play. So far
as the driving is concerned, doubling
of sprocket chains allows power to be
applied to front apd rear axleS at the
same time. In the steering lever out
side the body of the carriage, on the
left, is connected underneath SO that
when the lever is pushed forward the
axles pivot in unison.
An ingenious cyclist has provided an
inclosed wheel like a tape measure box,
to carry cord kept wound by spring.
This he fastens by clamp to the seat
post tube. When his sister or the other
fellows sister wearies in the ride or is
unable to pedal against the wind he
pulls out the cord, makes fast the tow
line to the handle bar post Of her wheel
and proceeds to help her along. The
spring is sufficiently strong to take up
slack all the time and thus. there is pre-
vented any jerky motion in the process
of towing.
Says one of the manufacturers: cit
would be a mistake to conclude that
bicycling is losing it's hold on the pub
lie favor. The record of sales for 1899
is an impressive negative to any such
inference 1t is true, however, that the
grown up learners are less conspicuous
than formerly. Perhaps the simple,
obvious reason is analogous to the
cause of the inferiority of black sheep
to white sheep as producers of wool
there are not SO many of them. Most
of the adults know how to ride. and it
has come to pass that the ranks OF
wheelmen are recruited mainly from
the boys and girls who are yearly
reaching maturity and who learned to
ride as children
The value of bicycles in warfare has
been fully demonstrated, and all the
large armies of the world now have a
bicycle corps. To meet the peculiar
requirements of the case, however, spe-
cial military" bicycles are necessary,
which differ from the ordinary type as
much as the original high wheels diff
fered from the modern racer. mill
tary bicycle must have provision for
carrying the soldiers knapsack, cam
teen and gun, and the latter must be
carried in a convenient position, so that
the rider on jumping off may grasp it
instantly. 1t must also be disposed SO
as not to fatigue the rider or interfere
with his pedaling. Another important
feature is to provide for the wheel when
the rider dismounts. 1t is hardly prac-
ticable to take time to stand the wheel
upright every time the rider dis
mounts. This has been obviated by
having the front wheel much smaller.
A rod runs from the steering post to
the rear, and relates to a frame with
tubes extending each side of the rider,
with telescoping rods. The tubes be-
come the handle bars. On dismounting
the rods are run out and the soldier
stands between them, thus keeping the
wheel upright The gun is carried YER
t1cally along the post above the low
front wheel fork. The knapsack, blan-
ket, canteen, etc, are strapped to the
frame referred to, at the rear-and
there you are.
In 1865 Pierre Lallemont, a French
man, conceived the idea of attaching
a pair of cranks and pedals to the front
wheel Of a velocipede. His success in
this device solved the problem of pro-
pelling the man-motor vehicle without
bringing the feet into contact with the
ground, which up to this time had been
the method of propelling the Brafsine
and all kindred machines In learning
to ride he found, after many attempts
and failures, that it was a simple sys-
tenn of balancing by turning the front
wheel from side to side and always in
the direction Of the threatening fall,
just as one walks by balancing the
weight first on one foot and then on
the other
A wheelman who does regular cycling
In the late fall and early winter must
expect to run into slushy roads occa-
sionally. Some regard with dread the
task of removing the accumulated earth
after a ride. Only parts of the wheel.
however. get much splashed. Rub these
slightly with vaseline. Mud and vase
line are not friends, and when any mud
is attached it will not cake and stick
hard, but can be easily wiped off with
rag. Near the bearings, where any
rain or damp can possibly enter, vase
line may be literally used 1t shuts
out the rain and prevents rust.
y
According to an English authority.
the wheeling courier has been at work
In the Transvaal war, and it is plain
that before the history of the affair is
closed the position of the cycle in mill
tary operations will be much more
clearly appreciated than at present.
According to trade reports, Australia
IS suffering severely from an overstoc<
OF bicycles. 1t has been the dumping
ground OF both English and American
makers.
THE LATE STORM.
Five Feet of Snow at Summ3+-Tho