Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-02-08
THE GAZETTE.
TUESDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY $, 1853
LADY SKATERS.

LADY SKATERS.
ADVICE HOW TO DoIT--INCIDENTS IN LEARN
ING.--The ladies in the larger cities have
buckled on their skates, and are skimming
over the artificial ice ponds in fine style
Some one, who appears competent to the
task, thus treats the subject-the ladies be,
ing addressed: .s.. -,
"You will make a dash at the ice and will
instantly find yourself fat on your back, with
YOUR heels in the air, and your back combs
smashed to finders against the ice. In this,
however, you will be more lucky than the
youngsters. who have no back hair to protect
their unfortunate craniums. You will recover
from the conclusion by slow degrees, and
having seen any quantity of stars and blue
lights during the operation, will essay per-
pcndicular position
Having got one footunder you, and near
" placed the other in the same position, both
will suddenly start off like shot. and you
will be reduced to the necessity of depositing
yourself plump on the ice, while your toes
will stick up side by side, staring you in the
face in comical manner. You will try
again, and in an excess of caution to prevent
the skates from sliding out forward, will
cause them to take an opposite direction. and
as quick as lightning you will find yourself
flat ON your face-two to one with bloody
nose, or black spot on the forehead that
will spoil all your chances for parties for a
month to come-if you happily escape this
misfortune, you will creep on your hands
and knees to dry land and, somewhat dis
gusted, regain your feet.
Advancing more cautiously this time,
YOU venture out again and regain the middle
0fthe Ice, when, as you begin to exult in
Your proficiency. your feet will commence
to part company gradually, working out
sideways. The agOnizing suspense of such
q moment can only be appreciated by person
who has confidently trusted his weight to
two saw logs in the water and with one foot
upon each, sees them gradually recede from
each other, until he drops helpless into the
cold bath beneath. You come down, as be-
fore, only a little more So and instantly
become convinced that every bone in your
bodyis broken, and that skatingis humbug.
AFTER our lady pupils have gone through
with this experience-th result of their rash
ness-if they will procure the assistance Of
gentleman, and proceed confidently, they
will do we'll The most unassuming efforts
NAV be made at first, which, if well followed
up, will tell, and if, at the end of the week,
the fair proficient is able to stand up straight
without assistance and without the first am
bilious movement towards shake, she will
have done we'll We know it to be so by sad
experience. A large piece of ice will then
be necessary in which to branch out with pro
per assistance, and little time will render
any lady mistress of one of the most delight
full recreations in existence"
TERRIBLE ADVENTURE ON A PRAIRIE.
s. II. Packard, esq.,. Of Iowa, editor and
lawyer. was recently lost in a snow storm be-
tween Sioux Rapids and Fort d odge. About
three hours after he started q heavy snow storm
burst upon him, accompanied by high wind
from the northwest. Knowing the danger OF
attempting to cross those large prairies in
such a storm, he turned back and attempted
TO retrace his steps, but soon found that it
was impossible for man or beast to face the
storm; he therefore proceeded on his journey,
confident that he could ride Ia the next house
40 miles, BY night fall. But his horse having
broken through the ice several times, became
afraid to go upon the ice, and he was delayed
many times ut sloughs until night overlook
him at slough about half way across the
prairie. Here he found it impossible to in
duce the horse to 60 upon the ice. and while
searching for better crossing, the ice broke
with him. and let him into the water above
his knees. He endeavOred to get to the shore,
hut the ice broke at every step, and he struS-
sled on through the ice, snow and water, dis
lance of twenty or thirty feet, before ne came
to firm ice.
lie at once attempted to remove his shoes
and stockings but they were so encased III ice
that it was impossible. Convinced that he
must remain where he was until morning and
that his only safety was in keeping in motion,
he commenced running upon the ice, and
continued to do 80 until daylight the next
morning. when, having succeeded III getting
his horse across the slough, he started ON
foot. az he supposed. towards Fort Dodge
After walking about two miles and hall, he
found he had turned around and was gong
back. lie Immediately retraced his steps
and walked all day, dragging his frozen feet
through snow ankle deep. and at times knee
deep. his horse following him. and was again
oyertaken by night about three miles from a
house. Here he left his horse and started
ON hopins to reach the house in an hour or
two. but he was 80 faint and weary that ne
fell frequently, and was nine hours III walk
ing the last three miles.
Ills sensations during this time. as dcScri'''
ed by him, were peculiar and strange; the
road appeared to be embroidered in mos,
beautiful colors, and he stopped and reached
to pick up specimen several times; sat ISL
cd that his mind was wandering, he endea'
yored to divert his mind from the consldera,
ton of this subject. but in vain; if he looked
,t the side of the road it appeared to bewali-
ed up, and to be covered with hogs. lying on
their backs! -,
Raising himselfhe proceeded, and at length
reached the house of Mr.. WEIGH, about four
o'clock in the morning. He was taken in and
cared for until the arrival OF his friends from
Fort Dodge.
OUR MUSICAL FRIEND.
WEEKLY publication Of SHEET MUSIC
n suitable for the players and singers OF tne
Of Al z full To-