Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1865-01-21
1nterest'me 5kctfb.
TEl.S pElAMTOEl SKATER

John Philips was, and is one OF the
most accomplished skaters I ever saw
Morning, noon aud night, through every
,kating season, found Jack skimming over
the glossy surface Of the river that ran by
the foot of his garden, or whirling in won
drous curves and gyrations manifold with
in a magic circle Of few yards in diam
cter, whose periphery was closed BY
triple line al admring spectators. He
seemed to live on ice. People who want.
ed to be witty insnuatcd that ice was his
meat and drink, and that he had been
seen making hearty lunch off good
siz d block % it, washed down by a
d aught Of the clear, cold water Of which
i wss composed. | have too often lunch
ed with Jack on cold chicken and ale,
however, in the nooptiae interval OF his
skating, not to know that this was pure in
ycntion.
These were lumber Of cottages along
the bank on each side Of the Philips man
sion, and number of pleasant people liv'
cd in them-amiable old folks, clever lad
and pretty lasscs, all Of whom (saving the
eldc,t, whose skating days had gone by
were more or less familiar with Jack
fayorite accomplishment and many merry
skot;nc frolcs we're held thereon.
Perhaps the most graceful and accom-
pI,hed artistic, after Jack was charm
inc Young damsel Of some seyepteen sum
mers (and winters, for every season mus
and will count in the race of life,)by nam
Fanny Legion, who lived in the co'tag
down the river, nearly half a mile belo"
Philips house. Fanny and Jack oftel
ran ,aocs. and it was a doubtful matte
which was the swiiteg of the two on
straight ahead match, though Jack ia
surpassed her in the arabe>quo, il n ay S
call them, evolutious and Egures of tn
art, Ny readers will ot be surprised t
learn that Jack philips was de'peratel.
smit,eu with Miss Fanny; but it will Civ
them pain / fear to know that she locke
! celdly (eves in summor) upon HE passion
What the reason was never knew no
did he, ] believe. Probably it was simpl
,e one of those mysterious caprlces that seeI
r ;,o;dont 70 maideuhood. At all events
As was fact, and to Jack melancholy on
}, though he bore up under it manlully' an
believing that faint heart never won la
nd lady kept hoping and porseveri"g in b
a, suit with praisworthy ardor'
dn Fanny didn't dislike Jack mind you
20. on the contrary she seemed fond OF h
society, for he was genial fellow and
- thorough gentleman but whenever he
tempted to pass beyond the limits OF s''
pc friendship, and to speak OF his 10y
l. she turned the subject aside with lau'
saying she did not intend to allow a
sod tboucht of love to trouble her till she W
TTIPyy 6ve.apd twenty, at least, and that Ja
's' was too agreeable as friend and col
raj I%I napion to think of changing him in II
he character upon which Jack would 10
his his quite moppsh for moment out 50
). Frightened up and again join IN tho Tau
s%, !. a, and the conversation woald continue
= !, the bantering tone Miss Fanny had }
81 adorted. -
y This was the state oil affairs pelw'
~ them when the events l am about to rel
~ suddenly and essentially modified them
Jack has been kept in town all day''
"o On much 10 his disgust, By some bus'nes
was impossible to delay or neglect
ice was in splendid condition and 'aeS
tom, ,Sc been picturing t, himself the gay seen
y ys.IT on doubtless presented while ho was tied o'
!. to his desk in a musty law cthcc'