People's Pilot, Volume 6, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 December 1896 — A RIDE FOR A LIFE. [ARTICLE]

A RIDE FOR A LIFE.

A BICYUST'B SPEED BAVeB A FOUR-TEEN-YEAR-OLD GIRL. Bob McCurdy of Philadelphia (he Hera; He Scorched the Distance and Had a Prescription In Eleven Bllnate*—lnteresting Inoident of Thanksgiving Day. A ride for life is an expression frequently heard, bat seldom are the incidents more interesting than in the story of Bob McCurdy’s wonderful ride from Thirteenth and Tasker streets to Broad and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia, which was made in just 11 minutes and which was instrumental in saving the life of a little girl and bringing joy and gladness to the hearts of a grief stricken family. About a month ago 14-year-old Graoe McHenry, who lives with her parents at 1608 South Thirteenth street, was stricken with, typhoid fever. At first the attack was considered a slight One, and the family had little anxiety. But about two weekß ago the disease took a turn for the worse, and as day by day the child sank lower tbe home was filled with sadness. Thanksgiving morning found the McHenry household filled with anxious fear, for the attending physician had pronounced the case almost hopeless. In the afternoon a consultation was held, and three doctors declared that the child could not live overnight Robert MoOnrdy, better known amonff bicycle racing men as Rob McCurdy, boards at the McHenry residence. On Thanksgiving day, when all the rest had given up hope, Bob said he believed the child could yet be saved and thought he knew the man that could save her. After sapper he put on bis hat and oalled in to see a physician friend of his. He told the physician that a consultation had been held in the afternoon and that the ohild was expected to die that night, but he desired him to come around and prescribe for the case as a last resort. The dootor walked quickly around to the house, examined the sick ohild; then turning to MoCurdy he said: “Bob, I think we can save Grace if this prescription is filled and brought back inside of 80 minutes. It must be put up at either of these two stores,” and the doctor handed him the prescription and the names of two druggists in tbe vicinity of Broad and Chestnut streets. Without stopping to make answer McCurdy ran down stairs three steps at a time, jumped on his wheel, which was standing outside, and sped away. It was just 18 minutes to 8 by a watch held in the hand of the sick child’s brother when Bob McCurdy jumped on his wheel. Up Thirteenth street he flew, out Dickinson and up Broad to Chestnut. Glancing into the drug store window, he saw that there were several customers waiting, and, realizing that every second was gold, he sprang on his wheel and rode to the other store, a couple of blocks down Broad street Reaching the store, he ran in, threw down tbe prescription and a handful of coins and asked that the potion be put up at once at any cost. Three clerks dropped the work they were engaged in and turned in to fill the prescription which, if taken in time, was to save a life. In almost less time than it takes to tell it the precious prescription was handed to McCurdy,with no extra charge for the haste, and the rider was scorching down Broad street. At South street a special officer, who was leisurely riding his wheol, saw the scorcher and started after him. But he didn’t know his man, for before the officer had gone a square Bob was three squares in the lead It was just three minutes after 8 when McCurdy reached the steps of the McHenry residence. “Brave old man, Bob!” said the sick child’s brother, who was standing at the door, watch in hand. “You have covered the distanoe in 11 minutes and, I hope, saved our darling's life.” And the hope was realized, for the potion which Bob had brought broke the fever, the ohild rallied, and last night the physician said, “I have full confidence that our Graoe will live and soon be well and strong. ” A touching incident connected with the child’s siokness was the thoughtfulness of a number of her little girl friends. They were to have a party Thanksgiving evening, but late Thursday afternoon, bearing that their friend was going to die that night, they decided to use the money which they had collected for refreshments in baying flowers for Grace’s funeral. But the brave rider and the physician told them at 9 o’olook that their little friend would live, so they got .their sweets and spent a real Thanksgiving evening. Bob MoCurdy is one of the best known wheelmen on the track. His team mate is Charlie Church, and these two have won many a hot race in their time. Little Grace McHenry owes her life to Bob, who is now the lion of tbe house and neighborhood.—Philadelphia Press.