Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-06-11
THE MAD SKATER.


The broad bosom of one of our north
ern rivers was covered with a smooth
sheet of ice; and, at point where the
stream widens, after passing through
scenes rich in historical interest, King
Winter seemed to have taken especial
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 children had turned out to participate
in the delightful sport of skating. or to
watch the evoutions of the skaters.
1t was. in truth, grand sight. 10 Oh
serve hundreds of both sexes, dressed in
various costumes, and gliding rapidly
over the smooth translucent surface,
while shouts and peaIs of laughter rang
mellow aud merry on the still night air.
A great bonfire, kindled on the ice, sent
tap It's red flames. throwing their light far
along the river over the quiet village
nestled near its bank glistening from a
frosted forest on the opposite side, and
rendering the scene so wild and fanciful.
that the skaters, as they glided TO and
o, might easily have been mistaken for
the ghostly inhabitants of some super
natural world.
What splendid skaters!" was the ex
clamation passed through the crowd, as
a young gentleman and lady made their
appearance upon the ice, coming up the
river from below. They were skating
hand 10 hand, now backward, now for
ward, now performing some difficult feat,
or whirliDg around in wide sweeping cir
cles.
.sWho arc they?" was the question
asked by many among the spectators.
"Kate Clinton and Frank Hill," 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, httle fur.
Their down.
The two skaters, who had thus unex
pectedly made their appearance, at once
became the object of universal attraction,
and an admiring crowd soon collected
around them.
Observing his, and no; appearing to
like such public exhibition, the young
lady whispered some words in the ear of
her companion; who, suddenly wheeling,
so as to face down the river, and carry
ing her round along with him, by few
forcibIe strokes shot clear Of the crowd,
and skated rapidly away from it.
A murmur of disappointment follow
ed their departure, while glances of some
thing like disapproval were cast after
them, as they glded off under the
cleaning moonlight.
"They appear vexed at our leaving
them" remarked the young gentleman.
''They don't often see such an accom-
plished skater as you Kate"
"As yourself you mean, Frank. 1t
was your performance that gave them
pleasure. And now | think 0! it, il was
not very graceful 10 me to have been the
cause of Disappointing them. Suppose
you 90 back and show them little more
of your skill. Do, Frank; | can stay
here till your return"
"Any thing to please you, my dear
Kate"
And so saying, the young man releas
ed the tiny gloved hand Of his fair part
ner; and. after few long shots, was
once more in the midst of the will gers,
gratifying them with the display SO much
desired.
More than five minutes were thus
spent, during which time the accomplish
ed skater was repeatedly cbeered. and
greeted with complimentary speeches.
Then. bethinking him # the fai. crea-
ture he had left waiting alone and 10 the
cold, be was about to break off, when
the eager spectators entreated him to re-
main a moment longer, and once more
shcw them figure that he had ELECTED
their most enthusiastic applause.
He consented, repeated the figure
called for; and then, resisting all further
appeal. with one grand stroke he glided
out from among the spectators, and on
toward the spot where he had left the
young lady on the ice.
On nearing il, he saw that she was not
there, nor anywhere in sight.
Where could she have gone to?
It occurred to him, that while he was
entering the village crowd, she might
have re Joined it, and became herself one
of the spectators.