The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-12-16
Sflistellalleolls.
From Godey's Lsdy's Book.l
THE PHANTOM SKATER.
by cuANLEs d. 0ARpErTE.

John Phillips was. and is. ono OF the most
accomplished skaters I ever aw, and the
most untiring and devoted cultiyator Of that
graceful art anybody ever saw. Morning,
noon and night, through every skating seas.
on. found Jack skimming over the CLASSY sur.
fcc OF the river that ran by the foot Of his
garden. or whirling in wondrous curves and
gyrations manifold within magic circle Of
few yards IN diameter, whose periphery was
closed nv u triple line OF admiring spectators.
He seemed TO live on the ice People who
wanted to be witty insinuated that ice was
his meat and drink, and that no had been
seen making hearty lunch of good.siIed
block Of it, washed down by y draught OF
tho clear. cold water Of which It was com.
posed. have too often lunched with jack
of cold chicken and ale. however, in the
noontide interval OF his skating, not to know
that this was pure invention.
There were number Of cottages along the
river bank on each side Of the Phillips man
sion. and number Of pleasant peopl, lived
in ,hem-amiable old folks. clever lads and
pretty lasses, all OF whom (saving the elders.
whose skating uays had gone by wore more
or less familiar with Jacks favorite accom-.
plish'nent, and many merry skating frolics
were held thereon.
Perhaps the most graceful aud accomplish.
ed artistic, after Jack. was charming Young
damsel ot some seventeen summers (and win
ters. for every season must and will count in
the race OF lifc), by name Fanny Layton,
who lived in the cottage lowest down the
river. nearly half mile hollow Phillips
house. Fanny and Jack often ran races, and
it wasa doubtful matter which Was the swift.
er Of the two on straight.aheAd match,
though Jack far surpassed her in the ara.
besque, IL may 30 call them, evolutions and
figures Of the art. Ny readers will not be
surprised to learn that Jack Phillips was
desperately sm,,ten with Miss Fanny; bat IL
will give them pain. I fear, to know that she
looked coldly (even in summer) upon his
passion. What the reason was mover knew,
nor did he. | believe. Probably IL was sim.
ply one Of those mysterious caprices that
seem incident to maidepho0d. At all events
it was TACT. and to Jack melancholy one,
though no bore up under it nanfully. and, I,
believing that faint heart never won fair la
dy. kept hoping and pcrscvcring in his suit
with praiseworthy ardor.
Fanny didn't dislike Jack, mind you; on
tho contrary. she seemed fond Of bic society,
for he was genial fellow and thorough
gentleman: but whenever he attempted to
pass beyond the limits Of simple frisndship.
and to speak OF his love, che turned the sub.
ject aside with a laugh. saying she did not
intend to allow any thought Of lore to trouble
her TILL sho was 6vs-and.twenty. at least, and
that Jack was too agreeable a. friend and
companion to think Of changing him in that
character: upon which Jack would look
quite mopish for moment, bot soon bright.
en- up again and join inthe langh. and the
conversation would continue in the bsnter.
ing tone Miss Fanny had just adopted
This was the state OF Affairs between them
when the events am about to relate sudden
ly and essentially modified them. W
Jack had boon kept in town all day. very
much to his disgust, BY some business It was
impossible TO delay or neglect. The Joe was
In splendid condition, and Jack had bccn PIC.
turing to himself tho gsy scenc Il doubtless
presented while he was tied down to his desk
In musty law Office. And. as II to vcx him
the moro, there was q largo space OF dirty
frozen water in tho court on which his win
dove looked. aud ovcry tius bo Slinc,d up