The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1869-06-29
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THE MAD SKATER.
A Winters Tale for summer Reading
BY HOMER GREENE.

The broad bosom of one of our North,
ern rivers was covered with a smooth
sheet of ice and, at point where the
streem widens, after passing through scenes
rich in historical interest, King Winter
seemed to haze taken especial delight in
spreading a table so attractive as to draw
from out their houses nearly the whole
population of a thriving village that stooI.
upon its banks, Men, women and chid>
ren had turned out TO participate in the
delightful sport of skating, or to watch the
evolutions OF the skaters.
twas, in truth, 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 bon
fire, kindled on the ice, sent up It's red
flames, thro wing their light far along the
river, over the quite village nestled near
its bank, glistenng from frosted forest
on the opposite side, and rendering the
scene 80 wild and lancillul, that the ska.
ters as they glided to and fro, might
easily have been mistaken for the ghost
ly inhabitants of some supernatural
world
"What splendid skaters !" was the cx
clamaton passing through the crowd,ns a
young gentleman and lady made their ap-
pearance upon the ice, coming up from
below. They were skating hand in hand,
now backward, now forward, now perforp
ming some difficult feat or whirling aronnd
in wide sweeping circles
WHO are lheyf' was the question asked
by many among the spectators.
Kate Clinton and Frank Hil,' was the
reply, pointing them out as belonging to
the two most prominent families in the
neighborhood, whose splendid mansions
stood near the rivers bank little further
down.
The two skaters, who had thus unex.
pectedIy made their appearance, at once
became the object of universal attraction
and an admring crowd soon collected
around them.
Observing this, and not appearing to
like such a public exhibition, the young
lady whispered some words in the ear
her companion who, suddenly wheeling
so as to face down the river, and carryin!
her around along with him, by few for
cible strokes shot clear of the crowd, anC
skated rapidly away from it.
A murmur of disappointment followed
their departure while glances Of s,methn.
-; like disapproval were cast after them
as they glided off under the cleaning moon
light.
They appear vexed at our leaving
them,' remarked the young gentleman
They don't often see such an accom-
pllshed skater as you, Kate,
'As yourself, you mean, Frank.
was your performance that gave then
pleasure. And now think of 1T WASH
very graceful in me to have been th
cause of disappointing them. Suppose yo,
go back and show them little more o
your skill, DO, Frank can stay her
till you return.
Anything to please you, my dea
Kate
And so raying, the young man release,
the tiny gloved hand of his fair partner
and, after few long shots, was once NOR
in the midst of the villagers, gratifyin,
them with the display so much desired,
More than five mInutes were thus spent
during which time the accomplished ska
ter was repeatedly cheared, and greete,
with complimentary speeches. Then be
thinking him of the fair creature he ha
left waiting, alone and in the cold, he wa
about to break of, when the eager spec
tators entreated him to remain momen
longer, and once more show them iigur
that had elected their most enthusiast
applause.
He consented; repeated the fgur
; called for; and then, resisting all furthe
appeal, with one grand stroke he glide
out from among the spectators, and o
towards the spot where he had left tn
young lady on the ice
On nearing it, he saw thar she was n,
there, nor anywhere in sightl
Where could she have gone tot
1t occurred to him, that while he WI
entertaining the village crowd, she migl
have rejoinod it, and became herself OF
of the spectators.
With all speed he skated back agai'
and quartered the crowd in every dire,
ton, scanning the faces and figures,
! But among them he saw neither fei