American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-03-30

| one-third of the distance before he had
| started. There was little chance Of his
| winning in that race
Why didn't the boy start sooner ?"
| demanded Mr.. Hunter. "He's the best
skater on the lake"
please, SIR" said little Sammy, "he
has been teaching me to skate"
He might have taught you some
other time, 1 think" growled Mr.. Hun
ter.
So he might, sir, SO he might but
the boys and girls were laughing at me,
and he said he would show me how when
they were so busy they could not look.
That's how it was ~
And can you skate now without fall
ing downs"
ooh, yes. sir, The last time tried, 1
went ever so farl''
"Hum. indeed" said Mr. Hunter; '1'll
try your skill, maybe, when the cup is
disposed Of"
All eyes were now turned to watch the
eleven figures darling on toward SINNERS
Point. Johnny was not so far behind
now, and hardly had the others made
swift curve and turned back on their
course, before he passed them like the
wind, making graceful bow, swept up
on line with the point, and whirling,
was after them again. They could hear
the sharp ring of his splendid new skates
on the ice, and one of them, who could
not resist turning his head, saw that he
was gaining on them.
That boy certainly makes the quickest
time" said Mr. Hunter, land ought to
have the cup even if he gets in after the
Others But he should have started when
they did. 1t will seem hardly fair to the
hundred boys and girls who were on
hand at the right time, and have done
their best to give it to him. Still, If he
really wins, I'll talk to them about it.
But Johnny was not going to win.
Some thoughtless boy had whirled stick
far out on the ice, to show the strength OF
his arm, perhaps, and the cleaning edge
of skate struck against it. There was a
shock, a halt, almost fall and the ten
skaters brought up, one after another, at
the goal, leaving Johnny quite in the
rear.
He came gliding up, however, mo-
ment after, in time to hear Mr.. Hunters
decision.
maria Blake went to SINNERS Point
in five minutes, forty seconds and a hall,
that being quicker time. by four seconds,
than was made by any other"
Hip, hip, hurrah!" cried Johnny En-
ersen; 'three cheers and a tiger for Maria
Baker Then there was great deal OF
hurry -burly for while, of hurrahs and
laughter, of shrill voices, and demands to
see the beautiful cup of silver which had
been handed to the happy girl.
What was Mr.. Hunter saying? The
sound of his voice reached them through
all the noise, and hundred bright faces
turned, full of eager interest, his way.
Children said Mr.. Hunter, g Sammy
Green has new pair of skates, which
Johnny Emerson has been teaching him
how to use. Now, if Sammy will skate
clear to SINNERS Point and back again
without falling down, I will make him a
New Years present of a new suit OF
clothes'
What great leap Sammy's heart gave
AZ never can do it in the world" he whis-
pered to Johnny.
eyes, you can, if you'll only keep
cool" said Johnny; ''and I'd rather see
YOU in new suit OF clothes than to have
ten silver mugs myself"
"Then I'll try; and l won't mind bit
if they do laugh at my awkward motions.
Mother has been sewing nights, more than
to wear; and if only could win, she
could take that money and get her new
dress. I'll try my very best"
"Sammy says he'll do it," shouted
Johnny "Clear the track ~
Then all the children got out of the
way, and the widows son braced himself
for the start Steady, now, steady" said
d
Sammy's soul was in his eyes. He be-
gan to glide carefully along, flinging out
his arms to keep his balance, then, NOV
ing little more steadily, he fixed his
eyes on the distant point, and forgot
everything but the skating.
Nobody laughed at his bob-tailed coat
now nobody ever thought of it. On he
went, sometimes wavering little, then
bracilg himself again, but never quite
hating.
"He can't make the turn, I'm afraid"
sighed Maria Blake 'Thats such
hard thing to do at first. See he is al
most there !"
Then not another word was said, till
the bow had made a broad curve and
faced them, on his way back. Johnny's
heart beat SO hard you could almost have
heard it, Once he thought his scholar
would fall-but no he had only stopped
a little because he was tired-he was at it
again steadier than before, and if you
ever saw roses, they bloomed on Johnny's
cheeks five minutes later, when painting
and trembling Sammy caught his hand,
and, overcome with Joy because the prize
was won, burst into tears.
This time it was not he who called for
three cheers and a tiger" for he hadn't
voice to speak, something choked him so;
but such shout went up as had never
will again till Johnny Emerson wins the
silver mug next year, as Mr.. Hunter means
he shall.
So the two happy, happy boys were
drawn into Mr.. Hunters sleigh, and car
ried into the village to select the cloth for
Sammy's new suit; and it was none of
your common "sheeps' gray" either; but
as handsome piece of mulberry as ever
you set eyes on.
''Well," said Grandfather Emerson that
night, as he shook the ashes out of his
brown, clay pipe, and settled himself back
to count the bills left in his old leather
booklet book; ''well, l never did a better
thing than when gave that storekeeper
ten dollars for pair of skates. I'll put
gold watch in my pack for that boy next
year; if don't, never call me Santa Claus
againI'-What Merit?