Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-03-11
THE FIRST TIME ON SKATES.
BY A LADY.


am not usually carried away by any new
and fashionable pastime, haweyer alluring 1t
NAV be, but certainly have had = strong pen
chant for skates, only increased by intense long
ing gazngs into shop windows where those
treaeh - delightful articles are for sale, or
tiptoe glances from car windows at the skaters
themselves, who seemed to enjoy il thoroughly
so that at last concluded to actually try the
sport in propria persOHe, and "sill live to write
about it.
Iactually bought pair Of skates, though it
WAS the most difficult thug ever dld-next to
wearing them The obliging shop-keepsr would
insist on my selecting from half dozen differ
ent kinds, as il l could tell, by miraculous in,ui-
lion, the best looking pair, aud paid for them,
sWingng them on my arm, as had seen ladies
in the cars do. Oh, that fiVe dollars
Well after tea l started for the Park My
escort had an idea that could skate-sO had |.
Arrived there, we found an immense crowd dis
persed through the warm building, getting on
skates, chatting sociably, and chatting about,
kaleidoscope fashiOn--some in plain boomers,
With tartan soarfs and gay little caps, with
streaming jauniy red feathers; others in fur
hood Ond common attire; young ladies with long
curls, attended by smart cavaliers, displaying |
The dantiesi feet imaginable, as they we're shod
with steel and aniable mammas talked house
keeping TO each other ut the stoves, while fdter
watched SerRphine from the corner Of his eye,
as she firted with young Ftz Allen over her
muf 1t was pretty, suggestive scene, and
thought skating must be fine thing
When my turn came sat down and submitted
my feet to n colored individual feeling very
much as one does who mounts a dentists chair, |
in happy ignorance of the fate awaiting him
tried 10 act naturally and indiHerenty and,
when the last buckle was adjusted sat uncon-
cernedly looking at the stove, in no hurry TO
move. had dismissed my cavalier, telling him
| would meet him on the ice, though had not
the fnutest idea how should ever get there.
Al last I stood up--I mean l Intended to
stand but the floor stood on was so marrow |
Concluded to sit down again, which did, won-
dering il the clogs our grandmothels wore were
anything like skates.
have no idea, now, how got to the ice. ]
think it was by putting one foot forward, aud
planting il firmly there, then dragging the other
up it. By repeating this finally reached the
ice, und saw my gallant Waiting with q fair
iAmsel in plaid. l concluded TO take him by
surprise; for l felt confident the moment l
touched the ice should be all right. did not
attempt to make q display ut first my akates
were new and rather stiff so / stepped care
fully from the platform, letting both feet come
down at once. sat little to begin with. Then
started forward | knew ought to keep my
arms going to maintain my equilibrium, and
uVluB ulCtiJg Wueu bOlho Dub must nhNc
touched me, for fell fiat on the co, merely saw
ing my Glove of bonnet by "hardsning" both
elbows.
got up raduAlly-indeed, l am not sure
that should have been up yet, all the way,
bnt us u stout lady came past caught frantica-
y at her dress, aud assumed my perpendicular.
Sue looked iercely at me, and have no doubt
electrified q home audience that night by relGt-
lug how narrowly she escaped having her pock-
Al. nj, hx, dF,Iv
My escort now sought me, to say that the
champion Of the World" was going to perform
'circus" on the ice, and volunteered his assist
ance to get ME there. hung on bravely, and
frted my skates as If we were on the best Of
terms, till the band struck up lively air, and
essayed to "take a step" to,ithe music. The
step took me
Ice is cold, particularly at this season of the
year-it is hard, too, aud liable to injure, IL
taken in large quantities; but it seems to have
an attachment for me, and as went down en-
joyed a delightful view OF the starry world, and
1t seemed as II could almost grasp the "dipper"
by the handle. | got up aud concluded to rest
awhile.
The "champion" was starring it Ia Cubas,
on the surface OF an ice theatre his skates were
good for something-he could 60 backwards and
forwards on them, sideways and roundabout,
aud stand on thar toes, and dance, and do
all sorts of gymnastics with them, as easily and
graceful as possible. He attempted to chow off
u novice, but he failed there | could have beat
him at that
think should have staid there till the Fourth
Of July melted the ice, If had kept those skates
on. could not stand on them, nor walk, and
was miserable il sat down, felt like 4 Chinese.
Skating is not my "forte." II may do for
some peope-perhaps they like it; but felt
ike new creature when took them of and
waved" again on terra frma. 1t is comfort
to be able to stand alone, and on good footing
and not feel creation sliding from under you, and
the sky collapsing like big umbrella.
Skates were great institutions when brother
Sam went to see Deacon Holts daughter, lon(
time ago. l was sixteen then-I think mus
be about that now
Well, hope the dear creatures who delight il
that imaginative sport will not catch their deatl
Of cold nor sprain their delicate ankles or spine
beyond repair. think, myself house cleann
ISL much more rational amusement, and Vast
les perilous, but then il isn't 80 fashionable, b.
a good deal.
My Bonnet has soft crown nova ssyl
that's little out of date, but no matter-l al
glad it wasn't my head.
presented my skates to our errand boy, Pal
The moment reached home. II turned som
srset and pronounced them "bully," think.
But this morning capped the climax; | mad
my appearance at nine in a comfortable delan
wrapper, with plaster Mt my side, and my fac
swelled out Of recognition with neuralgia oil
eye was totally oblivious of the light, and had
blue spot under it that made me think of Hes
nan.
felt strong inclination for the hottest side
the stove, and had an admonition Of ague. / d
not heed the door-be when il rang, and whe
Bridgetinformed me that that the ''magazin
man. was 10 the parlor, wished him ut the Nor
Pole or the Skating Pond. But wanted God,
and Harper, so l walked resolutely in, though n
gait was still on the skates--skatery. Co
gracious Young McLanguisb, an exquisi
oil the choicest Broadway style, rose to meet i
with the Ahanne still uncut, in his hand.
was his first call since his arrival and he "
got up dazslingly. His handkerchief waft
subtle perfumes Of frangipanni mine smell
strong of camphor
Well, it's all over. l went to the Park a
sEated-somewhat-It may be very delightf
very healthy, very intensely fashionable bu
iSll to observe it, If there is but one step FRI
.ae sublime TO the ridiculous, l certainly to
hnat step and no other.