The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-03-03
MISCELLANY.
SKATING INTO MATRIMoNY.

What a clear cold day it was the earth all
wrapped In white, sparkling snow-the frozen
river CLEANED in the distance like ribbon OF
steel How the wind shook the cedar boughs
dropping over the stained glass easements oil
Mr.. Arkwrights library; but it could gain no
entrance to the pleasant room. with its crimson
walls and ruby velvet, and polished CRATE.
heaped high with glowing anthracite.
TAP, tap" came softly at the door, and Mr..
Arkwright looked up from his book
"Come inr'
ut is only me, sir! called to see If Miss,
Ariel would like to drive down to the river
and look at the skaters this afternoonw
"Look at themT repeated Mr.. Arkwright,
spontaneously. "Why, she's one OF the per-
formers, instead of being spectator. She
went down an hour ago with Tom Havens."
"Tom Havensr'
Mr.. Felix Fetherbecs whiskered under law
dropped-he fingered nervously at his eye
glass.
"Why, yes-Tom's rather handy on a pair
of skates, and he's been teaching mydaug hter
I'm glad you are here, Felix" added Mr. Ark
wright, ''for to tell the truth. don't exactly
like Ariel to be so much with Mr. Havens
Not but that he's fine, frank young fellow,
but then, you know, he depends solely on his
proiession-O, well. you understand all these
things, Fetherbeer'
- Certainly, sir. said Felix, the perfumed.
sand I've suspected this long while that
you were a little interested in Ariel
Il adore her, sir" said Felix, energeticaly.
"Then off TO the river with you, Quicker
than fash, my boy! or course you skate ~
20 yes, sir-that is, I've never tried, but it's
easy enough, don't doubt.v
Mr.. Arkwright raised his eyebrows rather
doubtfuy, but Felix had disappeared. The
idea of Ariel Arkwrght's skating with Tom
Ravens drove him wild.
There they were, In the center of the merry
multitude Of skaters! Felix recognized them
with vengeful pang as he scrambled down
the slippery bank-Tom Ravens fur cap and
straight, active figure Ariel Arkwright's
golden, floating cnrls and brilliant color
Hanged II don't have some of this fun !"
muttered Felix. Halo, Dormer. do you
know where fellow can raise pair of
skates ?"
You may take mine II you choose" groan-
Ell the Young man addressed, who was limping
toward the shore, rubbing his abraided ell
bows.
am very much obliged to you"
On, not at all n said Mr.. Dormer. think
ing within himself that Felix Fetherbee would
not be SO very much obliged after he became
acquainted with the slippery nature OF the ice.
+" Halo, Fetherbee!, hailed Ravens, in
clear, loud voice, as he shot up To the store.
diant little Ariel. Are you going TO join us ?"
Yes" said Felix, impatiently jerking his
straps" Mr.. Arkwright requested me TO come
down and take charge of Miss Arielr'
Take charge of me!' calculated the young
lady, while Tom opened his black eyes wide
Indeed II isn't necessary l don't wish TO
trouble you, Mr.. Fetherbee"
+" 20 trouble at ALL What does make these
things so shaky?'
It's bapausa vnu have not enrauod fba,,
on, said Ravens. Shall assist you?n
But Felix scornfully rejected the friendly
overtures OF his rival.
You'd better take hold of my hand I'm
afraid you are new to skates.' persisted Tom,
as Felix rose totteringly to his feet " No, /
thank you, said Felix, clutching at the shore
as those treacherous steel runners walked off
themselves, taking his feet with them and land
ing the rest of him on the ice with an unpleas-
ant shock!
"Oh dear" said Ariel, demurey. "I'm
afraid youfte hurtr'
Pray let me help you up said Tom.
I'm = not-a-bit - hurtr' gasped Felix,
spasmodically rubbing the back OF his head, as
Ravens set him skillfully on his feet.
Now you're all rightw encouraged Tom.
Halo, there you 20 againl You're in too
great hurry, Mr.. Fetherbee."
1T isn't mel" gasped Felix. hanging to
pine branch in AFFECT terror. Its these con-
founded slippery skates. 1t may be great fun,
but must confess | don't see it,
"Oh, you'll alter your mind soon," said Tom
Just see how simple it is"
Away he glided, in marvellous curves and
angles, and came up again with sparkling eyes
and flushed cheeks.
"Arie. shall we try it again? ?"
excuse me sir" said Felix, loftily. "Mr
Arkwright wished that should skate with
Miss Ariel"
"As she don't propose skating on the palms
Of her hands or the back of her head, don't
see that your plan is practicable" said Tom
proyokingly, as he and Ariel vanished.
"fIang these skates y said Felix, they won't
stand still. Well, if Tom Ravens can scud
about 10 that fashion, l don't see why can't.
Here goesr'
And Felix, rashly desperate, "struck out"
as he had seen Ravens do. Alas for our he
70 bIindly contident-he came to grief with
his nose prone against the ice
1t isn't agreeable for any young man to have
the damsel of his alteration behold him in
sitting position on the ice, staring hopelessly
around with his hat knocked in and his coat
sleeve badly torn! So Fetherbee felt as Ariel
shot by him, leaning on Tom Ravens arm and
calling out to him:
"Iei papa I'll be at home before dark"
wRIGHrl' 80
No answer--she was gone
Could he but have seen her dashng over the
ice, still on Tom Ravens protecting arm-past
the solemn pine thickets-under the sh,an.s
Of still promontorles-miles flying past like
inchesl Could he have heard Toms whisper:
Courage. love! We are almost there!r
There-but we anticipate.
Sunset glowed redly across the scene as
Felix crawled stiff and sore up the bank
"oh, my head! my bonesw he groaned.