Evening Star Newspaper, August 21, 1897, Page 23

THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 1897—24 FAR DOWN THE RIVER Wheeling Trip of a Number of Local Cyclists. + — OVER THE SOUTHERN MARYLAND ROADS ee A Night of Hilarity Passed by the Wayside. CAME BACK BY BOAT The Levant Wheelmen of East Washing- ten took one of the most pleasant trips tm- aginable last Saturday and Sunday, and one that is seldom taken by the local cy- clists. The destination was Colton's, Md., tacks on the window pane. Every imagin- able scheme was brought into requisition to deprive the tired ones from getting a brief rest. The rider who got one hour's sleep during the night was fortunate in- deed, and some did not get two minutes’ rest. From Charlotte Hall to Mechanicsville they went by the railroad path. The dis- tance being but four miles and the road good, they did not make a stop, but pushed on for Chaptico. After a brief stop, that was made to fix a broken -chain, they pushed on and reach- ed Dr. Blackiston’s at 10 o'clock. The dis- tance from Charlotte Hail to Dr. Blackis- ton’s is only twenty-eight miles, and the roads were in such good condition that the distance was covered in two hours, with- out fatiguing the riders in the least. The riders found that the roads on the latter part of the journey were far. superior to those on the start, and this fact, which proved a pleasant disappointment to all, made the trip all the more enjoyable and caused the boys to forget the hardships of the day before. As the return home was not to be made until 3:30 o'clock the boys spent the time in rest and recreation. There were some who enjoyed a sail on the Potomac, while others went in bathing. Others still scout- ed the surrounding neighborhood searching for ripe“fruit, though everything was found to be green. ON AN OX CART. on the lower Potomac. There were seven- teen members who took the trip, leaving the city Saturday afternoon, stopping over t at a way tation, and riding on to e resort the next day, returning to the Some of the roads were good, some were bad and some were vile, but de- spite these drawbacks the ride was com- pleted, and the boys declared it one of the most enjoyable of the season. The trip originally scheduleG was to em- brace twe divisions, the first starting short- ly after noon and the second division some- where around 6 o'elo. Instead of mak- irg the two divisions, all of the members started out together. At 2 o'clock last Sat- urday evening the seventeen members left the club house, at 641 Pennsy ave- rue southeast. The party was composed of Lieut, Norris, nm charge; Charley Grace, Horace Fryer, Lee Herrell, Webb Lindsey, Edwin Raab, Will Raab, Will Brearley, George Mockabee, Will Rowe, Tom Carter, Frank Dann, Albert Childs, Roy Wooding- ton, Lawrence Camp, Andrew Marschalk, Ernest Herrell end Robert Weaver. Ricing two alrecst along Pennsylvania avenue to 10th street southeast, thence to the bridge, the beys made for Good Hope hill, which they were compelled to walk. Old King Sol's shiring rays soon began to tel’ on the boys, and the road soon gave every appearance of the passage of a street sprinkler, the perspiration settling every part of the dust. At tne top of the hill the boys willirgly mounted their wheels, and had proceeded cnly a short distance when they were compelled to halt. “Little Wil- tie’ Brearley was the cause this time, his racing tires being most too light for the road. But after an hour of hard work and a@ liberal use of tire tape the defect was remedied and the boys proceeded onward to Silver hl, which they welked. After a An Early Smoke. reaching the tcp cf the hill the boys found the roa? in a fairly good condition to Sur- Tattsville, where arother dismount was for water. Surrattsville, the boys pushed ndywine. The roads from T. é wine were found to be in a bad condition, owirg to the fact that the y had been repairing the roads be- 1 these two points. Of course at Brandywine the boys had to have some lemonade, as their thirst was ething awful. This caused a de- f nother half hour, which » up on the good roads be- E But from the roads were about four inches thick, ple. The condition ary much from this , Where the stop for me of the Alter satisfying their hunger took in not h as it re: ate a whole chicken. the riders the town, and this little burg has uch a waking up since the war ved that night. The natives from round as soon as they learned that Levants were in town flocked to the ry store, where they knew the boys gather to whoop ‘er up. After a llb- application of witch hazel, things to strike a 1 pace, which soon be- » tell on John Brooks and Joe Wood- who are the ideal colored buck and jancers of the county. Accompanied numerable mouth organs and jew's- ang all the popular songs and e fancy steps known to the plan- tation darkey. The fun had only begun, Punctured. however, and livelier thfngs were in pros- pect. Attracted by the music fully forty or fifty colored resident$ of the locality as- sembied at the The music was too great for them, and they cowld not help showing it. Their bodies swayed from one » to another, and finally their feet began Everybody joined in. One little Zed about forty, John Brooks *, fot Out in the middle of the floor emmenced to whoop things up. He = lively, and the others soon became as he. As a result the village store nied a typical plantation dance, and store itself not being large enough, the Porch outside was occupied. Some of the reembers of the club went around the Lore and secured all the banjo and man- th players, and these they lined in t of the doctor’s and started a seren- The music lasted until 4 am. Some { the members were awakened by the Some came out half dressed: others t not dressed at all. Those who to sleep during the ceremony awakened by strings tied to their feet, other practical jokes which fully test- ed their patience. Some tried to sleep out on the jJawn, but a dash of cold water socn dispelled all slumber, for the: others knew full well that the man who got the most sleep would be the first man into Col- ton’s. ‘Tiese who remained in their bed were kept awake by the playing of tick- A special rate for the return trip had been secured, and it was while on the boat that the club quartet distinguished itself and added laurels to its reputation. The quar- tet was composed of Lawrence Camp, Ed- win ab, Horace Fryer and Robert Weaver. They managed to enliven thin; up on the homeward journey, and had the whole boat interested in the extensive rep- ertoire of popular songs and ballads. It was shortly after 9:30 o'clock when the city was reached, and each of the riders, pleased with the trip, but thoroughly tired out by the journey, pedaled his way homeward for one night of solid rest. THE CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP It has been published that the club team championship of the District was not held by any particular club, and would not be decided until at the next race meet. This, it appears, is erroneous, and the Arlington Wheelmen are coming to the front to dis- Prove the statement. At the successful diamond race meet of the Arlington Wheel- men, given August 22 of last year, at the International Athletic Park, one of the features of the meet was a club team race for one mile, which involved the champion- ship of the District. This was the first time that the race had ever been run off, and there was considerable interest and much speculation as to the outcome. There were only two teams in the race, each com- posed of thr2e men. One represented the Washington Road Club and the other the Arlington Wheelmen. The championship trophy was a magnificent silver cup do- nated by Col. Marshall, the proprietor of the Losekam, the value of which is placed at $200. The contest was exceedingly close and exciting, and the Arlingtons won by a close score. At the time of the race it was the general impression that the trophy was to be competed for annually, becom- ing the permanent possession of the club which won it three consecutive times. While this was not given out by the donor, it was the impression entertained by the racing men. Col. Marshall, however, an- nounced that the trophy was to become the permanent property of the club winning the race, and the Arlington Wheelmen now hold it as a token of the skill of its men on the racing path. The coming race meet, which will em- brace a one-mile club team championship event, will have a separate and distinct trophy. What the prize will be has not as yet been announced, but it is understood that a well-known business house has an- nounced its willingness to put up some- thing that will be well worth competing for. The prize will be announced in a few days, but the clubs that intend to place teams in the race, while desiring a suitable trophy, are more after the honor of hold- ing the championship than anything else. ————— LABOR DAY RACES From all indications the cycle races Mon- day afternoon, September 6, Labor day, will be extremely interesting, and the meet cne of the largest held during the year. The management is pushing the meet and widely distributing the entry blanks. As a result, it is expected that a large list of entries will be filed before the date of clos- ing. The meet is only a matter of a fort- night, and the entries to the same will re- main open for fully ten more days. In order to have a good track for the oc- casion the surface of the entire course will be relaid. This work will commence Mon- day, and by the'time Labor day comes the course will have been rolled down as hard as it is possible. The recent heavy rains have washed the old surface considerably, and while considering the matter of repairs it was deemed the best to put on an en- ure new surface. There will be several other improvements made at the park which wil) be noticeable to the patrons on the day of the races. The meet promises to draw over quite a number of Baltimoreans, who will endeav- or to retrieve their bad fortune of a few weeks ago, when the local riders visited the oriele city and took away all the first prizes. It begins to look very much as though there will be no intercity races this year. The failure cf the series cannot be attributed to the local end of the line. [t is the people in Baltimore who are at fault, and it is directly due to them that the races will not be held. Should the Labor day races prove as successful as antici- pated, there is promised that there will be one or two other race meets held before the close of the season, not taking into consideraiion the national circuit races. ——— The Photo-Getter. Frem the Argonaut. The craze for illustration has created a new occupation, that of the photograph- getter. The photograph-getter accumulates a collection of rare likenesses and rents them out at so much a head, to be used for Jllustrating articles. People who are known to be apprcachable are not worth so much im the field as those who are suspected of objecting to notoriety. The pictures of con- spicuous society women who are frequently heard to declare that they would not give their photographs to anybody for publica- tion, are rated in New York at $5, or per- haps as hgh as $7. Those of women whose features have appeared once or twice in proximity to type bring only $2.50, but all have a value. Only pictures of profession- als are valueless to the photograph-getter. They are a drug in the market, no matter how unique or artistic. The photograph- getter should be, if not actualy in the swim, at least close on the verge. Her tive- dollar and seven-doilar photographs can be secured only by consummate diplomacy. “I've turned In six photcgraphs this week,” said a veteran of the craft to a Sun re- porter the cther day; “all never published before. How do I get them? By simply go- ing on my krees to the people and eating whole sliccs of humble ple. Do I write much? Oh, I don’t write at all. .I couldn’t, with all that is on my mind. After all, the writing does not signify; it is the illustra- tion that is the main point.” ———_+e+—______ The Exception. From Harper's Bazar. Mrs. Fosdick—“Did you enjoy the com- mencement exercises, Mra. Perkasie” Mrs. P. “Very much—vi rouch, ir.deed, with the exception of the baccha: nalian sermon.” “ W Last Sunday did not prove to be as good a day for cycling as was expected. The rain had a good deal to do with this, and more than one unfortunate was caught out wholly unprepared for the circumstances. While the day in the city was pleasant erough until early in the evening, it ap- pears from reports received that sections immediately surrounding the District were visited with a copious rainfall. ‘The conjecture of the weather for tomor- Tow places the conditions as cool. It is to be hoped that the conjecture will be veri- fied. This is the season of the year when the cycling is splendid for evening riding. A greater part of last week and a good por- tion of this week the weather has been lovely for riding, while to add to the beauty of the ride the moon almost perfectly illu- minated the roads, making the journey all the more pleasant. The last quarter of the moon was visible yesterday morning, and the next phase is the new moon, which will appear Friday evening shortly after 10 o'clock. Care should be observed in. mak- ing the evening rides at this season of the year. The weather is considerably cooler than during the day, and the change is ex- tremely apt to be felt by the rider. A cold, if nothing more serious, is likely to result urless due precaution is taken. ‘The success of the Washington racers in Baltimore last Saturday was extremely gratifying. The local boys, with one e&- ception, captured every first prize, to the discomfiture of the Oriole racers. This style of work is to be commended, and the Baltimoreans will have a chance to get even on the races which will be held in this city on Labor day. Century Cycle Club. The regular monthly official century of the club will be made tomorrow, leaving the club headquarters at 1420 New York avenue at 6 a.m. Capt. Byrnes expects to take out somewhere between eighteen and twenty-five men on the trip. Messrs. Williams, Anderson and Noordzy, accompanied By Dennis O'Connor of the Queer Wheelmen, started out last Sunday for a century run to Frederick. It was not completed on account of difficulties too great to be overcome. It began to rain be- fore Sligo was reached, but the boys kept on, and pedaled through the mud. They presented a pretty appearance when Fred- erick was reached. O'Connor and Anderson took the train at this place, while Wil- liams and Noordzy reached the city, via. Mt. Airy, on the train. Dick and Maury Posey were at Solomon's Island last Monday, and write that they were compelled to push through sand for twenty-four miles, twelve of which they Were obliged to walk. They are, however, having a fine time in southern Maryland, and will return to the city in time for the century tomorrow. George Wright looms up in Westmore- land County, Va., and is enjoying himself in fishing and taking life easy. He says the bicycle is not of much use down there, as the roads are not in very good condition. Lee Counselman’s work at Baltimore last Saturday was, in the club's opinion, ex- tremely fine. He qualified in all the trials, though unable to capture anything in the finals. It 1s expected that he will surprise the fraternity at the next race meet held here. At the last meeting of the club, Capt. Ed. Hanger, of the Altair Cycle Club. was admitted to membership. The club wel- comes him to the ranks, as he is a good rider. J. H. Washburne was also elected as a member. Capt. Byrnes has picked out the team that will represent the C. C. C. in the com- ing league century next month. With this Tun on hand and the coming road race in the latter part of next month the boys have all they can do to get in shape to make as fine a show as is characteristic of tke century boys on all occasions. Lieut. Billy O'Connor, with Jimmy Mc- Anally, will leave the city for a trip to New York next Sunday morning. They in- tend to wheel it all of the distance, both going and coming. Capt. Byrnes will, on his return from the century tomorrow, leave Washington for a trip on the eastern shore of Maryland. The club had a run the other evening. All of the members wore long trousers, high collars, and Anderson wore a pink tie. It was only to the theater, however, and the wheels were left at home. Little Sam Dodd, the featherweight of the club, will leave here Monday for a week's trip down the Potomac. Frank A. Jones has gone on a yachting trip for a week or more. Noordzy lost his bearings last Sunday while on the road, and the club has pre- sented him with a neat little compass, Capital Bi, Club, There is very little doing in the club at present. No club runs are called, and there is hardly any likelihood of such be- ing done until the return of the present touring party. There will be several runs made tomorrow by different members of the club, taking in a number of places. The touring party, which consists of Capt. Claude J. Allen and Messrs. Joe Leaming and Arthur S. Mattingly, have at last reached Savannah, Ga. The ride from this city to Atlanta was 732 miles, and from the latter place the train was taken for Savannah, on account of the condition of the road: Leaming took a train for Cape May, where he will complete.his va- cation, while the other two took a boat for New York city, from which place they will ride their wheels to this city. From the accounts received of the ride, it seems as though the trip would have been an ideal one in all respects if the weather had remained dry, but this was not the case. There was plenty of rain, which in several instances marred the pleasure of the ride, and forced to boys to take the train. Some excellent stretches of roads were encountered, especially in the vicinity of Chattanooga. One of the humorous in- cidents of the journey occurred at Rome, Ga. When the boys struck the town there was a smallpox scare, and a general order- went forth for all residents to be vacci- nated. The riders managed to escape by shortening their stay in the place and con- tinuing on with their journey. The club members will be home most likely dome time next week. Miles Cycle Infantry. ‘The Miles Cycle Infartry did not make a practice march last week, as was expected, nor is it likely that any will be taken this week. The members are very muoh inter- ested in the findings of the court-martial which was held a week ago: The fate of eight members is at stake. Lieut. R. D. Weaver, who left for New York last week, will be absent from the city for three montks. 2 ‘The command will take its annual rifle Fractice this afternoon on the local range, and it expects to roll up a good score. Lieut. T. R. J. Campbell is practicing for the battadion rifle team, devoting an hour or so each day with the rifle. He is a can- didate for the team that will be made up this season for the Sea Girt contest. Altair Cycle Club. ‘The regular meetiz-g of the club will be held the second Monday in September, at which plans will be made for the annual club races. Messrs. James A.Keliher and Louis Heis- ten have been elected to membership. ‘The proposed club century has been de- clared off, because of the fact that only a few members could be secured who were 1eady and willing to make the trip. The Farmers’ Bicycle Club. ~ The Farmers’ Bicycle Club, a newly or- | ganized association, the members of which all dress like farmers, made its initial run last Surday to Great Falls. The mem- bers left the headquarters at the corner of North Capitol and Jackson streets, under. sion of grotesque clothing, which made them all have a decided hayseed appear- The trip proved very pleasant and caused a good deal of astonishment along Le Droit Park Wheelmen. T. Brooke Amiss, jr.,William Doyle, Har- ry Ellis, Raoul Doyle, Melville Merrill and Edward Ghee of the Le Droit Park Wheel- men left the city during the week for a trip of four weeks awheel. The party went out on three tandems, and will make an cuting that will undoubtedly preve pleas- ant. The train was taken to Philadelphia, from which point the cyclists rode their tandems to Atlantic City. They will make a stay of several days at the place, then return to Philedelyhia, and ride further rorth on their machines, taking in Niagara Falls and a number of other summer re- sorts on the route. Naugaatuck Cycle Club. The Naugautucks have been doing very little riding of late, and things in the club are extremely slow. The members have been doing less work this season than ever before, and in view of the present condi- tion of affairs it is quite likely that the or- ganization will disband, for a time at least, if not permanently. It appears as though there is considerable friction in the rank and file of the club. The club, in its way, has been quite a success, and there would be meny who would be sorry in case it should disorganize for good. Levant Wheelmen. The main topic of conversation around the club rooms since Sunday has been the Colton run, which tired the boys consider- ably. The next long run that Norris says he will take will be to Cycle Cottage. Thos. Pollock did not go, pressing business, he claimed, being the cause. Some know his little book, for, had he gone, there would have been a larger pace between him and Lieut. Norris at Colton’s than there was at Strasburg on July 4. An author of no meah ability has sprung to the front, Lawrence Camp. His latest production fs entitled “‘In a Trance; or, the Unpreached Sermon,”’ which will’ shortly be published in book form. Those who have seen the manuscript claim that it will be a success. a Roy Woodington has proved himself to be one of the strongest road riders in the club, and will be one of the twelve to start for the club in the L. A. W. century next month. mise Rialto CyeleiClub. The regular business meeting of the Rial- to Cycle Club was held Wednesday even- ing at the residence of Miss Fordham, 647 B street northeast s Lilian Hurdle tendered her resignation as treasurer, which was accepted, with, regret, and Miss Grace C. Keefer: waswelegted to fill the va- cancy. ‘ > ic It was decided to,,hold.a “watermelon run” in the negr fupure, and a committee was appointed, tg make, suitable arrange- ments and report at the next meeting. After the cluh adjourhed the members proceeded, to the. residenge of Mr, Jacobs, where a pleasant surprise party. was given, the occasion being the celebration of his twenty-second “btrthiiay, “Thé evening was pleasantly spent” with “tgrds and other games, after which refreshments were served. The affair was thoroughly enjoyed by all present... 25 4 + "The regular club rah Wa: day evening, leaying the residence of Miss Fordhani’ at 7 ‘p:m.' Becdiise of the bad condition of thé roads across the Eastern branch, only @ short run was taken. The next run will be to Glen Echo, meet- ing at the residence of Miss Keefer, 316 2d street southeast, Wednesday evening, at 6:30 o'clock. 3 Ball Bearing Cycle Club. Some of the members enjoyed a run to Leesburg last Saturday, and returned the following evening. ‘ The club entertained a trolley party. to Chevy Chase last Wednesday night, and an enjoyable time was spent. No run is scheduled for. tomorrow. ‘The club expects to be well represented in the century run 'to Frederick next month. SOME CYCLE CHAT ven on Thurs- Some big preparations are being made for the coming national circuit race meet. It is expected that the crowd in attendance will be the largest ever known for a local race meet, and facilities for handling such will be made. If the weather for the day will be clear it is almest an assured fact that a large crowd will be present. The seating capacity of the’ park was taxed at the Decoration day race-meet, and a still larger crowd isi expeoted at the coming meet. In order to afford additional seating facilities, the board of trade will make sev- eral changes at’the park. The space used by the trainers 6n the west end of the pri- vate boxes, in front Of the grand stand, will be torn out, and four rows of seats piaced therein. There is a similar space on the east side of the private boxes, and in this four more rows will be erected for the accommodation of spectators, The two press boxes on either side of the entrance to the track will be closed up and made into three or four private boxes. The cen- tral entrance to the track will be closed up, and no one permitted to go out on the track by this means. These improvements will eve Something like room for 300 addi- tional people. The press accommodations will be located cn the infleld. A large box will be erected close to the pole and directly at the tape. so that the finish of the men can be deter- mined. This is regarded as the best location for the scribes, and they will have a much better view of the m the homestretch than could be obtaingd in the old quarters. The starters and trAjners, will also be lo- cated on the infield..A pen fifty feet long end eight feet wide xdwiktube built just op- Posite their old-quafters, in which all of the men will ke force} td’&tand while races are being run. This (WJIl, prevent the usual crowd which blocked tha.view of those in the private boxes, steodieut on the track and interfered: with ‘the punni cessful meet ina pele ot ease a In the matter of ontr been received. They in and Tom Cooper, who. were here last sea- son. Eddie Miller of Vtheland, N. J., 1s another of the men ‘whoWill race. He has been in this city si ‘imes, and by his Grifin Halstea an 2; host of friends. :. Schade are .the only, two amateurs uwrholihave so far en- Sreeen The management do‘ ret fear a lack of cracks at the meet,* ats tear for cham- plonship honors this.year will be more bitterly’ contested than ever before. standing of the men -at ‘the elose of the season will be determined’ by points: This is-caleulated by the position in which they finish in all races they Paik, This season the record of points is only kept from the five have so far ide Eddie Bald national circuit races. A man may be a suc- monthly bulletin of the bureau of the American republics, the trade in cycles and parts of cycles with the other American republics is on a big increase. The sta- tistics included in the report are for the month of April, and are official. Mexico is shown to be the largest dealer. For the month the total imports amounted to $7,687, while for the corresponding month of last year the amount was only $2,713. Central America shows a great decrease. For April of this year the total value is given as $1,319, while for April, 1896, the value was $5,447. It is hard to surmise the cause of this decrease. It is certainly not due to the competition of English makes of wheels. For Santo Domingo the imports for the month were $1,006, while for the corresponding period last year the total was only $75. In Argentina the imports for this April amounted to $3,023, while for the same month last year the total was only $262. Brazil shows a gratifying in- crease. The total value of the imports is $4,177, against $204 for the same month in last year. The United States of Colombia in April, 1896, imported $672 worth of cycles and sundries,while for the same month this year the total jumped up to $1,205. In the other South American countries the im- ports for April, 1897, were $7,163, against $1,230 for the corresponding month of last year. The total exports for the month this year were $26,370, against $10,694 for April of 1896. Fer the one month alone this shows a gain in trade of $15,686, all of which is in favor of the United States. The competition in the cycling trade is getting closer and closer every day, and a number of schemes have been inaugurated tending to popularize certain makes of wheels or bicycle sundries, with a view of increasing the sales. O1 a short time ago the announcement was made that a broad guarantee would be given by a _cer- tain house on its wheel for one year. Then most of the tire manufacturers announced arrangements for repairing punctures and bursts in tires free of charge. On top of this comes the announcement from a local agency in which the broad statement ts made that all breaks to their machines will be repaired free of charge if presented at the main store. This not only includes breaks to the bicycle that may be due to faulty construction,but includes all damage that may be inflicted to the wheel through accident or collision. There is no limit placed on the time in which the repairs can be made. A man may be riding that particular make of wheel for three or four years, yet the guarantee is good all the time. This is extremely interesting to bi- cycle riders, and it is expected that other dealers will shortly fall in to line. There is a rider in the city who is fre- quently seen out on the Conduit road push- ing the wheel. There is no pedal on the right side of the machine, and the foot is resting on the coasting bar of the bicy=le. At first glance it gives one the impreasion that the rider has met with a mishap, and the pedal and crank broken off. This is not the case, however. The rider has only one good limb, and he does his pushing with this, the other pedal and crank being taken from the wheel. With the one foot he manages to keep up a rattling good pace while on the road, to the surprise of a good many other riders. ‘That it pays to be polite has been exem- plified over and over again, and some c«y- clists who have been using the Conduit 1oad have found such out to their sorrow. ‘The mounted police of the county have been making their headquarters on the road all of last week. Every rider who came down with a lamp out was so informed and told to light It. The great majority did so and were not at all molested. A few others, to whom the same advice was given refused to heed. Some were rash enough to tell the police to go to a rather warm place, while others invited them on to a chase. This was a foolish move. With the mounts they have there is not a single policeman on the road who cannot over- take a scorcher. To add to the discom- fiture of those who are thus caught when taken to the police station an extra large amount of collateral 1s required. Two charges are filed, one for having no light and the other for fast riding, and $15 is the sum required to get out. This is not re- garded as too nfuch in view of the fact that several of the cyclists so arrested were fined the full amount when they appeared for trial in the Police Court. When a cyclist is cautioned by the police out on this road the best thing he can do is to get off his wheel and light the iamp. This advice should be remembered by all. —>—_— The Abridged Bicycle ©. F. Lester, in Truth. Century—The distarce made in one day by an imaginative rider when riding alone. (See Liar and Cyclometer.) Cranks—1. Supposedly steel rods which freee to move when desired, and vice versa. 2. All persons who refuse to ride wheels. Cyclometer—A small instrument operat- ed by turning machire upside down and re- volving front wheel repidly with hand. (See Fake). Dismount—To_ sever connection wheel; may be done in several ways. Expert—One who is able to scare a pe- destrian to death by coming within one- eleventh of an inch of him without nitting tim, instead of running into him and Kill- ing him at once. Fake—An unreliable or untrue statement. (See Century and Cyclometer.) Handie bars—Pieces of steel or wood used by beginrers for testing grip, and by ex- rerts for showing skill by letting them alone. Heretic—Any one who rides a different make of wheel from one’s own. Liar—(See Century and Cranks; Heretic.) Pedals—Two steel devices attached to cranks in form of a puzzle, the object be- ing to kesp feet on both at once. Saddle—Somethirg probably invented by druggists to boom the sale of arnica. Scorcher—A humpbacked, bulging-eyed creature, who says “Steady-y-!” and would — his sweater to church if he ever went there. Suicide—The apparéht object of all learn- ers. Tandem—A device to enable a man to tell if his best girl's back hair is her own an Fae @ sort of pleasure conveyance for ies. Tire—A rubber fhing which is the best in the market and bursts nineteen miles from the nearest repair shop. Dictionary. with also Sleeping on the Eads Bridge. From the St. Louis Republic, In their endeavors to find a cool place and secure much-needed repose these tor- rid nights, the citizens of this sweltering town adopt unique methods and spend the nights ‘in many queer places. Throughout the tenement districts people can be seen sleeping on the sidewalks and in the pas- Sageways between the houses. Even in the more aristocratic and pretentious portions of the city people have been driven out of their houses and are spending the hours of FIFTY-FIVE AND FAT A Grandmother at That, but Wildly Tezoted to Her Wheel. SORRY SHE DID NOT LEARN EARLIER When You Put on Your Short Skirt Be Sure You Go a Riding. CYCLING A GLORIFIED WALK ——.>__. “Next to the wings of a dove, wherewith one may fly away and be ut rest, are the wheels of a bicycle,” explained the elderly matron, as she dismounted from her wheel in response to the amazed expression of countenance of her friend, the scribbling woman, who was gazing at her spinning ac- quaintance from the sidewalk. “Yes, I have gone over to the cycling majority,” she went on, “and what is more, I glory in it—I, beside whom fair, fat and forty even is as a callow fledgling, since I am not only palpably plain, fat and fifty- five, but white-haired into* the bargain. No, now do not begin an insincere demur, for I know quite as well as the next one my age and appearance, but since you seem so astonished, I'l waik with you while I get my breath and elucidate the phenomenon of an old woman on a wheel. “I had felt for some time.” she began, giving her loved mount a solicitous glance as she led It tenderly along the curbstone, “that old as I was, the cycling fever W: coming upon me—childish maladies, you know, not infrequently violently selziag persons of mature years; one of the worst cases of measles I ever witnessed, getting an aged great aunt of mine in {ts toils. “Well, I withstood my fate as long as I could, but fate in the long run, as every one knows, is not to be withstood. Cycling, moreover, is precisely like death and light- ning, for it is likely to strike any person at any time. Therefore, before I knew it. one day I was one of a motley crowd cf old and young, rich and poor, taking les- sons in a cycle school, shortly following which, presto! change! I was gliding along the streets. Dignity Awheel. “It was at this juncture that I tried to justify the seem.ng frivolity, inanity and childishness of a grandmother on a wheel. I have always been a person of dignity, as you well know, and unless I could recon- eile cycling with my personal view of the eternal fitness of things, necessarily, 1 must give it up, and treat the whole affair as I would a disease I had recovered from —a matter of regret that I had succumbed to it, but congratulation that I had con- quered it. “I thought I was not going too far to treat myself to some solitary runs while I thought the subject out—which, by the by, is one of the pastime’s advantages, it gives time for reflection, which a busy woman never gets else. The bicycle is by no means purely the toy that it seems to be upon first glance; on the contrary, it Is all things to all men and women. To chil- dren, indeed, it is only another toy. To young people generally it furnishes a fas- cinating sport, while to persons of my age the bicycle is a pleasant and smooth-glid- ing vehicle which transports us pleasingly down the declivity of age. “I am sure we are the most respectable class of riders; our costumes are uniform- ly conventional; we do not coast; we do not scorch; we do not bend over the handle- bars; our actions generally, indeed, are exemplary. I, for one, at any rate, thor- oughly approve of the wheel for old women, my sole regret in the matter being that I aid not learn to ride years and years ago, when the blessing was first invented, and my only hope, that all my elderly con- temporaries are now learning, if they haven't already done so; for age as a gen- eral thing is a diminishing of pleasures— one by one they slip from us, but now that the bicycle has come, here, at least, is one joy gained for the many lost. You ride, of course?” “No,” confessed the scribbling woman, the while the elderly matron surveyed her pityingly. “No, I am waiting for that de- velopment of the horseless carriage, which even now is said to be rolling toward us down the highways of time, which one can purchase for the price now paid for a wheel.” . Unconventional Pasti “What a negative creature you are, to be sure!” exclaimed the elderly matron, with fll-concealed scorn; “if it is really a fact that the horseless carriage is going to satisfy your ambition in the way of mo- tion! I really did not think it of you. Why, the horseless carriage will no more take the place of the wheel than does a victoria of a good saddle horse—no vehicle, indeed, whereig one is merely wafted along, sup- plying the place of that where the rider's will, besides, is called into requisition. A carriage ride is passive; bicycling is active. If your theory holds good, indeed, owners of broughams and landaus would never have possessed wheels, while, as a matter of history, we all know their name is legion. Then, again, humanity loves to overcome, and bicycling is an incessant overcoming, since one is always striving to maintain the supremacy he has gained over his wheel. Bicycling, moreover, isn’t a ride in the strict sense of the word; it is! rather a glorified walk, and thus beneficial or harmful, exactly as is walking; benefi cial, if done in moderation, and harmful, taken in too great quantities. It is pleas- anter than walking, though, just as a hot lemonade is a more agreeable medicament for a cold than crude quinine, whence comes the temptation to frequently take too much. And though not less proper, it is less conventional than a walk, both as to dress and manner, for if a woman in an ankle-length skirt were to take a 6 o'clock in the morning ramble (an act which alone would certainly elect her as ‘peculiar’ by her neighbors; if nothing worse) and then, after going three or four mileS, sit down on some one’s horse block to rest, or to gaze at the landscape, the residents of that street would think her quite ready for St. Elizabeth's. But ‘with cycling it is all very different, for early as I go, and often as I rest, and old as I am, and fat as I am, no one pays the slightest attention to me. I am allowed to enjoy my peculiarities in peace.” The Thin Wheelwoman. “You have touched the point now,” said the scribbling woman; “cycling, while very well for stout women, is very ill for thin.” “My dear,” replied the elderly tron, oracularly, “ride slowly a few miles every day, climbing no hills, and you will take on ficsh; take long runs at a more rapid pace, and you will reduce that flesh. Such is the beautiful adaptability of the wheel, the friend of all, and like whisky, which, you know, some drink to keep warm and some to keep cool. Why, a woman is very foolish -who does not gauge her riding to her health and strength. - “Ceriainly you ought to ride,” she went on, perceiving that she had scored one with the scribbling woman, and proceeding to follow up her advantage. “There is reaily nothing like the wheel. It makes thin peo- ple stont, and stout people thin; it gives a horizon to those who otherwise would have none; it is both a walk and a ride—two very delightful things most y com- bined; it makes people broader minded—it exercises one all over, as you will readily admit, after your very first while on that point do let me give you a vice. E and several degrees less It really wouldn't be the slightest undertaking to learn to ride a wheel, if one could absolute- ly divest oneself of f z “Also shun crowded first learning, foundation of fs and thereby laying a bicycle face! which is hor. tall softening influences of grease paint and calcium lights. A well-made wheel-dress on a wheel is very chic and suitable; off a wheel—well, come over some morning when I do my marketing, and I'll show you one of my neighbors, also marketing—a very Pretty woman, too, when she exercises her common sense—who invariably orders her daily bread in wheel costume, with no ves- tige of a wheel in sight, for she has walked to market. Climate and Streets Fay “Why, am perfectly astonished that you do not wheel—no I am not, either. People rarely avail themselves of present opportu. nities, or appreciate their immediate bl ings, and, like other Washingt ns. you are not going to realize how well off you are till you sojoura for a while in a cobble- paved town, when, upon your return, you Will have a wheel before night, or 1 am much mistaken. Why, tourists go fairly wild over our streets, which quite accounts for the multitudes of cycie-renting estab- lishments which flourish here. “Then, besides the advantage of there is the additional advantage mate in Washington, since there isn't Week In the whole fifty-two in whic! cannot ride more or less— principal t be going. In conc! . though, I want to make one more statement on cycling in the capital, and lest you think me ‘sacrilegious, please to bear in mind the while two things: Firstly, that I am an active and sincere member of Dr. Blank’s church, and, secondly, that one doesn’t manufacture one’s thoughts, but that they come to one uninvited, and re- main willy nilly. The observation is sim- ply_this: “To dwell on the paradisiacal streets of Washington, and not to possess a wheel, is Uke being an angel in heaven without Wings.” Whereupon this elderly bicycle crank got her particular pair of wings into position ind flew swiftly away, while the serit woman, gazing after her, refle E “It has been sald that “love is enough.’ That statement should be amended in this evolved condition of the world, and be made to read instead, ‘the bicycle is enough,” for surely no wheels ever whirred in poor humanity's head as do the bicycle’s wheels.” streets, of « CHAINLESS WHEELS Wheelmen and wheelmakers are showing a revived interest in efforts to produce a chainless bicycle that shall take the place of the present means of propulsion. The chain and the tire have altefnately held scientific and mechanical attention ever since the bicycle began to command popu- lar favor. A short time ago the tire was thoroughly investigated with the purpose of rendering it less subject to accident, while preserving its resilient or pow transmitting qualities. A happy combina- tion was finally reached and the pneumatic tire today, while far from perfect in point of being puncture-proof, is more satisiac- tory than ever before, and the wheelman is provided with ample means for quick re- pairing when he meets with misfortune. Now the chain is undergoing experiment in order to discover a way to improve it or to do without it. The means of improvement #re necessarily limited. The chain must be composed of many short links, each rigidl fastened to the next as regards longitud! nal strain and yet perfectly flexible in the Way of revolving around a common axis. This flexibility is secured by pivoting each link upon a smooth bearing bar, and the exposure to dust and grime is such as to render these fifty or more friction points in the chain subject to great loss of smooth- ness by reason of clogged and soiled sur- faces. The efforts at improvement have mainly been confined to the reduction of the friction as the chain passes on and off the sprocket teeth in the front and rear Power wheels, while the liability of the chain to become dirt-choked has remained as great as ever. Plumbago or graphite is used, but only to aid the chain in its pass- age around the sprockets. This material does not lubricate the many joints of the chain itself. Oil only can preserve Uie ge! eral flexibility that must be maintained if the chain is to do the maximum of work at a minimum expenditure of power. Yet oil interferes with the free action of the links on the sprocket teeth and causes that too familiar crackling noise that frequently accompanies the use of the wheel. This is t only annoying, but harmful, as it wears the chain and the sprockets unduly. It is only by exercise of diligent care that the chain is kept lubricated, free from grit, and yet easy on the sprockets. This persistent cleaning has created a desire for 2 torm of rng that will trans- mit power econom’cally and yet preserve its serviceability indefinitely. The bevel geai ing is thought by some to accomplish this end, yet it is open to serious objections. This gearing involves the Utrect transfer of power from the feet through the pedals and cranks to a beveled toothed wheel, en- gaging the teeth on « similar wheel set per- pendiculerly. The power then passes back to the rear wheel by the turning of a stout rod longitudinally upon its own axis, and by an arrangement similar to that in front reaches the driving wheel of the machine. This gear can be completely inclosed in a dust-proof case, hd® f, wer parts to create friction than the chain and theoretically affords a_ perfect mode of transferring the power. But the strains c: i by hill climbing and sucden spurts are liable to disarrange the adjustment of the two pairs of gear wheels, which must be exactly in conjunction, and the great torsional strain on the connecting rod tends to destroy its alignment. ‘The advocates of the chain gear contend that it can be made equally dust-proof by inclosure in a case such as that now in general use in England, which surrounds every portion of the mechanism with a pro- tecting device that can be fitted or removed in short order. Thus it may be expected that a merry war wil! henceforth be waged between chains and bevels, and, meanwhile the prices of bicycles, which have long been h‘gher than the public feels to be warranted by the cost of labor ard materials, will probably drop lower and nearer the level to which they are already tending. Then indeed will the era of wheeling become of fuller attainment and soon there will come an apprehension lest the sight of a pedes- trian on the public streets will cause a panic of excited attention. smerrennr oe LOST MINES AND SPRINGS. New Mexico Covered Them Up. From the Topeka Capital. There is a tradition in New Mexico that many mines once freely worked have been Icst. There is anothe- tradition that many springs have also been lost and it is un- derstood that the losses of both mines and springs were brought about by the Indians. New Mexico is sugposed once to have been much more attractive than it is now. The Pueblo Indians arose in revolt on the first full moon of August, 1680. When they had driven the Spaniards down into Old Mexico they set to work to change the conditions so that there should be little temptation to reconquer New Mexico. This idea inspired the filling of mines which had been opened and worked during the former Spanish occupation. The In- dians, with great care, destroyed all traces of many mines, it is said. This is not so surprising as what they did to the springs. It is tradition, 2nd the statement fs com- monly accepted as historical trutb, that in their labors to render the country as uninviting as possible these Indians sup- pressed numerous springs. Such results were accomplished in an ingenious manner. The Indians dug down and cleared away the dirt until they found the crevices of the rock through which the water came. They took the fibrous bark of a of fir tree and tamped it into the crevices As the material became water-soaked if swelled untii it plugged. Nothing remain- ed but to throw back the dirt and to give to the surface the general arid The Indians a temporary expedient. resulted, ac: cording to the present theory, in the per- manent of many sources of water.