CHAPTER III
HOW I BECAME LOUIS D. MUNGER’S PROTEGÉ
Shortly after this I entered the employ of Louis D. (Birdie) Munger, one of the greatest riders that ever sat in a saddle and who had but recently retired from the track to engage in the manufacture of bicycles in Indianapolis. I was employed in practically every department of his plant.
Mr. Munger’s bachelor quarters in Indianapolis had long since become famous among the bicycle racers and bicycle salesmen throughout the country. Many of them made their home with Mr. Munger while in the city on business. When I was not tied up with tasks in the factory I served as a helper around the house. In this capacity I came to know all of the leading bicycle racers of the country, but what is more I won the admiration of Mr. Munger and he became one of my staunchest supporters and advisers.
I clearly recall meeting Arthur A. Zimmerman, the champion bicycle rider of America, on one occasion that he came to Indianapolis to race. It had been arranged that he would be the guest of Mr. Munger and I was delegated to meet Mr. Zimmerman and conduct him to the Munger home. I recognized my hero from pictures of him that had been printed in the newspapers. While hundreds surged about the train to welcome Mr. Zimmerman to Indianapolis where he was a prime favorite, and a brass band rent the air, while a welcoming committee stood by, I worked my way to the great cyclist’s side. Quickly I gave him my message and Zimmerman smiled as he grasped my hand and asked me my name. He insisted that I ride in the carriage with him to Mr. Munger’s home and he talked with me continuously en route.
His attention centered on the gold medal that I had won in my first race—the ten-mile road race in Indianapolis when I was thirteen years old. He was surprised when I told him of that feat, and even more so as I told him of many other boys’ races since winning that gold medal.
Once in Mr. Munger’s home, Mr. Zimmerman asked his host about me. Shortly Mr. Munger confirmed all that I had told Mr. Zimmerman about my races and a lot besides. “I am going to make a champion out of that boy some day,” said Mr. Munger. At Mr. Zimmerman’s request I sat down to the dinner table with them—a great honor indeed.
While on my way out to the race track on an errand the next day I found myself sitting alongside one of the other big champions of
