Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-06-16
THE MAD SKATER.
a win,er'. Tale for summer Reading.
ny HOMER GREENE.

The broad bosom of one of our Northern
rivers was covered with a smooth sheet Of ice /;
and, ut a point where the stream widens, after
passing through scenes rich in historical inte-
rest, King Winter seemed to have taken espe-
cia delight in spreading a table so attractive
as to draw from out their houses nearly the
whole population of thriving village that
stood upon its banks Men, women and chill
dren had turned out to participate in the de-
lightful sport of skating, or to watch the evo-
lutions Of the skaters.
1t was, in truth, a grand sight, to observe
hundreds of both sexes, dressed in various
costumes, and gliding rapidly over the smooth
translucent surface, while shouts and peals OF
| laughter rang mellow and merry on the still
night air. A great bonfire, kndled on the
ice, sent up its red flames, throwing their
| light far along the river, over the quiet viii
lage nestled near its bank, gistening from a
frosted forest on the opposite side, and render
| ing the scene so wild and ianciiul that the
skaters, as they glided to aud fro, might easily
have been mistaken for the ghostly inhabi-
tants of some supernatural world.
"What splendid skaters !" was the oxcla
nation passing through the crowd, as young
gentleman aud lady made their appearance
upon the ice, coming up the river from below
They were skating hand in hand, now back
ward, now forward, now performing some diff
6eult feat. or whirling around in wide sweep
inc circles.
y Who are they ?" was the question asket
bv many among the spectators.
Kate Clinton and Frank HILL" was tn,
reply. pointing them out as belonging to tn,
two most prominent families in the neighbor
hood, whose splendid mansions stood near til,
rivers bank a little further down.
The two skaters. who had thus unoxpeet
cdly made their appearance, at once becam
the object of universal attraction. and an ad
mirinr crowd soon collected around them.
Observing this and not appearing to lik,
suoh a publie exhibition. the younr lady whis
pered some words in the ear of her compan
ion who. suddenly wheeling. so as to fac
down the river and carving her round alon,
with him. bv a few foreible strokes shot elea
of the crowd. and skated rapidly away from il
A murmur of disappointment followed thcl
departure, while plances of something like dis
approyal were cast after them. as they glide,
oil under the cleaning moonlight.
"Thcy appear vexed at our leaving them.
remarked the younp gentleman. "They dom
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Son9 SM guy tns aS spectafoTs, % anu oa va, "V
! spot where he had left the Young lady ON ii
|. ice.
On nearing it, he saw that she was N
- there. nor anywhere in sight
4 Where could she have gone to9
= II occurred 10 him. that whilo he was o
), tertaining the village crowd. she might ha,
!, retained IL and became borself ono NJ ii
= sncetators
With ALI sneed h, skatod hack aoon ar