Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-07-19

the ice in the river sent off reverberations like
the reports Of musketry, and under our feet,
as we trod along the pathway, the snow lay
as crisp as potato-starch (excuse the homeli
hess of the SMILEY
had made arrangements that afternoon to
meet skating party in the evening, on the
kennebec. There were to be about fifty in
the party; and we were to have bonfire, and
lots of refreshments, and Ihad been importuned
to invite my cousin Kate. 1t was New
Years Eve, and we were bound to have a
frolic. 1t took me some time to get Kate TO
consent TO go, but she was at last prevailed
upon in consideration that Arthur Kingland's s
sister would GO too. Arthur's sister consent
ed, but finally did not go.
1t was late in the evening before Kate and
got started from home. She had to bundle
up in all her fannels, and furs and bearskins
for foxes and bears were plenty in Maine
in those days-to keep her blessed self from
catching cold, for ii was San eager and nip
ping air, and as have said before, the snow
was eight feet deep on level, and the roads
unbroken across the fields. Over the fields of
snow, however, it was not SO difficult TO trav-
ell as one might imagine, for there had been a
drizzling rain the night previous and a crust
had frozen almost hard enough to bear yoke of
consequently we got along merrily-l
could skate on it, and draw Kate after me in
hand-sled. had on good stout pair Of
moccasins, and was otherwise amply protect
ed from the inclemency of the weather, as was
also my cousin Kate--poor Kate in those
days the only friend had on earth in whom
could confde all my sorrows and trust all my
joys dear Kate who was always SO tender
and kind to me when l was child by others
who was my mild and pleasant companion in
all my walks in the woods or by the rivers
margin-to whom ! read books and made pres
ents-she whom worshipped with boyish
veneration, like one who adores the moon and
knows not why, except that he can never win
her.
With what glee we slipped away from that
lonely freside, and out into the keen air-and
how [ seated Kate upon the sled and started
for the river-only half mile distant 1t
was no load for me TO pull, and l sped over
the frozen plains at rapid rate, and in few
minutes we were standing by the ice-bound
margin of the kennebec, and as l glanced up
the river to my right, red glare of light met
my eyes. A big bonfire had been kinded on
the ice, the flames of which Illuminated the
country for some distance around At the
same moment my ears caught the sound of
voices shouting in high glee, while dim and
spectral figures fitted hither and thither, and
their forms thrown into wierd outlines by the
red light of the fire. Ut would be superflu-
Gus, of course, to tell my readers that tina: same
fire was kindled upon the ruins of about
forty lengths of cedar post and rail fence-but
it was.)
Eager to join the sports as soon as possible
for we were then an half hour behind our
time-Kate took my arm, and we stepped on
the ice. To spite of all the light which the
moon shed upon the scene, the glare Of the
fire, shining so directly in our faces, almost
blinded us, so that we had to shade our eyes
with our hands in order to escape the danger
of air-holes-for the river is always full of
them-although the ice. at the time was from
two feet to thirty inches thick on the average.
We proceeded along very carefully, being
the pilot, and Kate slipped her hand from my
arm TO my hand to give me more freedom Of
action. In her heart, am sure, there was
not tremor of danger, but | must confess
that began soon to experience serious symp-
toms of alarm, although did not communi-
cate my feelings to coz; but at the same time,
| would have sacrificed one-half of my exis-
tence, if by wishing to do SO, could have
transferred her TO the quiet freside at home.
We had not proceeded more than ten yards
from the shore before my right foot broke
through the ice, going in up TO my knee
Kate uttered sharp cry of alarm, and freez-
ing terror ran through my whole system. Yet
my presence of mind did not desert me; and
not wishing to communicate more fright to her
than possible, threw myself full length upon
the ice. At this Kate shrieked just little
the least bit in the world-ana, as natural
consequence, the next moment was by nv side
the act all my own, for | had purposely pulled
her down as fell, feeling and believing that
it was our only chance of safety. Great
Heaven shall ever forget the horror of that
moment 4! knew was over the the most
dangerous part of the river. The current
made boldly in shore, and was running like a
mill-race beneath US. To have got in would
have been certain destruction to us both but
kept my own impressions to myself, and at
tributing the accident TO a crack in the ice,
into which my skate iron had got and thrown
me, | regathered myself as carefully as pos
sible upon my feet, and assisting Kate to arise,
| began once more my progress towards the
skating party on the west side of the river.
Picking our way as carefully as I could, we
proceeded short distance further, when, to
my utmost CONSERVATION, l found that we were
crossing aathin field of ice, so fearfuly trans
parent, that could see, by the light of the
moon, the dark and swiftly rolling waters be-
meath, and felt the ice spring and crackle un-