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About The Loup City northwestern. (Loup City, Neb.) 189?-1917 | View Entire Issue (July 24, 1896)
.. i LEARNING TO RIDE THE BIKE. lie starts, He moves. He seems to feel, lie’s perched upon A wriggling eel, —Hike Ha I lads. nis teeth are set. His eyes are bulg ing. Cold lieads of |*>r*plratlon be spangle Ills pallid brow. Kvery mus cle Is ctnse and rigid. It Is rigor mor tis. the beginning of the end'/ No. If Is only the beginning on the hike. Von can see typical cases of It every light In any of the nineteen bicycle acade mics of this city, and there are nine teen different methods of treating the disease. Kvery •’professor” has the t only correct system In the land, and they all effect a cure, so there is no gainsaying their claims. The methods vary, from the “rough and tumble" process, which Is based on the principle that experience Is the best teacher, to the progressive school, In which the pupil Is carefully led through every stage, from kicking the pedals on a dummy machine to cutting the figure eight in a six-foot square. The Fat Man's Instruction. I,et us wati-li the hapless beginner who falls Into the hands of the rough and tumble artist. This method Is especially adapted for one Inclined to embonpoint, and who has taken to the wheel on the advice of the family phy sician. The Instructor Is a cadaverous looking youth, with spindle shanks and dressed In very baggy breeches. He walks the wheel out on the thsir, and while the pupil stands beside It he de livers himself at length on the princi ple of maintaining balance, the maii agement of the pedals and the correct L method of mounting. The pupil, a ^ stout man. whose bald head is only partially concealed by a small cap. Is the observed of all observers In the academy. He Is thinking how he will look oji the wheel, hears little and heeds less. The Instructor braces himself and supports the wheel, while the pupil gingerly climbs Into the saddle. Then he of the spindle shanks clutches a handful of the slack of the rider’s coat with his right hand, and with his left holds the handle-bar and pushes. The wheel wobbles, and the big man alter nately leans far out to starboard and then to port, trying to balance himself, ami filially discovers that lie's safe as long as he rests against the instructor. Ho they go around the ring several times. "Just to get used to the ma chine,” the big man leaning his whole weight against the instructor, whose slender legs lieud beneath the task of supiwuting the rider and pushing the mnchlne at the same time. The “professor" looks on and gives the signal when he thinks the pupil has “got the hang of things.” Then with a few additional “pointers," the Instructor on n Cycle. Instructor, with a revengeful gleam In Ills eye, gathers up h1s strength and. with one vigorous push send stlie pupil forth on his wild cnieer alone. Then the Thml. The stout man lias had. perhaps, some experience of the uncertainties of life, hut never before anything equal to this. The wheel swoops tirst to the left, then to the right, in ever-narrow ing circles. A cold chill creeps up Ills spine as lie thlnkH of his utter helpless ness and realizes wiuit the end must lie. He grips the handle-bars with all his might, in a frantic effort to keep the front wheel steady and straight. There lies all the trouble, so he tugs at the handle bars until lie gets led in tiie face, and the wheel twists, and turns and cavorts ulsiiit. like some ttucauny thing possessed of the devil, lie kicks wildly at the pedals, catching them, on r an average, once in three revolutions, and harking his shins at every miss. Then conies a series ot rapid idtiuges, foliov.etl l>t a Inst wild stvuop of the front wheel anil a "dull, sickening thml." The hlg loin, nud tin wheel lie iulrlettlely mixed tiu the floor. The alert instructor hurr'es to his assist ance. disc o I tingles him .mil straightens tie hniidb* (tar mol sent of the wheel, while the professor explains to the pupil that Ilf "dull, sitkeiiiiig ilttul" Is the e spotlnl nud gtirrctlvc feature of his met hod "Y»u see. every time a mail falls he learn* something Vow, you did pretty well for the first attempt: Imt you turned that front wheel the wrong way tin last time, anti that fact will now Iw impressed on your memory. I tell you, It'a the only way !«• Warn. I don't believe In nurwtug a beginner l.ei him gei right on a wheel and find out hla It (Stakes for himself, and then he ll nets* forget 'em " The stout man feet* n HttW sore, hut encouraged then re mounts the wheel and hohlly start* out for the «e« otol thud He Warns tn fl%e lesson* The rough ami tumid* system, how h ever tuts not many devotees, amt in Inals* to tti* many excellent oyiW noes in this i tty, It must he said that the "less -a1' deoil*.I was Witnessed In a small whool where the 'profess nr." who was formerly a mhktW weight pugilist amt one instructor were abW in leach all the tsiirons sh< studied daring the day, and still had leisure it ms, TW* Ustlesst f suras In all the large pokutiM the begin ners reveiy* a mtwral rasn* «f train lag prxtgrvrasing In **« h lesson to a greater degtee of po.fh les t hut I ever allowed y« rid» slew* until the in *trnctor thinks thev hnve sufficient corn inn lid of the wheel to avoid hard falls and accidents. When he enters the academy for his Initial ride, he is taken into the wheel department, where ail ex|s*rt attendant picks out a suitable wheel and proper ly adjusts seat and bundle-bar. He gives Ids ticket to one of the instruct ors, who turns It In at the desk, where n young man lakes the number of the instructor and the time he begin* the lesson. If the pupil Is n woman arid I* not dressed In a bicycle suit, the attendant produces a number of large safely pins wltb which be deftly shortens Imr long skirt to the suitable length by gather ing and pinning It In a wide pleat around the hips. Men are supplied with trousers guards. Without receiving any Instruction about mounting, tlie pupil Is assisted into the saddle and told to let the ball of the foot rest upon llte pedal* and then push down with her toes, follow ing with the heel. Silting upright and grasping the handle-bars lightly, be Is led around the ring tintII the ankle motion Is acquired, which usually takes It Would Wobble. about live minutes. Then the Instruct or Informs tin- pupil concerning the use of the front wheel telling him to re frain from clutching the handle-liars, to sit easily, with the muscles of the body relaxed, and to turn tin* front wheel In the direction '.u which he Is falling. The Instructor then places his right hand on the right side of the waist, to keep the pupil steady, and with his left hand on the handle-bar, lightly follows its movements, only controlling It when necessary to avoid a collision or a fall. Hy the end of the llrst les son the pupil has generally mastered the llrst great principle of the bicycle, that >>f balancing by manipulating the front wheel. ■.•-■ii-iiI»if Hie Handle liar. The second lesson finds the pupil managing the handle-liar alone, while the Instructor runs alongside, steady ing him with one hand in the back and cautioning him to sit straight and eas ily In the saddle. H.v the end of this lesson an ordinary pupil can ride with a falrly-sleady front wheel, and only needs practice and confidence. To se cure these two essentials, the Instruct or mounts a wheel, and with one linnil on the shoulder or waist of the pupil, rides around the ueademy with him. Tills practice takes away the Irresisti ble desire taht all new riders have to run Into any wheel that comes near, and teaches them to ride freely and without fear. The fourth and fifth les sons are usually devoted to practice in the academy and in learning to mount. Then the pupil is ready to try the road, accompanied hy an Instructor, who teaches him to take car-tracks, “back pedal." and turn quickly and skilfully to avoid collisions. This Is the general system, as fol lowed in most academies, but individ ual professors vary It according to tlielr own Ideas and the necessities of the pupil, some of whom are so exceed ingly awkward that it requires several hours' practice on a dummy machine before they can properly use the ped als. others, again, require to be put on a very heavy machine for several lessons before they can properly bal ance themselves. \\ lii-elliiK to Hand Music In the large academies, open to the general public, where many patrons resort for practice, various schemes have been devised to afford diversion for the experienced riders. A military band Is the most enjoyable adjuncts, and when the music starts the wheels begin to fly at a lively rate. Kven the new rider puts on steam and generally manages to furnish a few thuds for the edification of the spectator before lie gets around the circle. The see saw is one of the newest di versions. This '-oiisists of a platform about three feel wide, pivoted on a aeint-elreular support, about a foot high. One end of the platform Is made a little heuvler than the other, so that biUlM IM »••«•»< Hlifl *1 will always mi <« lb* Tb* rkbi im » m* al that rml u»>hhu iu lb* M-nii-r ami » m-mi «b>*»n lb# in ■ Itu* wtib • tuata u lb* |.b»iU*n»* rba■>*•>« H» |«Mlll< M t'airbln* lb* nut* >• aU». a fbVWftta am.rt fur lb* * bmiuoM A but* nrafbt •M. In wbbb it wm*ba# «f •I**! rimfa ami H* braas t«U» li* |»la. i «l la an* |vmb4 al an anti* «fff iba •ul*> uf lb* nnbiMi ami lb* rblma aa tb*y I mm try iu |»bb MM iba rin« at lb* vrnt uf lira tb>l TW una In 'by arnuiab Iu (»l Iba bmaa rllta w »nl lb4 Iu am ttib«-r bum a ibis fir* 1,1 aiblltbu l« Ilmra aibibb I mu* uf lfl»A mlint »•»! anwa* uf bi cycle polo, are Introduced during the day anil evening, all of which add to the social attractions which bring the riders to the academies, when line weather would otherwise tempt them on the road. The nineteen academies In this city teach, on an average, l.dOo pupils per (lay at this season of the year, nnd one ncadetny has a record of po.ttoo lessons In fourteen months.—New York Her ald. PIKRHK AND .IBtNNB. A Storr of n Devoted Krli-mlshf ■> Re I ween 11 tnl and n Hlral Some time ago. In a quiet little cor ner down on Hue Koynle. I chanced upon a ipici r little Creole creature, whom ihc nelglilsirs called “Mam' selle." If there was ever any name attached, it must have been In prehis toric times, for now there is not even It sign upon the door of the little lutke shop where Mam'selle sells bread and cakes to the neighborhood. Very good bread nnd cakes they lire, too, as I can testify, for recently 1 have found Mn iii'zcllc's cozy simp a very comfort* able resting place fora morning tramp In quest of news, hi this wav I have come to Is* pretty well acquainted with Mnin'zcllc and Pierre, the eat, and Jeanne, the bird. Pierre Is n handsome black and white fellow, wit n noble head, and he and the little canary. Jeanne, were about the same age. Marn'zelle told me. In her pretty patois, how devoted the two pets were to each other, nnd 1 myself saw frequent evidences of their kindly relationship. In a quiet corner of the Huh' shop I had seen Pleere and Jeanne taking their breakfast to gether, from the same plate, and by nnd by, when the eat would lie dozing In the sunshine, the bird would hop nltout him, or cuddle up. snug and comfortable, ... Ills outstretched paws. When Mam'selle was busy so that she eouhl not keep tin eye on the little bird's safety she would swing the cage In the doorway, while Pierre would stretch himself on the floor be neath. keeping guard over his friend. And woe betide the strange eat that wandered that way, Pierre was al ways on the alert for squalls, and if the eat came too near to suit hint he would send Jeanne hustling Into her cage while he chased the offending feline off the street. Just this very thing happened yes terday. for the thousandth time, prob ably, hut, for the tlrst time on record, grief followed the move. Pierre and Jeanne were taking their usual morn ing game In the sunshine of the little shop door, when a brindled stranger appeared on the banquet without. Ft might as a die Jeanne was in her cage nnd Pierre had gone In hot pur suit of the brlndle. The chase was n hard one. nnd Mnm'zcllc says Pierre must have have been gone a long time, but she was busy serving customers,, nnd by and by noticed Jeanne hopping about the counter. Thinking, of course, that Pierre had returned, she took no further notice of the bird. A little later, however, bearing a dread ful commotion out on the banquet, she rap out to witness the sad little trag edy which I, too, arrived Just In time to see, but too late to prevent. Taking advantage of Pierre's protracted ab sence, an ugly tortoise-shell from the next block strolled up to the little shop In search of Jeanne. Finding her out bopping aliout and unprotected, he began siege at once, no doubt. Mam’ zelle and I arrived Just In time to see the tortoise-shell pounce on poor Jeanne, ns she sat perched on the top of the swinging cage, and hear her with him to the pavement. Before either of us could Interpose the deed was done, nnd then In a moment there came Pierre rushing around the cor ner. and ns quick as a flash had taken In the situation. With one fierce hound lie sprang upon the tortoise-shell ami swept poor Jeanne from his clutches. For a brief moment he sat guarding her. but that moment was long enough to tell liim he was too late. Then, letting Main'zelle take the lit tle corpse from under his paw. ho swooped down niton the tortoise-shell. It was only for a little while, but when the battle was over both cats lay dead upon the pavement. Pleere had lain down his life io avenge Jeanne’s death, and the little Mum' zcllu mourns both pets. •THE NKISTKETTEH." She Is Asuln In Evidence In Purls nnd Rumor Connects Her With u Millionaire “The Neustretter,” who stirred the Rots and Champs Klysee loungers with envy of her elovlies and turnouts what time the Vanderbilt divorce was on the tapis. Is again in evidence wth equp ages of the newest and finest, and an other New York millionaire has set the tongues of tout Parts wagging. The funny pari of the affuir is that the millionaire accredited with the present episode Is well |«a*t the half century, uud up to the present time has lived with the regularity of au old time New Kiiglnud deacon, without a suspicion of wild onIm about him. In his youth uud early manhood, when fredaines urc to he expected, he lived tu the odor of respcclgldhty, although a man of great wealth, wide travel and yacht ing pni|H-UMltlvs, and now Ichaliod! Well, humanity is a curious compound nnd men make queer breaks. In this present east* a number of cognate aud connected shiners are chuckling, aud conversely several aristocratic famil ies, whose names are aynouymoua with the straight aud narrow path. are plunged lutu the depths of gloom. Aa KeeeareU- Plaslst After au iuterval of fourteeu years ladob'H has again heard toe plautst T*>’Albert, whose nationality Is so great S pussle lie has a French name sad I waa Istm ta Keutland Hta mother was Fugtlsh. and bis father, a well known dam lug master waa the son of a >ap | tain of French artillery and »f a tier man mother, nknwe aueeaters w«*r* Russian* though educated In Rughind he adopted tier many us Ut country, and wrote savage remarks about He "British but hurts ua." At htu reappear sice ta tendon there waa "Utile ><r no applause w to a ha Aral >wut« mi ths stage, but to-rtiers mended gradually, and hta great* si success was won with ] I (sat s |n*n Juan ' fauiaata. H> the great dlagust of the iffltkA who cannot ! understand why educated audtvuceu. j the world over and groat piaatais like w ice should be to fond sf 1 Seal tin* >ii tk< crtUca says that s#«e toe a full ! grown rousia* be |t Albort la much the same l«<ytali ttgure whhrk ke presented m l'Vi New York l‘oat BICYCLE GIRL ALL RIGHT. Know* a llaap Mora About Thing* Thai She Who Doesn't Hide. The girl who thinks that the great est Joy In life is a gallop over the brown roads of the park in the early mornlni when the trees are trickling with dia mond dewdrops, the dozy birds twitter ing over their coffee and rolls, and tb< squirrels rollicking about on the dew drenched emerald sward, has absolutely r.o sympathy with the maiden who Is content to ride along the boulevard astride a wheel, her nether limbs In cased In bloomers and leggings, her chin decidedly "set” and her eagle eye fixed on some object before her, with a determination lo win or die. All the same the bicycle maid is hap py. She knows she is only one of many, and that her steed Is cheap and cheerful, rather than costly, and easily tamed; that she does not have black smith's bills and other proofs of aristo cratic indebtedness, and that she has to do all the work If she is to get the ex ercise; but nevertheless she Is happy. The bicycle girl knows a great deal more about the country than does the ordin ary city girl who dots not rid'1. Site knows how green the grass Is, and how pretty the sky looks as seen through a vet! of Interlacing leaves and branches. She becomes acquainted with the feathery little people who live In cozy nests and who have very well trained voices, although they don’t seem to think it necessary to ruin an Impresario in order to let the world hear them. She knows that the green velvet sward Is brocaded with white star flowers in day, and that after that come the pink hawthorn and the fra grant trailing arbutus and the hooded violets. She can tell you If It Is going to be a fine day by merely looking at the clouds In the west, and she can guide you home In the evening by look ing at the stars. She learns a good deal besides the proper sort of garters to wear, and the right make of wheel to ride; but, then, some girls prefer horses. — NEW BICYCLE CATAMARAN. Ute«t Invention In In the Wajr of « The latest invention in the way of a bicycle novelty of practical service Is the bicycle boat. It Is different from any other boat, because it Is driven by what may be called a water bicylc, but for the reason that It consists of two boats and Is really a bicyle cata maran. The new boat is the Invention of a man In Detroit, and be says that it Is going to be the biggest succecs of the year. The boat consists of two canoes arranged side by side with a frame similar to a diamond frame of a bicycle between them. The frame is pivoted to the boats and is equipped with an ordinary bicycle seat, a pair cf pedals, sprocket wheels and chain. In place of the ordinary tired wheels are two miniature paddle wheels, which propel the boat through the water. The Inventor Is able to use one or more paddle wheels at the same time. The outfit is further equipped with steering gear and a rudder that works quickly and surely, both of which are operated by the handle Dars. The bi cycle boat Is of such light construction and so low on the water that It cannot be used where the water Is apt to be rough. It has been tried at Detroit In smooth water and worked very suc cessfully. The inventor seated himself Just as would a bicycle rider who was about to Indulge in a spin on the road. With the same motion and effort ex pended In driving a bicycle the boat was forced through the water at a fair ■peed. Th. Irish Was Not Served. A business man of Paris has Just lost a large sum of money under strange circumstances. He was supping with a party of friends at a restaurant. De siring to create a sensation, he visited the kitchen of the establishment, and, handing a number of gold coins to one of the attendants, told him to serve them at the table under the guise of a dish of gold. Time passed and the meal began to draw to a close, but still the expected course did not appear. Eventually the originator of the Idea returned to the kitchen, but discovered to his horror that the bottle washer had vanished. It appears that he was only an extra hand engaged for the busy season, and left without demand ing his wages, taking the money with him. A Fluiiclfr. (Jaggs—’‘Gorkins lives by bla wits.” liaggs "1 didn’t know he was such an able financier." (lagga — ’’Why?” liaggs- "To make a living on so small a capital."—Washington Times. OBAN SWIFT’S CYNICISMS. No wise man ever wished to b# younger. I have known men of great valor cowards 10 their wives. It Is a miserable thing lo llvs la sus pense. It Is llv Ilfs of a .ptder. M'ist sorts of diversion la rues, rhll dr.a and other animals Is an imitation of Bghlias If a man makes Kir keep ia» dls<an> e. Ihs comfort lo that he keeps Ills at the •am# time. We have J USt enough religion to make ua halo but set enough lo moke IM love eg. another Sumo Bvt, under the button of need ing nut prejudges eradicate virtue, honest* had religion The chameleon who lo said to feed upon not Mag but at*, bath, at all ani mate, the nimblest tongue The stoical s lotto of »uppl*ias our waste h* topping off our desires lo llbe lopping off our foot when wo want w lj .,, ^ the rtsiw 't mage the; nut of ti.iiu tic ope ta India. Ivons are total I abstainer* am ■ toiled la the ladter I Army Temper « aeeotdal.es. Not H ■ Jim Dandy. A young man in Rhode Island writes us that he is going to take in the great west this summer and that this town is on his list, providing we think it safe for him to show-up here in a plug hat, red necktie and russet shoes. If that is the rig he intenus to don when he visila us. he’d better not come. This is a growing town—a healthy town—a town which is hound to boom and be come a second Chuago, hut it is no place for Jim Dandies - not yet. Fifty years hence a man can put on link cuff buttons and yaller kid gloves and stalk up and down and swing a goldheaded cane, but such a thing now—well! Pass our town by, young man. Don't come within fifty miles of it! Coe’s Cowgh Dalsoan la the oldi-st »ml best. It will break um si'olrt nulolc, or iusu mo tblua elao. It in always roilablr. Try lb Kditesllmial. Attention of tiie reader it called to the announcement of Notre Duma uni versity in another column of this pa per. This noted institution of learn ing enters upon its fifth-third year with tiie next session, commencing hcpu x, 1 Mini. Parents and guardians contemplating sending their hoys and young men away from home to school would do well to write for particulars to the University of Norte Paine Indi j ana. before making arrangements for their education elsewhere. Nowhere in this broad land are there to be found better facilities for cultivating the mind and heart than are offered at Notre Datno University. The Klop^meot She paused a moment "The die is cast" she murmured. "There is no retreat" Hastily gathering the most necessa ry part of her wardrobe into twenty seven trunks, she dropped them softly Irom the window. Then she descended by the rope lad der and fell into the arms of her lover, who in the gloom of the shrubbery had patiently awaited her. — Detroit Trib une. The Man, 5J And^The Pill. | i |J She was a good woman. lie | > ip loved her. She was his wife. (| I | The pie was good; his wife | ’ !11 made it; he ate it. Hut the " I | pic disagreed with him, and i| i j he disagreed with his wife. 11 \\i Now he takes a pill after pie (| i U and is happy. So is his wife. | Ij The pill he takes is Ayer’a. II Moral: Avoid dyspepsia | > by using i Ayer’s ; Cathartic Pills. ¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥ There is no dividing line. " Bi DON’T FORGET for 5 cents you get almost as much "Battle Ax” as you do of other brands for 10 cents. DON’T FORGET that " Battle Ax ” is made of the best leaf grown, and the quality cannot be improved. DON’T FORGET, no matter how much you are charged for a small piece of other brands, the chew is no better than " Battle Ax.” DON'T FORGET, "Economy is wealth,” and you want all you can get for your money. Why pay 10 cents for other brands when you can get "Battle Ax” for 5 cents? I 19 mrs of C lumbias The Bicycle of experience. A hundred dollars* worth of cer tainty. The 44bicycle of doubt** price saves you little and costs you much. IjPopeMfg^ Co*, Hartford, Conn. 11