Evening Star Newspaper, February 27, 1897, Page 23

THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1897-24 PAGES. S AT THE SOME NOVELTE BICYCLE SHOW, NEW YORK. POLO ON BICYCLES The Sport Has Met With Considera- ble Favor. ABOUT TWO YEARS SINCE 118 ORIGIN Need for Great Skill in the Partici- pants. SOME TRICKS OF THE GAME — in the game of polo is not | one would think. The | the sport Is not taken up by the wheelmen at a much greater rate than at present. The game made its appearance in this city some time ago and created more or less interest. The lack of | interest that has so far been shown in the The bic such a novelty a: only wonder is th game by the general public ts perhaps at- tributable to the ignorance of the sport and its many fine points. Prior to its intro- duction in this city the game was played various other cities of the country, the for the sport gradually extending while. It is hard to say In which fondn all th city the game of bicycle polo originated. There are several places that claim the From the best authority it seems as though the adaptation of the Sport for the cyclists first entered the head of some northern wheelmen, who practi ly carried out their own ideas in the mat- ter. The original ideas in the game, with few modifications, still cling to it. As is well known, the game of polo was | originally a sport on horseback. It is vir- ly a game of ball, and the name is de etan pulu, which m original game, which up to yed in this city, | tick with which opponent's goal. In ti yeling a num- d The g& the ball was ing in the way, and rous to both alike snent. In this city en confined en- this part that wiil t more interesting. tly suitable in| indoor polo on pubtedly have the go in Game in It« Infancy. The game is in Its infancy yet so far as the bicycle is concerned. It has been hardly over tw S ago since the game origi- nated. It appeared to meet with more pop- ular approval—much more so than basket Lall—probably due to the fact that there was a much larger proportion of eyeling The growing increase of the to the formulation of a set ‘d after the rules of the orig- | inal game, and this revision will shortly be published ‘and placed on the market, if, in- deed, it has not already made its appear- “ance. The rules for the game, however, have not yet reached this city, and what playing there is up to the present time has been under the unwritten code of rules and the general conception of the game as it should be played. The game as has been played in this city is as follows: Two blocks of wood are placed at each end of the building, about eighteen inches or two feet apart, and these form the goal. The size of the space in which the game is played seems to be im- material. It has been played in a hall per- haps thirty feet wide by forty or fifty feet Jong, and then again the playing space has been much larger. Of course, the larger the space the more interesting the game, and more players can participate. In some | of the halls in this city in which the game has been played the space was so small that the contest was narrowed down to two men. It would have been dangerous had there been two men on each side. The sides line up even with the goal line, and the ball ts placed as nearly as possible in the center of the room. The signal is given and the play commences. Owing to the lack of general rules, no regular time is allowed for an inning. The practice among the local cycle poloists is to play three in- nings, the length of which averages from six to ten minutes, with a rest of from one to two, or perhaps more, between innings. Cevotees. game h: ef rules mc The innings can be made longer, with a rest of four or five minutes between. With t all in play the sport is excit- ing. This is especially so when the play- ing area The poloist must be in | the nature ick rider to make the sudden t short stops with which the His expertn a@s a bicy: © is fully demonstrat and abeve all the rider must have splendid control wheel ch he mechani- | cally st while ntion is fasten- ed on nts of the ball. The c moveme pushing e the wh: is @ entirely with yele, the front wheel | most, because it ts more rt bicyele polo ean force the line for fifty player, w ball in a or more fee shows the force that can be exe by a sudden twist of the front wh The aim of each player is to Grive the ball between the two blocks at the other end of the hail which mark the goal e enemy. When the ball {s finul- ly driven through the goal one point is scored by the fortunate side. The sides then » again, the ball is placed in the center and the y resumes. Skill Required. cessarily foilo’ that It ne when the to one another on the wheel. As a result collisions are not at all infrequent. It very rarely happers, however, that a play- er gets hurt. The men are generally mov- ing at a slow pace when near each other, and frequently seeing that a collision is imminent manage to avoid such by cleverly steering the wheel. When collisions do oc- cur the riders, instead of sprawling on the floor, manage to gracefully dismount by throwing the feet out and catching them- selves. When the wheels are disentangled they mount again and resume their places in the fray. With expert riders the danger ion is reduced to a minimum, and it is a pretty sight to see the ease and grace with which they steer from what ap- pears to be an unavoidable entanglement. Ww ierce in the game, combined with team work, counts immensely, as in every other sport, there are a number of fair and legitimate maneuvers which are often suc- cessfully carried out, ard oftentimes result in a goal being scored. As in every other side endeavors to make as s possible and also to prevent antagonists from making a_ single Tricks that are applicable in foot nd hockey, and also to a certain ex- in basket ball, can be successfully in Bicycle polo. One who is familiar with any or all of these games can eas see the resemblance in the play ‘Though the bicycle may to a rovic> appear to be cumbersome when used in the game, this Coes not appear to be so when used by an expert cyclist and a skillful poloist. One trick of the game that appears to be dangercus is the dashing ahead of an op- ponent and cutting directly across his front wheel in order to get the ball. Unless the oppozent is quick and guides in the r.ght direction a collision is generally the result. The player who makes the bold ride seldom fails to get the ball and shove i nearer the enemy's goal. It is almost im- possible to successfully juggle the ball, and the best move the player can maka, unless he has a clear field to try to make a goal. is to drive the ball over to another play on his own side who is at the opposite side of the hall. Another trick is to drive the ball as near as possible to the opposite goal, and then, instead of directly attempting to make goal, swerve the ball to the opposite side of the ball. where a player on the same side The side that is ng its goal looks for a direct at- \ to drive the hall across its score The sudden driving of the ball to the ite side of the hall has the effect of nonplussing the oppone: recover from their surpr whizzing across their goal s bold trick and may be worke? successfully once during a game, but it is the same thing can be done twic A Neat Tri It frequently happens that when stopping is awaiting to receive it. def i npt » ball is This jthe ball with the wheel the force of the -neussion is sufficient to recoil the ball a foot or more, depending a good deal on the force that was exerted in driving the ball. There is a maneuver in which the player of an opposite side, divining the direction in which the ball Is to be driven, will line his wheel up and catch the ball as it comes. Instead of being satisfled with mply blocking it, he makes a rapid cal- ulation, and drives the ball immediately back, perhaps in a aierent direction, by swerving the front “This is, per- S. the most common trick practiced in » Bame, and requires considerable skill. It frequently happens that the rider who makes this counter drive succeeds in scor- ing a goal, especially if the playing space is smali, tching the other side entirely off its guard, it not anc‘cipating such a move. By way of a balk, a player will some- times make a feint at driving the ball. The other side quickly comes up to intercept the forward progress of the ball. The first rider, instead of driving, lifts his front wheel and does not make the attempt, but rides over to the other side of the ball. ‘The balk is preconcerted, and another rider immediately comes up and drives the ball to thaplayer who made the feint, and he in turn makes an attempt at goal. Very often the goal keeper is off his guard, and the ball passes by him for a score before he is aware of it. ‘There 1s another trick that can be played, but which requires four or five players. It is the forward rush, and while some of the riders afford the protection, or interfer- ence, as it would be termed in foot ball, other riders sandwiched between them take care of the ball and force it forward. The whole side rides close together, and unless the opposing side is able to check the pro- &ress, or get the ball through a fumble, a score generally results. In the interference the riders are not permitted to touch their opponents. —————_ Another Philanthropist. From the Chicago Tribune. “It would put a great deal more money in circulation,” the man in the fur-lined overcoat was saying, “if everybody who owes anything would simply pay his debts. ‘The amount might not be much in any one case, but in the aggregate it would be an immense sum and do more than anything | else to restore confidence and bring good times.”” “That's easy to say, in the shaggy ulster, “but where's a fellow to get the money?’ For instance, it has taken me two whole days to rake enough together to pay my taxes.” es?” rejoined the other. “Great ! What are you doing that for? 1 r pay my taxes till June: —s Criticism. the Detroit Journal. . “Here I have painted a storm at sea. What do you think of it?” “You are very—er—um— “Yes?” “Very much at sea. ——————+e-+—_____ Obstacles. From the Chicago Record. “It is very difficult to court a girl with a wealihy father. ° responded the man playing is fast the cyclists are pretty close | “Yes; or with a handsome mother.” With the exception of the few rainy days the weather has continued to be miid enough for cycling. In fact, riding at thi: season of the year, with the moderate tem- perature, is invigorating to the last degree, and braces the body to a marked degree. | The conditions are exactly similar to fail riding, a season of the year which experts | and physicians declare is the most ideal weather for cycling. The rain of the carly part of the week will prevent any visit be- | ing made to Dickey's at Great Falls. The swollen river and the swift current, which is magnified many times in the narrow | width at the ferry below the falls, will ren- der it impossible for the boats to cro: Even though the water subsided during the week it will take several days more before the current resumes its normal condition at Dickey’s, which in its usual condition is very swift. Altair Cycle Club. The annual banquet of the Altair Cycle Club was held Tuesday evening and far eclipsed all of the previous efforts of the club in this particular direction. The crow: was the largest by far of any previous oc- casion, and this makes the event that much more successful, while with the increase of the number at the festive board the delica- cies served at the table seemed more appe tizing, the entertainment proved more ac- ceptable, the dancing secemed more enjoy- abie, and, in fact, everything else~seemea more pleasant. ‘The banquet at Masonic Hall on 32 was were over seventy-five people present, the fair sex being in the majority. Mr. F. Baker Weaver, formerly president and captain of the club, officiated as master of ceremonies. The president, Mr. Rezia W. Darby, was unavoidably unable to be present at the meeting. The evening's en- tertainment opened with a musical and lite- rary entertainment, in which the foliowing took part: Recitation, Mr. Charles Jones: piono solo, Mrs. Merriam: baritone solo. Mr. Louis Weaver: harmonica and zith duet, Mr. Maurice Walmer; contralto solo, Miss Pauline Barnes: quartet, the Weaver brothers and Mr. Kimball; mandolin solo, Mr. Robert Cox: comic songs, Mr. George Weaver; tenor solo, Mr. Kimball: solo, Mr. Walter Birch. Follov:ing this the guests embled at the table and enjoyed an elaborate banquet. The service was spleniid. The banquet committee, consisting of Messrs. Walter T. Weaver. David L. Reynolds and Allie Craig, did their work in an excellent man- ner and every one was please After th feast toasts were in order, and good re- spenses were made, the most prominent being those of Captain Hanger, Lieutenant Samuel Darby and Mr. Robert Cox. The health of the president was also drunk. At the close of the banquet the large floor was cleared, good music installed and danc- ing inaugurated, which continued until the wee small hours of the morning. Capital Bi. Clap. ‘The smoker of the Capital Bi. Club given on Washington's birthday was a great success, despite the inclemency of the weather for the occasion. The program for the evening, arranged largely through the efforts of Dr. W. D. Wirt, the chair- man of the amusement committee, was very good and passed off pleasantly. ‘There were refreshments in abundance. Pea- nuts, popcorn and wafers were plentiful, as were also tobacco and the old Virginia corncob pipes. Sausages served a “klub kat,” with rolls, proved very petizing. The program was varied and suitable for a 6 affair. Mr. C. Francis Jenkins, the inventor of the phantoscope, gave an extibition of the workings of his inven- tion, which opened the program. _ Billy Emerson followed with a banjo selection and comic songs. The Metropolitan String Quartet, composed of Me: Sallade, Bar- ringer, Higgins and Chandlee, played se- tions from the “Wizard of the Nile” and El Capitan.” Frank Rebstock rendered everal appropriate songs, and Mr. J. B. Shade gave a piano solo. Mr. Guy V. Col- lins gave several humorous recitations, and Messrs. Harry Shackleford and R. B. Bond of the Burnt Cork Club delivered negro melodies. Mr. Paul yon Boeckman gave an exhibition of his strength, using his 6-pound dumb bell. Mr. James Watson delivered a baritone solo, and Dr. Ger- nett Hills a piano selection. Higgins and Sallade gave a guitar and banjo selection, while Mr. J. H. Callahan in his club sketches made a decided hit. There will now be a lull in the enter- tainments of the club. The exhibition of colored photographic work was gotten up by the camera club of the organization, though the event was held at another place. Nothing more is on hand until week after next, when a ladies’ drive whist party will be held, and on the evening of March 19 the closing german of the sea- son will be held. gf ycle Board of Trade. There was a special meeting of the cycle board of trade Thursday evening at the Losekam, at which considerable business of importance was transacted. The meet- ing was called to hear the report of the purchasing committee, which had returned from the New York cycle show, but the committee not being ready to make a re- port, other business was brought up. The meeting, after considerable discus- sion, Gecided to allow members to use their own discretion in the application of clause 1 of the rules and regulations, which reads as follows: “No prizes shall be donated to race meets or affairs of like character; neither shall members contract for adver- tising matter In programs of race meets, concerts, fairs, excursions or in publica- tions having no regular circulation.” The matter is, therefore, left entirely optional with each individual dealer, and he is at liberty as suits his own convenience or necessity. The resignation of Ben. E. Dakin, as the official appraiser of the board, was read and accepted His office being vacant, a discussion arose over rule 13 of the rules and regulations, which reads as follows: “Section 1—There shall be appointed by the board of trade an official appraiser, whose duty it shall be to put a value on all bicycles offered for exchange, giving to the party offering same a certificate, of which he shall also keep a complete record, setting forth the model, serial number, date and value; and no member of the board of trade shall allow more for said bicycle than the price set by the appraiser. “Section 2—All bicycles offered for ex- change shall be referred to appraiser for valuation, but dealers may take in such bicycles as were sold by them at the ac- cepted list price, without reference to the appraiser. R “Section 3—The appraiser shall give the value of the bicycle as it is presented to him, but may suggest that if necessary re- pairs are made the price will vary. “Section 4—The appraisement fee for each bicycle shall be twenty-five cents, to be paid by the dealer making the exchange.” The matter was fully discussed, and it was decided that it was a loss of time and a good deal of inconvenience to send wheels to the appraiser’s while the customer was waiting in the store. This would be espe- cially bad in the busy season, and a mo- tion was made that the entire rule be re- scinded, which would entirely abolish the appraiser’s office. This motion was passed, and henceforth the dealers will be allowed to make their own appraisement of the bi- cycles presented for exchange, under the trading list now in force, the price in no | case to exceed a certain sum. There was an attendance of twenty-one dealers at the meeting. The next regular meeting will be held on the evening of March 11. While the-regulations rescinded were the ones complained about by the local wheelmen, there was not a single member of the committee appointed at a Tecent mass meeting present the ses- sion of the. board, though the chairman of the same was informed of the date of the meeting. League of American Wheelmen. ‘The preparations for the publication of the road book of the local division of the league is being pushed forward as. rapidly as possible.. The cost of publishing the same has been greater than was antici- pated, and every effort will now be made | to have the book out by the Ist of April, or the 15th of that month at the latest. The book will probably consist of sixty- four pages, and will contain in all 114 routes. The directions are most minute, and all routes are made extremely plain for the reading of any one. While most of the routes are local ones, there are some which extend as far north as Boston, to be used for touring, taking in Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York. There is another. route which goes through the Shenandoah valley and ends at Bristol, Tenn. In addition to this, all league hotels are named and also all repair shops along the routes and other information for the yclists, to say nothing of the maps that will go with the book. A sample page of the future book has been placed in time and <n electrotype has bem made, the route being the one to Frederick. The book will be given free to all league mem- bers, while a charge of $2 will most likely | be made to all not members of the organi- zation. Ouring the week the following applica- tions were received: J. Stuart Ball, 15 0th street; William P. Herbst, 2500 Penn- sylvania avenue; George W. Pierce, 105 Sth street northeast; C. A. Goidsmith, 911 Pennsylvania avenue; M. S. Fealy,” 700 New Jersey avenue; Arthur D. Hayden, 1906°16th street; David O. Floyd, War De- partment; Edwin Dunkerly, 1713 15th street; J. B. Kendall, 618 Pennsylvania avenue. Secretary-Treasurer Charles yester mailed thirty-one for membership to the genera} sec On February 1, 1896, the local division stood thirtieth ‘in the list of divisions, with ninety members. On February 1 of this yeaf it still held the same position, with members, the other divisions having experienced a change in member- ship. Since the Ist of this month local division has passed the next state— Arkansas—and is now In the twenty-ninth place. It is now only rine members be- hind Oregon—the next state—and by next week the local division will crawl up to the twenty-eighth place. ‘The next regular meeting of the division will be held on the evening of March 18, the meeting place not as yet being se- lected. E. Wood ary. ———— SOME CYCLE CHAT During the week a communication was received from Messrs. Louis S. Thomason and Charles J. Young, formerly two old Washington cyclists, but now enthusiastic wheelmen of C akin exceptions to an article that recently published r this head. ha letter is self-ex- natory, and is as foltows! In The Star of Saturday, February 6, notice article under the caption of ‘Some Cycle Chat,’ and we dake exception to a note on mileage of Ghicags strects and advantage to wheelmen. You sa is found that the total mileage of streets of “greater Chicago” is equal to 1,002.49, of which 726.01 are codar Plock paving macaGam; 30.75 sheet ‘asphalt, and block asphalt. If half ofthis be taken as suitable for bicycle tiding it will about. suit and he near correct.’ “Leaving out the boulevards, the total mileage of streets is ag follows: Cedar blocks, 753.10; macadam, 345; asphalt, 46,23. Total mileage of boulevards, which cre of an average width of 120 feet, and Kept in faultless condition, and every finest of riding, is 81.24. correction for two old Washington ride: The correction is slizht, and counting everything the total mileage of the streets of Chicago would equal 1,225.77, or 125.28 miles more than it was given ‘credit for in the erticle in question. It is noticeable that nothing is said regarding the quality of riding afforded by the streets, which was really the important point of the lst of Cycle Chat. Kindly make this The attention of the public has been call- ed to annealed tubing over unannealed tub- ing. Some wheels manutactured in this country use this. style of tubing, while cthers do not. The one great advantage of the former process over the latter is claim- ed to lie in the assurance of alignment. The claim is boldly put forward that the frame of a bicycle made of annealed tub- ing will invariably return to its original alignment unless loaded to a fiber stress ligher than the yield point in any case. The people interested in this process, who are most anxious to get their goods on the market, claim that the alignment is assured by the annealing of the frame. They go down to a fine point in the explanation of the matter. They assert that whether or not an annealed frame will retain its align- ment is a dubious question and “depends entirely upon the final result of the various sets in different directions which it pre- viously received from the maximum load in ‘each one of those particular directions. The chance is remote that an unannealed frame will receive or retain alignment.” The White Lot, until recently, was_a fa- vorite stamping grounds for’ the local vheelmen. The impression prevailed that the course measured five-eighths of a mile around, and this is true. Twice around equaled one and a quarter miles. Eight circuits completed exactly five miles, -while sixteen circuits made an even ten miles. The rider who traveled around the ellipse fifty times, as many did, during the time it was free to their use, covered thirty-one and a quarter miles. Where one circuit was made in two minutes it was equivalent to a mile in 3.12, while if a circult was made in 1.40 it was equivalent to a mile in 2.40. ‘The fastest circuit ever accredited of being made on the White Lot was made by Fred. Sims, whose time for the ride was 1.22, which was equivalent to a 2.11 1-5 gait for a mile, pretty fast time when It was made, few miles then being made under the two-minute mark. There have been any number of inyen- tions made in the line of the bicycle. In fact, just at the present time the inven- tors of the country seem to be turning their whole attention to this matter, and it is estimated that fully 50 per gent of the ap- plications filed for patents with the gov- ernment relate directly or’ indirectly to the bicycle. That this‘is the case should not be regarded as strange.” Many of the devices are not patentable,’ owing to the fact that they infringé on inventions for which patents have aleéhdy/been allowed. The variety and style ‘of devices for which patents are sougt{y is great, and em- braces everything now ‘kndwn in bicycle Sonstruction, and lots of ‘thidgs not known. The practicability of many; of the inven- tions can be doubted, but the inventor ts always sanguine, and as he jg the party di- rectly interested, there jg no-reason in the world why any one elsé’sh object. While the rage at prosent'‘is toward the completion of’ an automatic’ cycle, many patents having been filed to cover such in a large number of ways," noting thas been reached that will answét the purposes of the general public. Like the cranks in searca of perpetual motion, the inventors are at work in getting a bicycle construct- ed that will furnish its own motive power, with a minimum of expense and a maxi- mum of pleasure. It is to be regretted that. many of the applications filed for patents embrace only simple novelties, things om (when. pinced on a wheel some pretty and attract the eye of the rospentive pur chaser, but which are mot able to stand much usage. One of the most: peculiar in- ventions ever issued was that of a pneu- matic hub, the inventor of which lived in the “windy city.” A pneumatic tube was inserted’ inthe hubs of the wheel, which, while not affecting the natural rigidity of the regulation” ‘hub, ‘afforded’ a certain amount of resiliency that largely reduged the Hability of puncture. a as ont Apt aetin applications | the | ‘It | mile the very | ast t of the bicycle. The popularity of the cy- cle has not only caused consternation | among the different lines of business, fore- ing physicians to close their offices, book- | sellers to close their shops, jewelers to com- | plain of hard times, confection stores to | wail of slow trade, livery stable keepers to | Snash their teeth, theaters to complain of | the lack of patronage, river resorts to make | the same cry, and goodness knows how | many other business branches to add their tale of wee to the same general cry. Tae latest cry, however, comes from the owners of horses. The bicycle has had the effect, so they claim, of reducing the value of animals from 50 to 60 per cent, and even more. This is too bad. In other words, a horse that was formerly worth $100 is now worth no more than $50, while some wrecks | that could be bought at the bone yard for 330 once upon a time, now bring the full market value, which ranges between $5 and $10. This is not all. Horseflesh has not only decreased in value, but in buggies and carriages of all sorts the same reduction has been caused, and, so it is claimed, en- tirely through the gencral use of the wheel. A buggy tFat at one time was worth $150 can be bought now for less than $75, and the same with the other carriages. It must be some sort of consolation to the livery stable owners to know that after death, unless the style changes and bicycles are in- augurated, it will be necessary to use car- for which he will not neglect to It appears to be only a question of hen livery stable keepers will be classed with the doctor and the undertaker. A self-inflating tire has been invented, so it is claimed, by-an Englishman, It is self- inflating, inasmuch as the air comes in au- | tomatically, and also self-deflating, because the air escapes almost on the same plan in which it comes in. Strictly speaking, the invention is an alternating inflating and de- flating tire, working automatically. _In- stead of the usual endless tube which is common to all or most detachable tires, a piece of tubing of about half the diameter and twice the length is employed. This tube is coiled twice around the wheel in a direction opposite to that of its rotation, and each of the two ends tapers to a point, where it is sealed. These ends overlap one another to the ex- tent of the tapering, and so fill up the | space. A valve of the ordinary kind is fit- ted near one end of the inner tube, and the first coil occupies a position in the hollow of the rim. This part of the tube is thin- ner and of smaller diameter than the other half, which is coiled outside of it and is sit- uated immediately beneath the tread of the tire. An outer cover of ordinary character and attachment ts used. | ‘The automatic inflating is performed as follows: If the tire is empty or has little air in it, the weight of the rider and the machine compresses the tube, more espe- cially the bore of the thinner part lying in the rim, to the end of which the valve is attached. This part is flattened under the pressure, and as the wheel goes around the pressure travels along it, leaving behind a vacuum into which the air flows through the valve. ‘This operation goes on until the tire is fully inflated, being renewed at every revolution of the wheel. ‘The ingress of air follows the flattening of the tire, making the inflation of the tire an automatic pro- ‘The tire works whether there is a puncture or not, and the claim can also be made that it is non-puncturable. The purchaser of a new wheel this year, in addition to having the option of selecting the style of saddle and a number of other ries, will also have the privilege lecting the style of handle bar, wheth- | er wooden or steel, and the curves of the The! 1 said of | the relativ its of the two styles of | Pandle bars, and in this column something has been published. The use of the handle | bars may be a good deal like the use of tires. One year the single tube will be all the rage, and the next year the double tube will be popular, and vice versa. There no gauging the public seniiment, and the side that makes the best showing and ; Sets the most advertising seems to be the side that will succeed. Wooden handle bars are comparatively new, though many of the wheels of this year use them. For the wooden bar it is claimed that the vibration of the wheel is less felt, owing to the yield- ing qualities of the wood, than with the steel bar, and furthermore, while the strength of the two is about equal, the wood heeds no continual polishing, and will not rust. This 1s the claim for the wooden bars. Every one who rides a wheel knows the advantages of the steel bar. One is a certainty; the other is not. ‘The rider should choose for himself. The switching from base ball to cycling is constantly occurring, and the devotees of the wheel are constantly increasing. ‘They bring with them, however, sugges- tions, some good and some bad. A certaii class of sport is run this way: why not all is the gist of their arguments. They seem to forget that what may be food for some may be poison for others. A St. Louis man who has changed from base ball to bicycling makes one or two good sugges- tions. To begin with, he thinks the racing rules need revision; so do a good many others. This particular individual states that the rules of base ‘ball are often re- vised, and so should those which govern cycling. “The idea is to give the public as much Satisfaction as possible,” says the St. Louis man, “relieve the competition of ob- jectionable elements which creep in, and compel riders to conform to certain restric- tions that will lessen the danger of the competition. It does not seem fair to put pacemakers into a race. Riders, one and all, are not treated alike, and unless some means are devised whereby every competi- tor has the same privileges the sport can- rot be clean and healthy. Although but one fatal acicdent is recorded as the result of cycling racing, many of the fast riders cf today have scars running the length of their bodies. A spill on a gravel track may mean the loss of several inches of skin and flesh. This has nothing to do with the pacemaker and cannot be entirely removed unless the most stringent methods are used in punishing a rider whenever he is in- strumental in causing an accident. A scheme was proposed some months ago which necessitated every man in the race setting his share of the pace. This scheme, if adopted, would effect many beneficial changes. For instance, a race is on. Every rider must conform to the rule which states explicitly that during some part of that race he must set his share of the pace. There would be no pacemaker. Every man would fear disqualification un- less he was seen at the head of the bunch during some period of the event. The re- sult would be the fastest, most fiercely con- tested races ever witnessed. To see the men skurrying to the front would lend an element that is painfully lacking at pres- ent.” ————— The Thanks Were Premature. From the San Francisco Argo:aut. During the rebellion the 19th Maine ac- quired a reputation for foraging the coun- try so thoroughly that they were said to have starved the confederacy out. One day they were sweeping along dining on the fat of the land as usual. Another troop was ahead, and between them and the 19th rode Gen. Hancock. As the general was passing one plantation the proprietor came out and hailed his party. “General,” sald he, “I want some sort of safeguard. The troops that have just gone by stole my pigs, lifted my hen roosts and emptied my cellar.” “I am very sorry,” said Hancock. “Yes,” continued the old man, “they stcle everything but my hope of immortality. ‘Thank God, none of them can steal that.” “Don’t be too sure of that,” retorted the general; “the 19th Maine is ‘coming next. ——_+ -___ Rapid Reading. From the Indianapolis Journal. He—“That is just like a woman—reading the end of a novel first. It seems to be the vature of a woman to jump at a conclu- rn.” he—"T didn’t jump in this case. I skip- ped.” ee 2 ‘One Point in His Faver.. From the Chicago Record. “I don’t like your preacher as well as ours. He talks through his nose.” Peg all right. He doesn’t say ‘pro- ‘in. . FOR WOMEN CYCLISTS Dr. W. D. Hamaker advises women using a bicycle to be careful to observe the fol- lowing rules: First, have an easy-riding wheel; second, sit perfectly upright, having handle bar and saddle adjusted to this position; third, have loosely fitting cloth- ing, with no corsets, stays or bands to ob- struct free movement, and do not use gar- ters to support the stockings; fourth, never ride longer than twenty or thirty minutes without getting off and resting a short time; fifth, never ride long enough to be- come exhausted; sixth, never climb hills; seventh, never engage in fast riding or recing; eighth, on returning home take a cup gf bouillon or glass of milk, with a cracker, to replace expended force, and, if not very strong, lie down and rest for half an hour. By observing these simple rules women may derive much pleasure from wheeling, and many will lay up strength and health. The doctor further says: “I am greatly in favor of cycling, both for.men and wo- men, and especially women who will take this form of exercise. A woman will, for the pleasure of the exercise, go out on her wheel when she would be otherwise sitting at home wondering why she has a head- ache or feels so wretched. Cycling, in mod- eration, is one of the best forms of exer- cise. It strengthens the muscles of the back and limbs; it qui¢kens the circulation and affords exercise (so much needed by women) to almost every part of the body.” The fame of Helen Kellar is world-wide. She is a blind, deaf and dumb girl, who learned to give utterance to language by placing her fingers on her teacher's face and throat and then imitating the motions made by her tercher with the same mus- cles. She sings delightfully, reads all the best authors, and recites Shakespeare. Her latest accomplishment is cycling, from which she derives as much joy as any of her companions who are in full possession of their facult Mss Kellar rides tandem fearlessly, and if she keeps on progressing she may be able to complete- ly demonstrate the theory that all the senses are really one at root—touch. Miss Christina E. Yates of Oakland, Cal., is probably the oldest wheelwoman in the United States if not in the whole world. Eighty yeers of age she sits on her wheel S$ gracefully as a woman of thirty, and inds health and pleasure in the popular pastime. Her robust health she attributes to the daily use of her wheel. What is more attractive shaped foot? se an a well- And yet how very seldom we one that is all that it might be were proper care taken of it. Oui of sight, out of mind, is a proverb that may be well ap- plied to the unfortunate foot. It is thrust into unsuitable coverings, it is allowed to grow out of shape and io become hard and rough, when it ought to be well cared for as any other part of the body. There is nothing a man so much admires as a shapely foot on a woman. It excites his admiration quite as much as a pretty face, and far more so ihan a good head of hair, however lovely may be the color. In the use of the bicycle the foot is shown up better than by any other thing a woman may do. A large foot cannot be made little by wearing shoes a size too small for it. ‘The only effect of such a foolish and wrong thing 1s to serlously injure the health. First of all, walking becomes such pain that proper exercise, which is necessary for health, cannot be taken at all. In the second place, not only heart trouble, but varicose veins, and many other painful troubles, will arise from compressing the feet so unnaturally. If you have a small foot, well and good, but if a large one ciothe It in suitable shoes and rest con- tent, even if you do wear No. 9, as a jady friend of mine Joes. D9 not cramp it into a smaller size than is comfortable, as this will cause more breadth «nd no less length. You should choose the shape of your boots and shoes with great care. A narrow foot looks smaller if the shoe is short in the toe; but a short, fat one should have this part made very long. A flat foot needs higher heels than if your instep is very arched. Bloomers on wheelwomen have become so popular in New York that they no longer excite comment, so a newspaper says. Some of the most fashionable young !adies may be seen every pleasant afternoon in the Central Park and other places frequented by cyclists arrayed in this costume. An advantage of no small importance present- ed by this dress is that it enables a lady to slip out of the saddle backwards in an emergency, which is, of cours2, impossible when skirts are worn. There is no other dismount that equals the spring backward for saving one in a tight place. Refections of a Bachelor. From the New York Press. A bachelor maid is a spinster who lives in a city instead of a small town. Some men are “perfectly lovely,” and others are so much more so that you never think of it. A girl is bound to have a wedding of some sort; if she can’t get a man, she says she is wedded to her work. ‘The more a woman talks about the equal- ity of the sexes, the less she [kes to admit that she has to work for a living. ‘The main reason why short skirts will never become popular with women is be- cause then they couldn’t wear out their old shoes. Lonelyville’s Musical Treat. From Puck. Mr. Hermitage (of Lonelyville)—“How were the musical numbers at the Loncly- ville Literary Society meeting, in the schoolhouse, last night?” Mr, Isolate (of Lonelyville, enthusiastical- ly)—“Splendid! Mr. Remotely had a new cylinder of popular tunes for his music box; and, as my music box played some of them, we had several beautiful music box duets!” a| BICYCLE BRIEFS It is understood that an attempt will be made to get William R. Pitman appointed to the position of official referee for the regular circuit race meets, Chairman Gideon being in favor of such. Pitman is known by the pseudonym of “Happy Days,” and in the recent Irvingtot-Milburn ha cap race he disqualified Hadfield, an event that created interest almost over the entire country. The need of an official referee is not disputed, and such an appointment will undoubtedly be made in the near future. Cleveland Moffett began an article in Fe ruary McClure's on the “Marvels of Bicyc! Making,” the ps to continue for seve: months. The first article deals prett haustively with the making of rubber ti as carried on in one big factory, and three or four others are to follow in numbers Arthur A. Zimmerman, who championship long: nm any yho Won more prizes, will be y years of age on June 11, When he joined the professional ranks in 184 he had in the season before won upward of £14,000 worth of pri without a doubt the largest win- nings of any man for one season who has followed the cycle path. It might be admit- ted, though, that at this time the limit of amateur prizes was not as strict or as low as at present, and bic were frequently prizes at amateur meets. In the French military gymnasiums there are bicycles on which soldiers are trained. The experienced riders in the military own their wheels, and the state pays them nalf a franc a day for the Richard Mansfield enthusiastic is wheelman and owns several wheels, which an he uses for different purpose would who has a good stable. field, however, did not have bicycles in thi Tom W. Eck, Johnson and Little | Ed Plummer end: match race between | chael while the former was in is a notable figure in the cycling world. He was one of the old-time riders, and has been in a number of six-day races. Of late years > has taken up training of racers, at wl he has made an excellent success. He gave a charity meet at Syra- j cure several years ago, at which the good sum of $1,600 was realized. Harry Kramer, the Al . as an owner Mr. Mans- any of his city with him. the manager M of John S. with whom arrange a m Linton and Mi- this city, who recently gave Central Hall during the supposed carnival, is said to be one of the finest trick riders in the country. He has a num- an exhibition a {ber of remarkably clever tricks on the wheel. and it is predicted that e will rival the most prominent trick riders in the country today. Though not gen Corbett, who will ally known, James J. battle for the world’s championship St. Patrick's day, is a rider of the silent steed. While with his show at Chicago recently he was presented with bicycle, which he will use during his train- ing for the big fight, calculating to mal twenty miles a day on it. He made a neat speech in accepting the present, in which | he announced that he would surely defeat | Fitzsimmons in the coming battle. Gen. Stone of the Agricultural Depart- | Ment makes the statement that the south shows more progress in the direction of good roads than any other states of the Union, eveepting Massachusetts and New Jersey. The average cyclists would hardly think this. The rumor is going the rounds that Con- way W. Sams of the Maryland division of the League of American Wheelmen will be appointed chairman of the L. A. W. improvement committee, under the admin- istration of President Isaac Potter. Se = How He Got It. From the Chicago Post. “I wonder how he got such a good job,” he said. “Why, don’t you know?” she returned. “When he applied for it he told them that his marriage the following week depended upon his g tting something to do at once.” “And they gave it to him?” “They did.” “How ready people are to help a man to get into trouble, aren’t they?” She didn’t answer. She didn’t feel that she could answer without exhibiting a tem- per that she usually tried to keep in con- cealment. A Professi From Tid-Bits, An impecunious doctor was waited upon at his house by a stranger, to whom, think- ing the visit “professional,” he offered a chair. “Thank you,” was the reply; “but pardon me, my instructions are to take the lot, unless you pay the debt and costs!” Vinit., From Puck. First Artist—“Did you paint Stamp, the tragedian, in that tragic role yet?” Second Artist—‘No; that’s off. First Artist—“What's the trouble?” Second Artist—“Well, he'd assume the pose all right, but he couldn't keep it— there wasn’t any applause.’ pacha Business Rensons, From the Indianapolis Journal. Watts—“I don’t see why a man of your religion should observe the Christian Sab- oir, Acheimer—For burely pizness rea- sons, my tear frendt. I like to haf one day ven I am not selling below cost and losing money.” A Transferred Beauty. Fiom the Fiiegende Blatter. “Everybody says my daughter got her beauty from me. What do you say to that?” “That it was unkind of her to take it from you.”