The union Democrat., 1870-12-10

sAN FRANclsco, Dec. 9Th, Isl

cHap VINO HFSt iulTCQuCCQ Nv HSAS oSNAe ~
months ego has sold out his right on this
coast to the Pacific Coast Roller-sGating Com
pany, recently Incorporated to carry on the
business. He received from said Company
So, goo; and having cleared $4,000 during
his shor, management retires from the husi-
ness and returns to his home, Louisville Ken
lucky, richer man by SIS, goo that when be
left it few months ago.
Let any man succeed in making his husi-
ness popular With the elite of the city and
his fortune is sure to follow. This Grover
did right at the start. Report says that he
issued free tickets to dozen or more of San
Francisco's solid men to attend the Rink and
bring along their wives and daughters, know
ing full we'll that this fascinating amusement
and desirable exercise was sure to eaptivate
the ladies. and that the SRobs Of the city were
certain to follow in their wake. He reason
ed well. For not only do the snobs, but thou
sands Of unassumins and well-helaved peo-
Pile, of both sexes. attend the daily and night
ly assemblies, either as participators or "look'
ers on in Venice"
The roof of the great Pavilion needing re-
pairs, the skating has been held during the
past few days at Union Hall, one of the finest
halls in the State; hut will to-day be changed
beck to the Pavilion. Both of these great
halls will shortly be opened, and still third
Rink.is spoken Of; the demand for skating in
creasng SO rapidly.
Our first viSi: at the Rink was las; Friday
We had Ska:ed ufon ice twenty years ago
back in old Virginia. and was considered a
very fair skater for boy only twelve years
old, and thought of course that we could
Jump into or upon the rollers and roll right
along. We did too One leg struck ont in
one direction and the other in lust the onpo
site. and we very suddenly, if not gracefully,
rolled at full length upon the chalhed floor.
We now found it nearly as hard work to rise
as it was to keep our feet when erect AT
last we succeeded, with little assistance
| from a friend, to regain our feet. But the
! first move we made, down again we tumbled
with still more force than elegance; gather
ing up more chalk and presenting tie appear
ance of a man pulled out of -four barrel.
After another severe struggle and little as
sistance from felow-skater, we once more
regaired our feet, but stood this time motion
less as post, calmly surveying the surround
ings and seriously meditating whether it
were best to attempt to beat retreat or
squat down where we were and then and
there take off the accursed Skates-for we had
become thoroughly demoralized-whe three
beautiful Young damsels, swift almost as the
flight of a frightened dove, swept past, as the
last one gracefully glided by, she perceiving
our situation and wishing, no doubt to en-
courage US to learn TO skate, softly whispered,
''strike out; don't be afraid" That was
enough. We at once determined to learn how
to skate or break our neck in the attempt.
After forty or fifty tumbes. in which we
managed to gather up nearly all the chalk
which necesstated fresh sprinkl;ng of the
foor-we at last got the "hang of the thing"
and very soon managed to move slowly along
without falling. The bell now rings to cease
skating and dispense.
Saturday afternoon we again attended.
strapped on pair of skates. which must GER
tainly have been made to fit No II boots: we
called for a smaller size; hut thought it was
all right and with the assistance of the wall
and benches reached the skating hall. II
was pretty we'll filed, though not at all crowd
ed, with fair and brdre skaters, the "brave''
by no means composed entirely of the sterner
sex, though of course, the word "far' is in
tended to embrace only those of the softer
sex.
We at once Joined in the exciting sport and
was agreeably surprised to find that we had
not lost the chang of the thing" but could
glide along as we'll as the rest. OF course we
could not skate as graceful or ''cut up anv
shines" like experienced hands. but we could
hold them good race around the great hall.
tumbling only when coming in contact with
other skaters, which often occurs to the very
best skaters.
Finding thatwe could navigate" quite east
" without falling we became emboldened and
when appealed to for assistance from beau
tful young Miss (who stood in the center of the
hall, her body vibrating backwards and for
wards, she not knowing W hich way she would
fall, we at once went to her rescue. But it
was only question of time, 1.-THE tumble, for
we had only succeeded in plotting her half
way around the hall when the catastrophv
took place. She fell; SD did we But as she
fell into or lars she had to get up first
Here was rredicament for bashful Young
man
Somehow or other, we both managed to re-
gain our feet and | soon "navirated" her to
a seat: promised tn "rali again" ard bowed
ourself out Of sight among the crowd of
CAV skaters.
Once more we fnd beautiful young lady
in trouble. bot this time an acquaintance;
Miss Aldie Chanin. formerly Of Columbia
She too was just learning bow to skate. OIL
course we rendered her all the assistance we
could without trusting too mucf. 10 cur treach- |
erous skates. Several times we succeeded in |
keening her from falling. But visions of
our recent catastrophy made US more tmid
and careful, and when at last lady behind
tripped ny, and as she did so gave us push.
down she gracefully fell upon the floor In
an instant we had her upon her feet again
and she then had the satisfaction of witness
ing dozen or more ladies, one after another
tumble NOON the floor.
There is hardly moment during the after
moons when the new beginners are practicing)
but what yon see some pretty Miss sitting up
on the treacherous floor.
Our young friend George Sleeper. who is
splendid skater thaving had twelve days
practicel drops in at the Rink every after
noon after office hours and also during the
evenings to take his regular exercise upon
the skates. He rendered valuable assistance
last Friday. to Miss Chaplin and Hiss Emma