The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-12-12
" YOURS TRULY" ON SKATES.

1t wasn't very easy getting Slait
For two evenings Yours Truly sat as
spectator" watching her ideal young
man with the broad shoulders and hon
est face as he stumbled over the floor OF
the rink, lifting his right foot about
four inches at every advance lie made,
now bending his body in the form of a
letter s, now holding on 10 the railing
like 4 asea-sick land-lubber and now drop
ping ker-Pdnk upon the floor, to the
inevitable deterioration of his unmen-
tionables. Yours Truly knows that
Professor Royal would look grave over
the above compound adjective in ital
les, but-no matter. When you set out
to be truthful you shouldn't be so over
nice as to weaken your narrative by cay
ing one thing and meaning another.
When Yours Truly's ideal young man
had blundered around the rink a time
or two, holding on to the railing some
times to steady his courage and rest his
WEAKNESS, he would then look at his af-
fianced, expecting word of consistent
adulation, which lie never failed TO get
when the music ceased, although truth
requires her TO say to you, Mrs. D.,
that handsome as he looks on terra
.frma, he does look like-well, the very
mischief on skates.
There are dozen or two of very fair
skaters in attendance at the Rink, who
cut all manner of unspeakable antics,
to the imminent danger Of life and limb
among those less skilled in the art, and
Yours Truly, who seldom fears any
thing, confesses to little timidity
about trying, unskilled rs she was, to
steer clear of them on those very un-
certain rollers. But at last puny-
faced gentleman with downy-lOoking
mustache and dainty fingers prevailed
upon her to try the skates. "There is
no danger, indeed, Miss" he said, coax
ingly. Just depend upon me. I'll see
you around safely" Casting side
glance at Tom, who looked on glover
ingly, Yours Truly submitted to have
her feet strapped upon rollers, and out
she went, with Mr.. MustachiO, onto
the floor among the throng of large and
little, old and young folks who were
bent on having a good time If they
broke their necks a-trying. Muslachio
took both of Yours Truly's hands in his,
As they say in novels. .'Be very careful,
DEAR" whispered Tom, just to show that
he had special interest in what was go
ing on, you know, and that nobody had
any right TO dispute lis 'claim." Now,
really, isn't that just like a man? But
Yours Truly only tossed her head little
wickedly, letting the frizzes on which
her jaunty hat was roosting take upon
themselves IN extra muss, and of they
started, Only-they didn't go. The next
experience Yours Truly recollects was a
vision Of floating stars, and roaring in
her head that sounded like a distant
and dismal cataract. Mustachio was
rubbing wounded shin, and Tom-pooI
honest-visaged, awkward and broad
shouldered Tom-was helping his wlllful
divinity TO the dressing-room.
But Yours Truly had no intention ot
yielding the floor. so while Mustachio
rubbed his shin and the music pealed
on and the roaring Of incessant skating
made u din like distant thunder, she
seized Toms hands and off they went
Lets take il carelessly, Tom. What il
We do fall? Don't lift your feet; roll
them along-so," and doUH they came
again, but this time the fall was not 8
hard one. Again the music pealed, and
gathering courage from the sheerest des-
peration, they struck out again, and on
they went, timidly at first, but gather
ing courage from each others assistance,
till, finally, and unconsciously, the un-
dulations Of the music produced an un-
dulation in their gate and swayed them
first to one side aud then the other and
on and on as well, till their heads swan
with excitement and exercise, and both
were happy in the brilliant mazes OF
the Presbyterian dance.
/ Yours Truly no longer laughs at awk-
ward skaters, with bodies like the let.
ter S. She's engaged to an ideal young
man who pays for her skating privi-
leges, and that he may always have the
necessary funds to keep up the expense
is the sincere desire of his adorer and
4 Yours Truly.