Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1873-02-11
A Thrilling Adventure.

II was-I don't remember the pre-.
else year-but it was when was
about seventeen years old, and when
| lived 10 the New England Village
where was b. IN, and from which l
had hardly ever been away.
Ii was the day before Thanksgiv-
ing, the only holiday that Now Eng
land knows much about, and about
which the rest of the world knows
so very IiLtle. For three nights be-
tore, the cold had been very severe
for that time of the year, and the
newly formed ice on the pond was
as smoo' h and clear "a a looking
glass. What were we all to do the
next dsy, "tbe gladdest, merriest
day" of all the year, besides to 60
20 church and eat the feast that had
been 40 long 10 preparation That
was the question asked by my strong
earnest. older friend who had come
from Boston TO spend Thanksgiving
Skate, Of course" | answered.
"But why not try the ice to-
eight ?" be asked.
| could see no reason, and so we
bound on our skates, and few, as it
were, over the CLASSY surface of the
pond TO The cove, about which were
the piles of pine tree boughs. One
there, we conceived the idea of how
grand it would be TO skate back TO
the village, collect together the wo-
men and girls, take suitable provisions
for picn C. place them all in .leighs
and on hand sleds, draw them to
this place, and eat a supper on the
rocks, amid the glare of he burning
tree-tops. We were not long in car
rying on, our plans, for almost every
nouse had its sleighs and skates and
hose that were destitute of either
united with some of their neigh5ors.
An hour, and the little lake was COW
eIed by the rnerriest skating party
that it had ever witnessed. And
then the supper, the bonfire the
songs, the merry making | shud-
Ter TO think Of such bolste rous sport
with an impending death so near !
The sport was over at length, the
ippes eaten, the cider drank, the
Ongs sung. the stories told, and The
once great flames among the resin
rus pine needles were now shoulder
ing among the limbs, or lingering IL
the sLvmps and roots l. was near
ly time to go. And so the company
was breaking up into little knots as
we came.
"Tie all the sleighs and sleds to-
get err" my strong friend shouted,
the last to leave the spot. The or
or from our leader was soon obey
Ell. Each little vehicle was ranged
from tea to twenty feet apart, ac-
cording TO the length of the ropes
,r leading lines which we had and
three or four skaters were stationed
between them. Then, two much
longer ropes were stretched from
,ther side of the long line, of which
some twenty or more skaters took
hold. With a shout and wh0op. such
as Indians give when rushing TO bat
lie, we started on the ice. The line
| first straight or wavering q little
where the poor skaters were, soon
took the form Of crescent;and with
q clamor of voices and the grating
of skating-irous, we sped over the
ice.
Ny strong friend and were soon
n one side of the ropes. and we b I'D
he place neares to the slsigbs W.
had not proceeded far be ore | per-
.eived the ice was bending up in
'front.' of us, and | could scarcely hear
It crack among the noise OF the ska
tiers. spoke not word, but look
ed intently into my companions
face. l only thought that so long
As we kept in motion. as were then
doing. we m ght pass the terrible
danger. But | knew very we'll it
| the true state of affairs was discov
| cred, a panic would spread along the
line, some skater would drop out,
and then tue sleighs and he precious
burden must sink TO tho bottom
| | cannot forget the horror of that
moment-a 10 ment that seemed an
ago. | was faint myself, but | only
shuddered lest some skater shoul d
fall | could not speak for fear but
almost feared lest the other voices
should stop, and The cracking of the
ice should be beard by the women,
who would be sure TO scream NY
thoughts were on God; my eyes
weae fixed on the face Of my friend.
was fairly drawn alongod the curv
ing ice, that seemed to rise higher
before us every moment. Cold
sweat was on my foreh al, but |
could not loosen my hand from be
rope to wipe it off My friend no.
Liced thai | was lagging-I who was
80 expert a ak ater. HIS ewes caught
nine, and by that sort of intuilive
language that we sometimes have in
time of great dangers, be became
aware of our dreadful situation heard
the cracking of ths ice, and saw it,
felt il aising in front of US.
What did the strong man do ?
Flee like coward from the dangers
be had brought Us to. and escape to
the land -? Did the alarm seize him
that had overpowered me? Far
otherwise. Rising his voice so that
il could be heard above the diu Of
the skaters and the merry voices oil
the women, be shoGted :
"All sing, so We can keep better
ep, all sing Coruation." Aud wish
aut lowering his voice. he sang /:
Gan hail the power Of Jesus name,
Let angels PROSTATE fall!
Bring forth the royal diadem.
| Aud crown him Lord OF all"