Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1872-06-19
How Dan Found a Home.
BY MRS. NJ. LEONARD

dreams 1t was the Saturday OF the
skating-11atch, tool How could he
have slept so?
He was hungry, nevertheless, and
though the family were nearly done eat
ing when he appeared, he managed to
fortify himself with good supply of
beefsteak, potato and biscuit, giving off
his directions between the mouthfuls.
Mother do hurry and get my lunch
put up, and please put IN plenty of
mince-pie. sandwiches and doughuuts
We shall be hungry as Turks, helping
himself to more beefsteak.
90, Allie! left my skates in the
woodshed,- where [ was fixing them.
won't you get them for me please-I'll
do as much for you" ..e--
An other potato. ~ o. .
Having thus dispatched his mother
and sister, there was no one left but lit
tie Kitty, who was calmly dressing her
doll and giving it instructions as to its
mornings duties. -
"I say, Kit, you're just the little
tie chick torun up and get my mittens
and scarf left them in my room
there's good grill
One more biscuit, and now the re-
turns begin to come in.
Generous lunch basket, welI-filled,
skates beside him, mittens and scarf
snug1y adjusted.
CHOW, I'm off Sha'n't we have a
Jolly time though O, Allie, there's
that Sunday School book to be return
ed tomorrow / couldn't find it the
other day. Don't forget to look it up
I shall be too tired tonight. Wish
it wasn't such walk out there and
back" ...- eag
The boys had selected large pond
several miles from town, where they al
ways went if they possessed a whole
skating day.
Twelve of the best skaters were to
try their skill, and three prizes were to
be given. One to the boy who could
make the quickest time in going across
the pond at it's longest point four sue
cessive times and one to him who
should cut the most difficult fantasy, in
the way of fourishes and tricks in skat-
ing. These were to be performed by
each one separately, and the exercise
was called by the boys the "solus "
performances These were to conclude
the morning games, when they would
find a cosy nook in the sun, just by the
edge of wood, and there build 8 fire
to warm their fingers and toes, and re-
fresh themselves over their lunch bas-
kets.
In the afternoon when they had rest
ed sufficiently, they were ready to try a
slow match at perfect and steady skat-
ing, in which fall or loss of balance,
or any awkwardness would mark out
the boy to whom it was charged, from
the list of competitors.
In short, the most graceful skater
who could, without giving up from
mistake or WEAKNESS, retain his motion
the longest, or until the hour set for re-
turning home, was the winner. This
gave them an afternoon Of general fun,
and was just what they wanted.
"We're all here now but Dan Bolton,
He's always behind! Where's the use
in waiting for him ~ cried Hal.
"Dan's jolly fellow. Let's wait, :"
proposed Ben Wesley
cts full ten o'clock and he knew
exactly the time we set for starting"
said John Moss.
He ought not to expect Us to put
everything back" Hal continued, I'M
patiently.
''No, let's start; he'll catch up, very
likely" chimed in Ed Campbell.
"He's one Of the best skaters we
have.
The rest of us will stand all the bet
ter chance without him. said Hail.
leading off.
"Shame Hal You wouldn't like to
be left out that way" said Fred who
hung back for Dan.
They arranged themselves at the
starting point. and at y signal from the
master Of ceremonies they were off.
Just as they were half across the first
time, Dan came running down the hill
at full speed. But before he reached
the group of spectators, his glowing
face had grown very sober with disap-
pointment, and he walked quietly up
to receive their salutations and excuse
himself as best he could
Then he put on his skates and took
quiet turn by himself, evidently in a
thoughtful mood.
By this time the boys were once
across the pond and coming back-no
use to try this time. Whether he was
angry or not. we will not venture to
say. We only know that when his turn
came for "solus F" he put spirit and
daring enough into his capers to have
worked off any amount of anger, re-
ceiving great applause, and in the end
the prize for that exercise.
The last prize was awarded, and Hal
received it with the usual three cheers,
but he did not feel altogether satisfied
IN his mind, although he could not own
to himself why he did not.
They were all tired enough with their
days sport to take the shortest cut for
home, so they jumped bitches, bolted
fences and stone walls, till they came
to the straight road near the town.
In jumping from one of the fences,
however, where the snow was not deep,
Halls foot struck around stone, turning
his ankle, and causing him no little
pain. He bore it for quite distance
as bravely as he could, but as they
came into the town Dan saw he looked
pale, and hmped a good deal, and so
persuaded him to let him help him
awhile. After several of the boys had
scattered in various directions for their
homes, they reached one of the main
streets, where all were to go in one di-
rection except Hal.
Goodnight boys! We've had a
jolly day of it, all but this provoking
foot of mine, Thank you Dan. That'l
do. [ shall get along the rest of the
way.
az can just as well go round with
you," said Dan.
"No [ won't let you. It's late and
you're hungry, besides your folks'H
wonder what's keeping you, answered
Hal, not having liked very well to re-
ceive Dams help.
81 haven't any folks to worry about
me-Im going any way" Dan added,
as Hal tried to step off strongly alone,
and cried out with pain.
"There now don't say word about
it, " and Dams strong arm half carried
to his door, Hal, who was so faint and
weary he was glad to submit When
they reached home, Hal was equally
determined that Dan should stay to
supper and rest himself.