Year: 1869

Receiving the loan OF n vcloeipede day before
yesterday evening, and being in full sympathy
with the progressive Instincts of the age, immc-
diatcly commenced 10 learn 10 ride il. In order
that my readers may more perfectly understand
the difficulties involved in 20 doing, let first
remark ON n few Of the tricks that the animal j.
AFFLICTED TO first and worst, it bctnys an unac-
countabIc disposition to lie down in the middle OF
the street anywhere, and at all times and with
Qua warning ~ 10 picztsc,i 20 stand upright
and 10 move forward, it exhibits great delight in
running into the nearest fence and J1mming the
riders legs after the manner OF Balaam's ass.
IL also often turns, what would be IL head If it
WIS a horse, back If to bite the riders feet, in
reality to rub the dust OF from the wheel rim
on to his pants. Thus altogether it Is quite un-
manageable till one gets used to it. At first
found much difficulty in keeping my balance, but
with the aid Of a friend who ran alongside hold
ing to the velocipede by the back made some
progress in the art in the first hour, receiving,
however, Il few trivial falls. vt length gaining
confidence in myself T dispensed with all assist
anee ami deeiIcd that the time had come to get n
little fan out Of the thing. After some trouble
I got a fair start and thinking that the
faster I went the less likely to tip over, /
devoted my whole strength to the pedals and
was just attaining 20 n high rate Of speed, when
the driving wheel suddenly turned at right angles
tO our line Of notion AMI in less than the twink
ling Of an eye, l was lying my face in the
road, with my mouth full Of gravel, my elbows
skinned and holes through both of my trowser
knees. The bicycle standing over me or
rather sitting ON top Of me with its gear some
what mixed up, wearing an air Of such dIscOrn-
fted surprise that my resentfu feelings vanished,
anil I felt disposed to look ut the affair in the
light OF u good jpke. ! readjustcd myself,
cleaned the black sand out Of my mouth, lomied
myself q little, busted my ha: against fence
rail, and then turned 10 the velocipede and al
ju-tel that. unwound IT. front wheel and was
ready tor new trial, calwcr and wiser man
~ lifted my eyes was surprised to find myself
completely surrounded by crowd Of spectators
watching me with an interest which increased
the whites OF their eyes To an extent nearly two
fold. 7 now ielt in n measure the responsibility
or my position thus made in n manner public,
and carefully and with becoming dignity
mounted. and started oil with self-pDsscssiOn
that surprised me, and gave great promise Of
success: alas. for this world In trying to turn
out tor an approaching carriage ! accidentally
ran or the road ON % gradual slope, down which
the vclociredc trundled faster and faster in spite
Of my desperate but unguided efforts to steer it
elsewhere, o. stop IL, or ID something or other,
what exactly ! have now but n very iuiistiuct
recollection. down the hill we rushed ut n most
dangerous speed, swaying from side to side like
an incbriatcd mau-oi- var'--man on horseback,
right toward taro-Iatch that ly calm and 81
rene at the foot Of the slope. My memory Of
what followed l. much blurred general, un-
renI and unpleasant impression, which | am a.
yet unable to anaIyzc of whirling spJkc-, pedals,
bumps, bangs, shouts, hats in the air, stars,
shock, cold water and raw tarO. Two things ! re-
member distinctly-thc instant before earthly
impressions ceased to act ON my senses Of sight
anil hearing heard a shout from the fifty spec
tators before whom had the honor tr ie per-


1rmiug and saw them struggling down the bill
toward me while the wrctchcd yclDcipcilc, the
author or all this trouble, quietly standing
on it, head and leaning against post that stood
IN the bank Of the patch. Never can forget my
sensations with my left eye, which was upper
most, going under the mixed solution of mud
and water, saw H fhere last Of all things and
like lightning took in the whole tragedy. The
rest Of my story j. told in few words. was
iishcd ont and taken home for dead. but unfortu-
nately returned to Consciousness before reaching
the privacy Of my chamber, 10 q consciousness
ot IN uncomfortable headache, and = strong and


Prevailing odor Of stale mud. / have not yet
recovered sufficiently from either to 90 into