The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-01-23
BIDDEFoRD, MAINE, FRIDAY MORNING,

muttered Felix. 'Hall0, Dormer! 90 you
. know where fellow can raise a pair OF
skates?'
You may take mine you choose groan-
ed the young man addressed, who was limp
ing towards the shore, rubbing his abraded
elbows. , .-
I'm very much obliged to you.' ..I ..l
'Oh, not at ALI 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 ice.
Halo, Fctherbce y hailed Havens, in q
clear loud voice, as he shot up to tho shore,
hand in hand with that dimpled, painting,
radiant little Ariel. Are you going to join
'us?' r
'Yes,' said Felix, Importantly jerking his
straps Mr.. Arkwright requested me to come
down and take charge Of Miss Arel!'
Take charge of me! CALCULATED the young
lady, while Tom, opened his. black eyes wide.
Indeed it isn't necessary. don't wish to
trouble you Mr.. Fetherbce'
NO trouble at all. What does make these
things so shakyT
It's because you have not screwed them
on said IIavens. Shall assist you|
But Felix scornfully rejected the friendly
oyertures of his rival.
You'd better just take hold OF my hand
I'm afraid you're new to skates? persisted
Tom, as Felix rose totteringly to his feet.
No, I thank you,' said Felix, clutching
at the shore as those trcacherous steel runners
walked off of themselves, taking his feet with
them and landing the rest of him on the ice
with an unpleasant shock
.Oh, DEAR said Ariel demurely, I'm
afraid you're hurt!'
Pray let me help you up said Tom.
.I'm-not-a-bit-hurt!' gasped Felix,
spasmodically rubbing the back Of his head
as Havens set him skilfully on his feet.
Now you're all right encouraged Tom
Halo |! there you go again You're in too
great hurry, Mr.. Fe,herbec! =
1t isn't me gasped Felix, hanging to n
pue-branch in abject terror, its these con-
founded slippery skates. 1t may bc great fun,
but must confess don't see il =
'0h, you'll alter your mind soon' said
Tom. 'Just sec how simple it is
Away he glidcd in marvellous curves and
angles, and came up again with sparkling
eyes and flushed cheeks.
ariel, 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
sec that your plan is practicable said Tom,
provokingly, as he and Ariel vanished.
Hang these skates!' said Felix 'they
won't stand still Well, il Tom Havens can
scud about in that fashion, don't see why |
can't Here goes =
And Felix. rashly desperate. 'struck out
MS he had seen Havens do. Alas! for our be-
ing blindly confdent-he came to grief with
his nose promo against the ice
1t isn't agreeable for any young man to
have tho damsel of his alteration behold him
in a sitting posture on the ice, staring hope
lessly around, with his hat knocked in, and
his coat sleeves badly torn! so Fetherbec felt
as Ariel shot by him, leaning on Tom Ha'
vens' arm, and calling out
Tell papa I'll bo home before dark y
Miss Arkwright!' he shouted. Mss
ARXwRIoHT y
No answer-she was gone
Could he but have seen her dashing over
the ice still on Tom Havcns' protecting arm
past the solemn pine thickets-undcr the
shadows of still promontories-miles flying
past like inches could no have heard Toms
whisper:
'Courage, love! We are almost there y
'There.-but wo anticipate
Sunset glowcd redly across the scene, as
Felix crawlcd stiff and sore up the bank,
'0h. my hcld my bones " he groaned-
Take your skates, Dormcr! Ishan't borrow
'em again, you may depend =
well, where's Ariel p said Mr.. Arkwright,
as Felix stumbled into tho library.
Il don. know sir but ono thing do
know
The extent Of Mr.. Fcthcrbee's knowledge
remained mystery, for ut the same moment
another door opened, and Ariel trippcd in,
all blushing, followed BY Tom the audacious.
Papa you will forgive me, l know
There's no help for II now = added Tom.
.Eh = calculated Mr.. Arkwright.
Papa I'm married to Tom. We skated
down to the minister's-and-' tr
Then there came shower Of tears-then
kisses-and, ultimately FREQ pardon, of
course! And not until, this stage Of affairs
was reached, did they remark the absence Of
Mr.. Fetherbec.
II was just as we'll, however--since Tom
and Ariel had skated into matrimony. his
little comedy was played out
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~The 5th Maine numbers over 400 men