Page:St. Nicholas (serial) (IA stnicholasserial321dodg).pdf/357

1905.] wide. Short wooden braces are placed in front of the forward bridge and behind the last bridge



to prevent them from rocking. The front ends of the runners are bent as with the toboggan and held in place by a stout thong or rope attached to the front bridge.

years ago the boys of New England invented a new kind of sled and called it a “single-runner coaster” or a “jumper-coaster.” They sit upon it, keeping their balance with the feet; and it is remarkable how rapidly and easily they go down-hill on this queer-looking affair without toppling over. The coaster is very simple in construction, and any boy can make it from pine or hard wood, the latter being preferable, as it has more body and is heavier.



The runner is 42 inches long, 1½ inches thick, and 4 inches high, curved at one end and cut at an angle at the other. The upright is of wood the same thickness and width and 11 or 12 inches high, so that with the top board or seat and the height of the runner, the coaster is 16 or 17 inches high, and for taller boys it can be made higher. The seat is 10 inches long and 7 inches wide, and attached to the upright with screws as shown in Fig. 8. The upright is cut from wood about 10 inches wide, and with a compass-saw it is shaped broader at the bottom so that it will have a better bearing on the top of the runner than a narrow one would.

From wood two inches wide make two side-plates or braces to run from under the seat down half-way aver the runner, as shown in Fig. 8; and to steady the seat at the top of the uprights cut two angle-brackets and attach them as shown in the figure. A blacksmith will fashion a rudder from quarter-round or thin tire-iron and attach it as shown in Fig. 7. In Fig, 8, A and B, other ends are shown that are merely a matter of fancy. One is as serviceable as the other.



In B an extra picce of wood is built up on the end, and the runner is bent up and over it and attached at the top. The runner can be held on with flat-headed screws countersunk in the iron, and after a few trips the surface of the metal will be bright and smooth.