Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1872-06-20
BY MRS. NJ. LEONARD.

Lad when the breakfast bell rang, there
~. Swapping off the most remarkable of
Jyeams 1t was the Saturday of the
skating match, tool How could he
have slept SO
He was hungry, nevertheless, and
though the family were nearly done eat
mo when he appeared, he managed to
foTtify himself with good supply of
beefsteak, potato and biscuit, giving off
bis directions between the mouthfuls.
Mother do hurry and get my lunch
mt up, and please put IN plenty of
mince.pie. sandwiches and doughuuts.
We shall be hungry as Turks" helping
himself to more beefsteak.
90. Alhel [ left my skates in the
voodshed,. where | was fixing them.
won't You get them for me please-Tll
do as much for you"
Another potato.
Having thus dispatched his mother
and sister, there was no one LETT but lit
he Kitty, who was calmly dressing her
doll and giving it instructions as to its
mornings duties.
Il say, Kit, you're just the little
tle chick to run up and get my mittens
and scarf left them in my room
there's a good girl
One more biscuit, and now the re.
turns begin to come in.
Generous lunch basket, well-tilled,
skates beside him, mittens and scarf
snuelv adjusted
.'Now, I'm off! Sha'nt 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
1 shall be too tired tonight. Wish
it wasn't such a walk out there and
back
The boys had selected a large pond
several miles from town, where they al
ways went if they possessed a whole
skating day.
Twelve Of the best skaters We're to
try their skill, and three prizes were to
be given. One to the boy who could
make the quickest time in going across
tLepond ut its longest point four sue
cessivc times and one to him who
should cut the most difficult fantasy, in
the way Of h0urishes and tricks in skat-
ing. These were to be performed by
each one separately, and the exercise
was called by the boys The 8 solus F"
performances These were to conclude
the morning games, when they would
find a cosy nook in the sun, just by the
edge of wood, aud there build a 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 Il 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,
Il anil was just what they wanted.
We're all here now but Dan Bolton,
hes always behind, Where's the use
IN waiting for him ~ cried Hal.
Dams Jolly fellow. Let's wait, -
proposed Ben Wesley
II
exactly the time We set for starting. y
s@dJohn Moss.
lie ought not to expect rs to put
everything back" Hal continued, i'm
patiently.
'No, let's start; he'll catch up, very
LEelv ehimed 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 Hal,
| leading off.
Shame Hal You wouldn't like to
We lett out that way" said Fred who
| hung back for Dan.
IAey arranged themselves ut the
starting point. and at signal from the
master Of ceremonies they were off.
Just as they We're half across the first
ume, Dan came running down the hill
/ III tull speed. But before he reached
.le group of spectators, his glowing
lace had grown very sober with disap
continent, and he walked quietly VI
@ receive their salutations and excus,
Anselt as best he could.
Ihen he put on his skates and took {
| Wet turn by himself, evidently in /
| Agughtful mood.
| by this time the boys were one,
| across the pond and coming back--nc
Use to try this time. Whether he wa
angry or not We will not venture t
~ We only know that when his tul1
| tle tor a "solus he put spirit anC
/ -tfllg enough into hi- capers to hay
".'hed off any amount OF anger, re
| ewing great applause, and in the enc
prize for that exercise.
Ihe last prize was awarded, and Ha
.geelyed il with the usual three cheers
he did not feel altogether satisfied
Z - r--l-l IL L .--