The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1870-01-20
obs SaBY LoNGFELtow.

4 The broad bosom of our northern rivers
was covered with a smooth sheet Of ice and
at point where the stream widens after pass.
inc through scenes rich in historical inter
est King " inter seemed to have taken aespe-
cial delight in spreading table so attractive
as to draw from out their houses nearly the
whole population of q thriving village that
stood upon its banks. Men, women and
children had turned ont to participate in the
delightful sport of skating.- Or to watch the
evoIutions of the skaters. aaaG 5E gd! .l1l
Fl 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 night
air. A great bonfire, kiudled on the ice, sent
Up it's red flames, throwing their light far
along the river, over tho quiet village nestled
near its bank, elistening from frosted forest
on the opposite side, and rendering the scene
so wild and fancful that the skaters, as they
glided to and fro, might easily have been
mistaken for the ehostly inhabitants Of some
supernatural world. 1888 'ae35@5
nWhat splendid skaters" was the excla-
nation passing through the crowd, as young
lady and gentleman made their appearance
upon the ice, coming up the river from be-
low. They were skating hand in band, now
backward. now forward now performing some
difficult feat, or whirling around in wide
sweeping circles. a5sf' 6dj sysa as1a.sf
"Who are they,?" was the question asked
by many among the spectators. ea9i p siaA'V
"Kate Clinton and Frank Hill,' was the
reply, pointing them out as belonging to the
most prominent families in the neigh borhood
whose splendid mansions stood near the riv-
er's bank little further down. q. .aa 'ai@
A murmur Of disappointment followed
their departure, while glances something like
disapproval were cast after they glided of
under the cleaning moonlight. Il ssg5 1s.i
They appear vexcd at our leaving them, y
remarked the young gentleman. "They don
often see such an accom- lished skater as you
are, Kate" ~ aoNgAizGi tas 9'4
GAS yourself, you mean, Frank. 1t was
your performance that gave them pleasure
And now I think of it, it wasn't graceful in
me to have been the cause OF disappointing
them Suppose you go back aud show them
a little more Of your skill "Do, Frank ]
can stay here until you return sagss
Anything TO please you, my dear Kate :
And so saying the young man released the
tiny gloved hand Of his fair partner and af
ter few long shots, was again in the midst
of the villagers, gratifying them with the dis
play 50 much desired. s<feoas
More than five minutes were thus spent
during which time the accomplished skater
was repeatedly cheered, and greeted with
complimentary speeches. Them bethinkine
him Of the fair creature he had left waiting,
alone and in the cold, he was about to break
off, when the eager spectators entreated him
to remain moment longer, and once more
show them figure that had elected their
most enthusiastic applause. 4E tQs.79 3
He consented, repeated the figure called
for, and then, resisting all further appeal
with one grand stroke he glded out from
among the spectators, and on toward the spot
where he had left the young lady on the ice
On nearing it he, saw that she was moi
there nor anywhere in sight aa 3a tst
Where could she have gone to be
It occurred to him that while he was en-
tertaining the village crowd, she might have
reioiued it, and become herself one Of thu
spectators. rse. ga wa
With all speed he skated back again, ane
scattered the crowd in every direction, scan
ing the faces and figures. .a,.sts.a ii
But among them he saw. neither features
nor form bearing any resemblance TO, those 0
the beautiful Kate Clinton. s.
| aOh !" thought he, s;she's been playing