One bright day Archibald mounted his velocipede and rode out into the
long green lane, where he could ride for a long distance without
interruption. He had left his coat in the house because he knew that
riding would make him very warm.
When he reached the lane the velocipede moved along so smoothly that
Archibald was very happy. By the time he had gone nearly a half mile he
was tired and stopped for a rest.
Pretty soon he heard a noise coming from behind, and he wondered what
rider it might be on the same track that beautiful spring morning. He
looked up and saw John Smith coming, riding a large velocipede and going
as fast as he could.
Archibald quickly mounted his wheel and started on a swift run, trying
to overtake the flying John. Before they reached the end of the road
they saw Clara Hempton, standing by the fence with her little
velocipede. Clara watched the boys as they flitted past. She thought
that she could keep up with John, but she was not sure that she could
ride as fast as Archibald.
[Illustration: THE VELOCIPEDE RACE.]
While she was meditating Archibald cried out:
“Clara, you wait until we finish this race, and then we three will go
back together.”
Archibald reached the end first, but John was not very far behind.
When Clara reached them Archibald said:
“Now we will all have a fair start and see who will reach the other end
first.”
So they all started on a line. Archibald knew that he was the largest
and could go the fastest, but, as he had won the other race, he did not
ride this time as fast as he could. He thought this was the right way to
give the others a fair chance.
Clara and John reached the other end of the lane at exactly the same
time, with Archibald a short distance behind them.
John and Clara were greatly delighted because they had won the race from
the big boy, Archibald. Archibald was pleased because they were pleased.
This was not the only time that Archibald had proved that he was a good
and kind boy, and that he was thoughtful of little children younger than
himself.
From this little story of the velocipede race many other little boys and
girls may learn a good lesson, I hope, that will do them good all
through life.