The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1866-01-18

blihhic was apVuO MY Jdiuo ancdu, anu
as / did not wish to trouble her about
my mishap, | managed to rise on one
knee and get the right foot on the ice
again She seemed to miss me, for she
tnrned her face to the point she had
started from, and as she did so ] bent
over and pulled vigorously at the strap
Of one skate.
guess Minnie knew what was up.
for she turned back, and looking at me
very archly, asked if ] fell.
"Fall. Oh, no, said |. "This con-
founded strap got loose that's ALL"
"0h. is that all ?" and as she said
this saw something in her eyes that
told me she knew I was fibbing.
"Well, get up and take my hand
DO you see that bench near the lower
cornerY Now, well both start for that. /"
knew Minnie could start for II, and
reach it, too; but my confidence was
considerably skaken by the rest took,
and said | would rather try il alone,
until ] could assure mysclf that the
skates we're all right
every well, follow me- said Minnie,
and off she went; describing curves on
the ice with each stroke from right 10
left mustered courage and started af-
ter her, saving the air with my hands,
and calculating on the result of collis-
ion with stout woman who was APP
preaching at the rate Of about ten miles
an hour. | had passed over about
thirty feet OF icc--not with bold strokes,
as Minnie did, but yarily on the right
foot, using the left as a lever to propcl
me forward.
The stout woman passed between me
and Minnie, aud was about to return
thanks for my deliveranec, when | be-
came sensible of an inclination on the
part Of one foot TO get as far as possible
from the other. This was rather en-.
barrassing, for when the feet do not
work harmouiously, particularly on the
ice, there is danger of fall. ! made
desperate effort to harInonize my feet,
and while struggling to overcome the
tendency of my body 70 grayitatc toward
the ice, became conscious that Minnie
was looking at me.
And il secmccd TO be a cruel, iantal-
izing look, without spark Of pity in il
why, Fred" said she, whats the
matter Why don't you come on r
Then she started toward me, doubt
less to help me out Of my difficulty but
| was determined to acquit myself cred.
itably, so waving her aside with one
hand and grasping the air with the
other, | struggled with my departing
feet, and then sat down on the back of
my head. Minnie was quite close to Inc
when | sat down, and as Icxtendcd my
feet, somewhat suddenly, il is true, my
skates struck hers, and in minute
was aware that something soft was rest
ing on me.
When the back Of your head strikes
the ice, your eyes close suddenly. !
opened mine in an instant, and looked
toward my feet TO see what was resting
on me. | saw some curls, furs, bal
moral skirt aud pair of skates that
did not look like mine.
II was Minnie. The sudden contact
with my skates had caused her to fall,
and she took the liberty of making a
cushion Of my body.
Minnie was soon on her feet again,
and though her hair was slightly disor-
dcred, she looked very pretty, for she
was blushing.
Fred, said she, 81 think we had
better go home. The skating is not
good to-day.
"0h, no! am enjoying myself cap
itally."
Minnie was piqued. She would not
stpy any longer; so | Escorted hcrhome,
and then returned to the pond to i'm
praEe myself for the next occasion, and