The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-03-23
SKATING INTO LOVE.


Make up your mind, old fellow, that
woman who understands the art of
cutting pigeon wings on skates, under
stands also the art of flirting. Confound
it, man !! whether married or single, she
is heartless coquette, and that's the
English of it. More men have made
shipwreck of their lives by falling in
love with a pretty foot and ankle, a
graceful carriage, and bewitching
manner, which the hussies pick up, most
OF 'em, before they are out of short
clothes, than you can shake stick at
Don't be fool, now-don't be fool"
The gentleman thus addressed was a
decidedly good-looking individual. His
features were regular--expressive manly,
and earnest. A pair of large dark eyes
into whose depths it was plain to see
that love had penetrated, illumined his
face with tender light, which made
them very friendly eyes to look upon, or
look out of. Love is wonderful and
glorious transformer. The little god
can make even plain face handsome
and fascinating. How much more so,
then, one that nature has richly en-
dowed.
"Ah, father" replied the young man,
after short pause, "you are a splendid
talkist-that fact is indisputable but,
do you know, am half inclined to be-
ieve that you have forgotten all about
how it feels to be in love. This is my
first experience, and, if it goes trihe
hard with me, to call a fellow a fool
doesn't mend matters. You don't think
we'll of her, and do; but the chances
are that she wouldn't incline her pretty
head to such a plain, unattractive no.
body. So. if you please, we will let the
subject drop"
Chauncey Belknap, ST., surveyed for
a moment the vexed countenance of his
son, and then laughed heartily at his
discontinue. Love, to this man of
fifty, seemed a passion only distantly
related to the love he used to feel and
understand.
"He jests at scars, who never felt a
wound" muttered Chauncey, Jr.; but
here he was mistaken, for Chauncey, Sr
had undergone more than one tussle
with Cupid, and had on two occasions,
to the knowledge of his friends, been
ANONYMOUSLY beaten. 1t would not be
strange if such an experience had blunt
ed the finer feelings of his soul, causing
him to keep his eyes for ever turned
away from the contemplation of a eica-
trix which reflected no credit upon his
personal charms or spiritual fascination.
"Just bear in mind" said Chauncey,
little nettled at his fathers manner,
" that intend seeking an introduction
to this beautiful girl, and that one ap-
preciative smile, one little word from
her, will bring me on my metaphorical
knees before you can say Jack Robin
son. and that's the English of that.
. So, an reooir :" and Chuncey took his de-
hAarture, apparently very much to the
light of the elder, who laughed, and
itinued to laugh a good half-hour
er the door had closed upon his son.
Zounds, this is a rich joke Con-
Ind the young dog! He'll get over
What If he knew that the girl he
yes SO about is my afianced bride-eh,
hat them"
4 The young lady whose image had so
strangely, and, after all, naturally en-
craven itself upon Chauncey's heart,
was present with party of friends.
"If there was only some way that /
could manage an introduction to that
young lady, should be the happiest
man in Brooklyn" muttered Chauncey,
as Miss Preston emerged from the dress
ing-room, skates on, ready for fun.
No wonder the gentleman was dazzled
with the picture. Dressed in Scotch
tartan picturesquely arranged, her beau
tiful wavy hair fioating around her neck
and shoulders, two tiny feet inoased in
neat-ftting CATERS, the little lady seemed
the embodiment of harmony. E
"That's what / call the poetry OF mo-
tion," continued Chauneey, aPprecla'
lively. A bright thought struck him
"I'l dash out after her, and, if she has
the grit l give her credit for, she'll enjoy
the fun"