Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-06-12
HAD LOTS OF FRIENDS
BY 5. M. CARSON.

Der LIreS, sent Dy MS Uncle Tom for
his birthday, created quite a stir when
it arrived. After it was taken from
the crate al the family admired its
perfect mechanism and its beauty, but
Leonard said nothing.
What do you think of 1t SOM" ask
ed Leonard's father
The boy came out of his trance with
deep sigh of satisfaction. Gee, but
won't the kids all be jealous!" he said
rapturously.
The long hall between the dining
room and the living room was immedi-
ately turned into practice ground.
Leonard's father gave him some ex-
pert advice. The boy learned quickly.
All that evening and the next day was
devoted to hard, steady practice
Il think you can ride well enough
to take the wheel out Of doors tomor.
row." Leonards father told him at
the end of the second day of train.
ing.
Il don't want to take 1t out yet"
replied the boy. 81 want to learn a
few tricks first" And he proceeded
to learn tricks that consisted of riding
without holding the handlebars, riding
with one foot or holding with one
hand, and various combinations OF
these interesting performances.
The next day was Saturday. All the
children were playing out of doors.
7 nnnor1 To oo1y h C
sensational appearance. He was GER
tain that his velocipede, or his bike"
as he chose to call it, would make
great impression.
Several of the boys in the neigh.
borhood were the proud possessors of
velocipedes, but none of these had rub
Der tires, nor were they painted with
such beautiful colors and stripes.
Then, too, Leonard had been having
Quarrels with some of the boys lately
and now was his chance to even
things up.
With an air of conscious Importance
he walked out into the street, trun-
ding his velocipede before him,
mounted it, and rode away to the cor
ner, then turned back. Immediately
the report was spread the Leonard
had the SWEETEST bike on the street.
By the time he returned to his own
doorstep small delegation was await
ing him.
Hello, LEM" cordially went up
from every throat.
"Hello!" answered Leonard.
Got a new bike, LEM"
yep"
'"Gee, it's swell, amt it, boys7
Where did you get it?"
From my Uncle Tom"
Does it go good, LEM"
Dandy" laconically replied Leon.
ard.
Bet you can't do no tricks-yet."
Sure, kin. Tricks is easy" Leon
ard proceeded to do few of his very
best ones. The spectators were prop
erly fascinated by the exhibition.
Say, Len, I'll let you ride on my
hand car, if you want to- l didn't
mean nothin' that time when / didn't
let you"
Leonard made no reply to this offer.
"Oh, Len, amt mad at you," came
from another boy. you kin come and
play cowboy in our yard this after
noon if you want to. I got some new
wooden swords. Will you Gomez"
Sure I'll come" said Leonard.
"And you kin come to my movin'
pitcher show without payin' no pins,
Leonard" spoke up third
Are all you kids goin to be good at
me?" asked Leonard.
Sure, we are" they answered in
chorus.
We'll, said Leonard, 81 was goin' to
give all you kids a ride on my new
bike to be good at me and let me play
in all the games, and things, but
you're all good at me anyway, so
guess I don't have to give you no ride
on my bike"
Off he rode at full speed, going
through the whole list of his tricks
as he vent