The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-08-28

placed no restrictions whatever upon my
coming and going. AS consequences I
secured the country on my bicycle and
lived and enjoyed life for the first time
during the whole period OF our long. wea-
ry companionship. In this way / got TO
know every road and byway withio 20
miles of the town. and often l went for
very long journeys, sometimes with an
acquaintance, but more frequently alone.
Indeed had been 80 much alone that I
could easily tolerate myself, but when
got the bicycle / was no longer soii-
tary. II was companion. a friend. and
II II could not talk 10 me could always
talk TO IL. And many secret we had
shared with each other and many a happy
jaunt.
Well, one day after luncheon I set out
for a run to Portmouth. journey I had
accomplished several times with ease and
satisfaction. But upon this occasion fate
did not smile on me. AZ ! enteret Ports
mouth town the clouds began TO pile up
from the south. and viewed with appre-
hension the promised dsluge, for your bi-
cycle is nothing but a fair weather bird.
Give him mud and dripping streets. and
the brute will probably break your neck
II you try TO ride him But the young
fear neither the one nor the other and as
for neck breaking--weii, that simply does
not como into the count.
However. rode straight on through the
dismounting. looked about mo. Truly the
sky was dark. the clouds seeming tn hold
perfect deluge. but as yet they were
high, and though scudding furiousiy,
promised not. I thought. an Immediate
downpown. Therefore turned about, de-
ternined TO get some distance on the road
before the deiugecame. But before reach
ed Cosham the first drops fell. and these
were followed so quickly by the real
downpour that I rode into the little town
amid perfect torrent OF rain.
Here. much 10 my chagrin. was
forced 10 stop for nearly two hours, and
when at last I ventured forth II was IN
a slight drixzie. as there were no pros
poets OF the weather clearing. Carefully
pedaled my way along. now splashing
through pools. now indnlging In various
forms OF the side slip. and expecting
every moment to be projected into the
road. N was quite dark as wheeled
my way through Havant and looked
with longing at the lights OF the shop
windows. But the genial warmth within
was not for me. so ] passed on into the
night
AS ! left the town the rain began to
descend with renewed vigor, but as I
was already well saturated II did not af-
feet me In the least. albeit u did not add
to the cheerfulness OF my surroundings.
Once wet second or third deluge mat
tered nothing. and i had no fear OF
cold, given the exercise OF pedaiing
That was why / should have feared to
train to Chicester even II had had the
money. which was not the case. My faith
er rarely seemed TO think that I might
Ike shilling or two in my pocket, and
as consequence he saw no necessity TO
burden mo with the dross. 1 believe II Is
not an uncommon consideration with par
ents.
SO far had progressed satisfactorily.
nlf hstf oh H.
of Bmsworth I went into rut. A
swishins of water followed, the machine
swerved suddenly. and was precipftated
with some violence into the road.
Picking myself up. much shaken, my
first thought was naturally OF the bicy-
Gle. and upon examining 1t in the dark.
for my lamp had gone ont. discovered,
to my dismay, that the front wheel would
not bulge. Feeling In full the horror of
the situation, i succeeded after several
vain attempts In lighting my lamp when
an investigation OF the front disclosed the
fact that the fork had been twisted and
that the rim OF the wheel pressed hard
against the side.
There was nothing left now but TO
run the thing on its back wheel and
trundle IL before me. and this I did,
feeling my misfortune very keenly
The rain came down IN torrents. and
the road was gradually transformed
into a series OF miniature lakes, into
which ] splashed with disconcerting
regularity But I plodded on sturdily.
and presently the lights OF the town
opened up. glad sight 10 the eyes OF
the weary wayfarer.
Then began the trying search for a
repairer's shop. and after the shop was
found another expedition had TO be
formed TO go In search OF the repairer
Eventually he was run 10 earth in a
rcighboring public house. and with n
very bad grace he consented 10 sec
what he could do.
When i at length left Emsworth. I
found that IL was after II o'clock Save