Portable Merry-Go-Round

1905

Device of Eastern Inventor That Delights the Children

One of the curious things which has been seen recently moving around the streets of the poorer quarters of Philadelphia is a perambulating merry-go-round, which makes an instant hit.

The apparatus is much the same as the larger ones, and is mounted on a tow and substantial truck, with a step in the rear to permit the exit and entrance of the delighted youngsters. Where a stop is made on sloping ground it is necessary to level the apparatus, which is accomplished by means of a telescoping rod fixed in the front. Likewise in the front there is a crank handle, by which the thing is revolved manually, and sometimes it will be connected with a hand organ and the usual amount of music turned out for the delectation of the tots who are fortunate enough to be possessed of the necessary penny which admits them to the interior.

The first one of these appeared on the streets some time ago, and was of somewhat crude construction, being largely the handiwork of the inventor and associates. The novelty proved such an attractive one that it has been decided to make them on a more elaborate scale, and, as stated, they will be leased on a royalty in much the same way as the hand organ business is done at the present time. For this purpose a stile has been added to the machine which is arranged to register the number of children riding, so that a proper division of the profits may be arrived at.