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Page 10
To overcome this, a bright-minded individual has invented a new device,
which is certainly the most ingenious we have yet heard of.
It is a "nickel-in-the-slot" bicycle, and probably works somewhat on the
principle of the "quarter-in-the-slot" gas-meter, which for every
twenty-five cents put in, releases just that coin's worth of gas to
illuminate your house.
The bicycle, however, is arranged in such a manner that for every
five-cent piece dropped in the slot it will run exactly five miles.
There is not the slightest fear of the rider forgetting to renew the
nickel when he has ridden his five cents' worth; nor is there any chance
of his cheating the wheel out of an extra mile--or half inch, for the
matter of that.
When the end of the five miles is reached the honest wheel stops dead.
Whether it throws its rider over its head or not is a matter of no
moment to it. It stops then and there, and refuses to move another foot
until it is re-fed with a fresh nickel. Then it will bound along again
as peacefully as before.
The story does not say whether a device in the form of a small red flag
shoots out from any portion of the wheel to give a warning when the next
"lap's" rent is due. But without some such plan we should doubt whether
this kind of wheel would ever become very popular; for while four miles
and three quarters might be ridden with much peaceful enjoyment, the
last quarter of a mile would be filled with terrors that would spoil the
pleasure of the nicest ride ever attempted.
G.H.R.
LETTERS FROM OUR YOUNG FRIENDS.
DEAR EDITOR:
Where can the "pocket protector" and scissors-sharpening
machine, mentioned in THE GREAT ROUND WORLD, be obtained.
MRS. M.F.
NORTHFIELD, MINN., Aug. 4th, 1897.
DEAR MADAM:
We are not able to tell you where the above articles are manufactured,
but you could obtain them through the agency of any reliable,
first-class hardware store. In all such stores they have illustrated
catalogues of the various articles manufactured in their line of goods,
and you should have no difficulty in finding both the pocket protector
and the scissors sharpener.
EDITOR.
DEAR EDITOR:
I have never written to you before, so you don't know my
name. Papa is on the school committee, so you sent him a
sample copy. I saw it, and was very much interested in it. I
am extremely fond of reading and have read at least ten
different histories. And with one exception I like your
little book best of all. You can imagine how well I like to
read when I tell you I am eleven years old, and have read
over seven hundred prose books, and the books of ten
different poets. I could read primary lessons when I was
three years old.
Yours truly,
ELEANOR J.L.
P.S.--I am going to earn money so I can subscribe.
NEWBURYPORT, MASS., Sept. 7th, 1897.
DEAR ELEANOR:
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