Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1872-04-25
How Dan Found n Home.
BY MRS. NJ. LEONARD.

What sleepy head Harry was that
morning and how he bounced out of
bed when the breakfast bell rang, there
by swapping of the most remarkable of
dreams 1t was the Saturday of the
skating-match, too How could he
have slept so !
He was hungry, nevertheless, and
though the family were nearly done
when he appeared, he managed to for
tity himself with a goodly supply of
beefsteak, potato and biscuit, giving
off his directions between the mouth
fuls.
Mother do hurry and get my lunch
put up, and please put in plenty of
mince- pie, sandwiches and dougbnuts.
We shall be hungry as Turks" helping
himself to more beefsteak
80, Allie ! left my skates in the
woodshed, where l was fixing them. -
Won't you get them for me please-I1l
do as much for you"
Another potato.
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 It's
mornings duties.
q say, Kit, you're just the little
chick to run up and get my mittens and
scarf left them in my room-there' 8
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
snugly adjusted
Now, I'm off Sha'n't we have a
jolly time though 2 O, Allie, there S
that Sunday School book to be return
ed tomorrow. l couldn't find it the
other day. Don't forget to look it up
i shall be too tired tonight. Wish
it vast such an awful walk ont there
and back"
The boys had selected large pond
several miles from the town, where they
always went if they possessed 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 should
make the quickest time IN going across
the pond at its longest point four sue
eessive times and one to him who
should cut the most difficult fantasy,
In the way of hourishes and tricks in
skating These were to be performed
by each one separately, and the exer-
else was called by the boys the "solus' .
performances. These were to conclude
the morning games, when they would
find cosy nook in the sun, just by tn e
edge of wood, and there build fire
to warm their fingers and toes, aud re-
fresh themselves over their lunch 5as-
kets
In the afternoon when they were rest
ed sufficiently, they were to try a slow
match at perfect and steady skating, in
which fall or loss of balance, or any
awkwardneas 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 mis-
take or WEAKNESS, retain his motion the
longest, or until the hour set for return
ing home, was the winner. This gave
them long afternoon of general fun,
and was Just what they wanted
" We're all here now but Dan Boil
ton. He always behind ! Where's the
use IN waiting for him 2" cried Hal
"it - q J'IiN itlON. Ltl "dIt-
proposed Ben Wesley.
Its full ten o'clock and he knew ex-
actly the time We set for the starting"
said John Moss.
he ought not to expect us to put
everything back" Hal continued. i'm
patiently
: No, let's start chimed in Ed Camp
bell.
Hes one of the best skaters we
lave. The rest of rs will stand all the
better chance without him said Hal.
leading of.
. Shame, Hal You wouldn't like
be left out that way" said Fred, who
hung back for Dan.
They arranged themselves at the
starting point, and at a 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 iuu speed. But before he reached
the group Of spectators, his glowing
lace had grown very sober with disap-
polntment and he walked quietly up
% receive their salutations aud excuse
himself as best he could
Then he put on his skates and took
quiet turn by himself, evidently IL
thoughtful mood.
by this time the bows were once
across the pond and coming back-no
Use 10 +Yy n < t'r4a With, L. 49,,