The union Democrat., 1871-04-22
skating nnd skaters.

slid. conceived the notion, of fastening fat
rib bones, to her shoes, and utilizing the
shppiness of ice. and bone, to increase her
swiftness Of motion. and so he first to market
with her eggs and butter and even to this
dav, the peasant women, in some parts az
Holland. still adhere TO the original bone
skate. preferring them. to those made of iron.
from what cause. it is difficult to saw, unless
it be. the natural aversion of Hollarder. to
change anything. or vary in the least. from a
plan already formed. Until within a few
years back. the healthful, and invigorating
pastime Of skating. has been monopolized bv
the inhabitants Of what we would call, fricid
countries. To give the Inhabitants of more
temperate chimes. where ice, thick enough TO
skate upon, is rarely seen. a chance to enjoy
that pleasure, the beautiful. parlor skate.
has been invented. which exactly fills the
bill, or at anyrate. comes mighty near, doing
so, for if with it we have not so large scope
to travel in, we are at least freed from the
danger Of breaking through the ice, and be-
ing drowned, in the water"
Such, were my reflections, the other even
ing, while viewing the jolly crowd of skaters.
rolling over the floor of the Turn Verein
Hall and whom had dropped in to see, from
curiosity to know what was making such an
internal racket; and which, when | first
heard, | could only compare, to the rumblirg
of a Railway train over bridge, or to the
driving. of forty untamed mustangs, into a
Livery Stable. Upon asking the gentlemanly
proprietor, what it meant. he told me, that
they were trolling on the floor nit skates on, y
found this remark afterwards to be literally
true. after | had got over the confusion, into
which | was thrown when first entered for
every one in the room, seemed to be buzzng
around. and darting here and there, back
wards and forwards, like lot of gnats on a
summer evening.
As my eyes got used to the disorder. saw
that there were three classes one class, I
called skaters, the other shooters, and the
third sliders. The sliders were in the MAORI
~; they seemed to be rather careless in
their style. and were not particular as to po,
sition. The floor sprung and swayed, great
", every once and while | would see it
spring up, and hit some fellow on the back of
the head.
The first person | saw was Ike P-r
who was wiping up some chalk, from the
floor. which had made his skete sim: I
couldn't help thinking, how foolish it was
for him, to use his new pantaoons, for that
purpose.
HIS prominent characteristics, are eveness
Of motion. good nature, and gigantic spread
Legs. of the Tuscan order of architecture
and inh xihle.
Dan k-d; then came sailing along.
as smoothly as swan, over the unruffled
bosom of Lake Tahoe he skates easily. beau
tfnllv and gracefully.
characteristics. ease Of motion and aff1bili-
~; combined With grea attention to the la
dies--Legs of the lamp-post order.
Walter BIS; then came whzzinc nv
like cannon ball /. shot out of columhiad
richoehetei against somebody. and kerflum-
uxed out on the middle of the floor in a pile
characteristics. desire to run ahead of
vervhodv, excelsior. and taciturnity-Legs
Ionic style, and elastic as a piece of gutta
percha.
Johnny B--n; was there. skates
smoothly and has good command of his legs:
admires the ladies, evidently, seems to be ad-
mired by them.
characteristics. timiditv. lelicacv of move
ment. falls gracefully-Legs, crooked and
rather shakv.
Ahner R-d: skates slowly, md hugs
the side of the building takes a ford interest
in I. NJ. Y---y; and never let's him get
out of sight
characteristics, cautiousness--Legs stiff
as a poker.
Johnny cC-k; skates-when he
happens to he on lis feet. which is seldom:
throws up his arms and clutches at the cell
ing; whenever he loses his balance, comes
down like thousand of brick.
characteristics, pertinaciy and good hu-
mor-Legs, short and groggy. ankles, weak
L. NJ. Wv; is always looking out for
Ahner R-d; hrgs the wall also.
Characteristics, none in partieular-Legs,
lead pencil style.
Larry G--y: skates cautiously. thinks
he has got the hang OF it; is ALWAYS showing
some one. how somebody else makes mis-
tale. and falls down about that time to illus
traits his argument
characteristics, the larboard wabble, and
observation-Legs, loose and groggy.
Billy C-n: skates round swift
FREELY, is continually running against Jake
Roll. and invariably falls, when he gets on
tie ladies side of the hall. and is trying to do
his best falls often but is no sooner down than
he is up again like an india rubber ball.
Characteristics. elasticity, good looks, and
perspiration-Legs of the stovepipe order,
and very springv.
Teddy B-n: skates furiously. like
locomotive. run off the track under aiull head
Of steam. darts hither, and thither, to the
peril of anyone whom he may happen to run
against is continually oling his skates, and
afterwards complains, that they are too slip
perv.
characteristics, intrepidity, and capacity
to Withstand hard knocks-Legs, of the
Corinthian order ofarchteciure.
Harlow st; makes good effort, and
his perseverance will no doubt be rewarded
by success; is on the lookout for the man.
who put that chalk, on the floor, to make
people slip down. His only fault, is that of
allowing both feet 20 slip out from under him
at once.
Hbaro,tar:.t,o, .-o,or,,1 oorr;oro and 70