Baby Must Stand It

Among the many foolish extremes to which parental fondness runs, none is more insensate than the carrying of infants on bicycles. So long as the machine holds up the bit of humanity is safe, being so faste-ned that it can not fall off. But there is a nervous tensión throughout, as may be clearly seen from the frigh'tened and anxious look on the baby's face. The vibration, too, tells seriously on the immature nerves, while if there be a nip in the air, the motionless child is apt to become deadly cold. All this, however, is as nothing compared with the peril of an upset. Even the most experienced riders can not assure themselves against the "side slipping" when the surface is slippery; all they can do is to save themselves by jumping off the machine before it lies on the ground. But the baby is bound to see the matter out to the bitter end. It's too fond parent can not protect it from a smash, no matter how much he may try. It is much the same in collisions. The adult rider can do something to break his fall, or if with a heavy vehicle he can roll out of the way after coming to the ground. But the unhappy infant has to stand the racket in both cases. We fancy there would be a very limited number of wheelmen on the road if the exigencies of the pastime rendered it compulsory for riders to be fastened to their seats. Perhaps it was that feeling that influenced the cyclist down in Torkshire, who was seen to place his little lad standing on the footrests, face to the front, with both hands clutching the handle bars behind. The child was thus left at liberty to jump off, but had either the footrests slipped down, as often happens, a very ugly accident must lïave happened.