The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-08-27

ing Childers or Eclipse, Norfolk or Ken
lucky, was slow compared with the records
of some of the contestants in the annual
races of the champion belt, in Sierra
county, California. Of course a novice
dare not attempt such feats. He would
infallibly break his neck or split himself in
two.
A convenient depth of snow had accumu-
lated in the neighborhood of Monte Hill,
and it had settled sufficiently, in the estima-
tion of experts, to admit of excellent sport.
For fortnight the citizens had been pre-
pairing for the opening day. The last years
skates had been brought forth from their
resting-places and put in order; new ones
has been fashioned, and a large quantity of
dope had been prepared after vast num-
Der of receipts, each warranted superior
to all others. About the middle of the
forenoon, two-thirds of the inhabitants Of
the Hill, of all ages and of both sexes,
might have been seen sliding along, with
summit of "Of Baby" a favorite rendez-
vous, because it was almost destitute of
trees or other vegetation, and, since the ra-
vines and gulches were filled with the drift
ed snow, it presented clear slope of over
mile in extent, with breadth enough to ac-
commodate the entire multitude. There
was not in all the mountains another such
skating ground.
t., 41o |, ,.ao a;o N
of Norwegian miners, among whom was
noticed stranger apparently, from his Pc
culiar fur-trimmed garb, newly arrived
from Norseland. When, the top of the hill
having been gained, the sport commenced,
the stranger attracted much attention by his
rare dexterity, the effect of his perform
ances being much enhanced by his pic
turesque costume. Some of our skaters
migrated to other parts, and there was no
one in the camp who could match the new
conner, unless it was Copenhagen, who,
however, rarely joined us in the pastime,
and was by no means expected on this oc-
casion.
"I wish, though, he would happen to
strike good-humored streak, and come out
here and take the conceit out of that fancy
duck, said young man who had been re-
garding the stranger proceedings with en-
vious eyes.
"And here he comes" said another who
had turned his glance in the direction of
Copenhagen's cabin. Snow we'll have
some fun"
The tall, strong figure forced its way
briskly along the hillside, and soon Copen-
hagen, in one of his good-humored fits,
stood among his friends. He had never
seemed in better spirits, and when reques-
ted to measure his skill with the stranger,
he readily assented.
"If he beat me, we'll if beat him SO,
said he.
Then gliding down to where the stranger
was exercising on the hillside, he wheeled
so as to meet him face to face. Each of
them suddenly recoiled as if he had been
struck, and those who chanced to be close
to them observed that the stranger grew
ghastly pale, while Copenhagen assumed
an aspect of terrible sternness.
" Eric ~ shrieked the stranger.
"Jarl ~ thundered Copenhagen.
The stranger was under pretty fair head
way, and was carried swiftly past the place
of his unexpected encounter before he could
gather his scattered senses. When he had
partially recovered from the shock, on look
ing back over his shoulder he observed
Copenhagen bearing down upon him in hot
pursuit, and mechanically he quickened
his pace. Still nearer and nearer drew his
pursuer, and still he urged his fight, until
both of them seemed to be gifted with
wings. Their course was diagonally across
the face of the hill, downward along the
course by which Copenhagen had come up
from his cabin. Most of the crowd fol-
lowed them as well as they could, but were
left far in the rear by the two Norsemen,
who sped along with the celebrity of light
ming. Still faster and faster they flew, until
the lookers-on grew giddy with the sight.
Only madness could have prompted them
to such reckless pace, which the bold
est of us could not contemplate without
shuddering Now Copenhagen seemed al
most to touch the stra niger, and then the
latter by a mighty effort would shoot away
leaving gap between him and his pur-
suer, TO be quickly closed again. The race
could not last long however. They were
nearing the bottom of the hill, where was
u wooded place at which they must check
their speed Or be almost certainly annihila-