Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-03-14
Haflv gfltnebrr Sonrnal.
EERoIsM WITH A HOOP SKIRT.

Lake Champlain is one of the most
beautiful sheets of water probably in
America, and Cumberland Bay, near
Plattsburg, where one of the most brilliant
naval engagements of the war of 1912
was fought and won by Commodore Nc
Don ugh, of the American feet, against
the British under Commodore Downie,
furnishes one of the grandest skating parks
or ponds one could wish to see 1t IS the
favorite resort of the young ladies and
gentlemen OF this vicinity on moonlight
evenings. One evenings short time since
a young lady and gentleman of this village
who had frequently been skating on the
day before went out upon the bay, but
believing in the old axiom that 1.-TWO is
company" went to an unfrequented part,
where they could enjoy each others society
unmolested. 4taasEa
After skating for some little time near
the shore, the gentleman proposed that
they should go further out, where the ice
was smoother, to which she consented,
and they accordingly ventured out about
two miles. Here they found the ice in
beautiful condition, and the gentleman was
proceeding to do the grapevine, forward
and backward roll, together with many
other fancy figures only known to accom-
plished skaters, when suddenly the ice
gave way beneath him, and in a moment
he found himself struggling in the water
and unable to extricate himself, the ice
breaking as fast as he attempted to raise
himself ON its edge. The young lady true
to her womanly instincts, began to scream
at the top of her voice, but the privacy
they had sought had taken them beyond
the hearing of all who could have been of
service to them. He besought her to 90
to the shore and endeavor to procure as
sistance but she well knew he must per-
ish before she could get back, even if she
found no difficulty in procuring assistance
Then an idea came into her head. and she
Immediately put it into execution.
She first took off her jacket and dress,
and tying them together undertook to
reach him with one end; but it was too
short, as the yielding ice warned her when
she moved toward him and endeavored to
throw him one end. What more could
she do 7 She hesitated moment; then
slipping off her CATERS, both stockings
were soon tied to the end of the dress and
Jacket, and yet it was too short Mean
time the young man was rapidly becoming
exhausted, and if she was to save him no
time was tie be lost. For moment her
hands disappeared in the drapery about
her waist, and then something fell on the
ice about her feet--it was her hoopskirt.
This was quickly severed into half dozen
pieces, and added to the jacket, dress and
stockings, and to her great delight, this
made the line long enough to reach him.
Bravely she tugged at one end OF it, while
he clutched the other end with the grip of
a man who knew that was all which
stood between him aud eternity. in Ia few
minutes she landed him safely on the solid
ice, and then the red jacket and dress
were wrapped about her as best they could
be, and the two started for home, where
they arrived without being noticed by any
one Few were the words spoken on the
journey home, but they must have been
to the purpose, as the wedding suits are
ordered, and before the ice shall disappear
from our beautiful lake this spring they
win be married.