The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-02
THE PARK AND THE ROAD.

There was much disappointment among the lit
tie folks OF New York yesterday morning that they
could not indulge in grand good skate" at the
Park. For days the junior members OF the CON-
munity had anticipated such treat and in hun
dreds OF family circles parties had been made up
Ito go to the Lake" on New Years bright and
early and there have jolly, good time, while
their bigger brothers Ibid the calngn or their
elder sisters received their friends. But il was not
to be, and the scores OF youngsters, though the
"ball" was not displayed on the street cars that
journeyed to the Park, hoping to find that the Ice
king had espoused their cause, turned upon their
heels out OF humor when the officers at the en-
trance gates told them there was mo skat.
ing; the snow had made the ice rotten.n
Really, 1t was sad blow to the
juveniles, and none knew 1t so well
as the officials in charge OF the matter, for inquiry
established the fact that during the past three
four days it had been confidently expected that
the ice would be in a condition to permit the in
auguration OF the eXhilaratIng pastime, but
Wednesday evening 1t was decided there would be
TOO much danger attending II, as the ice had be-
come rotten And so one pleasant way Of passing
the first day of the year by portion OF Gothams
multitude was lost, ana the sight OF an assem-
blage where thorough and legitimate enjoyment in
Its fullest sense is found cannot be hoped lor yet
while.
Yet while the good humor ana kindly feeling
which mark gathering OF skaters was not OBJ
served at the Park, the old resort was visited by
hundreds in sleighs. who, breathing the pure oxy-
gen OF the morning, babe the blues to get
behind them, and merry laughter from
fair faces and pink-tpped cheeks accorded
sweetly with the music OF the sivery bells
In clusters about speedy r0adsters. AS early
as nine O'Clock those hunting for pleasant ride
over the snow slowly made their way to the upper
end Of Manhattan Island, and when the Park was
reached their hearts were glad, for the snow was
quite hard and firm, giving them an opportunity
for lengthy spin, Many time ana Oft has the
famous drive there been the scene Of imposing
turnOuts but, though the crowd was not great,
there was hardly one that equalled Yesterdays in
hearted papas In scores OF instances had made it
an occasion to give their little ones ride, and
almost every other sleigh contained one more
tiny faces, the youngest OF the household, the
glee OF these they dashed by the trees beautiful
In their laCework OF ice and snow, was contagious.
robes, and in spite OF gentle Gliding they would be
whirled around and around and then, full of 10y,
their owners would cry out with delight.
Towards noon the number OF sleighing parties
increased Some were New Workers and recOg-
nized as old drivers on the road, but others were
strangers, who, with guides good and true,
adopted this plan OF having "high Old time" and
passing the day. Hllarity was rife as the after
noon advanced, and, spinning through the Park,
they continued their way out on the roads beyond,
stopping now and then at friends or at established
places, where they found 1t easy TO obtain little
suthin" that would keep the cold out and increase
the pressure OF bOsterOuSness. The road was
quite crowded as evening approached with all
sorts OF vehicles, and all were comfortably filled.
From oil these there arose the hum of enjoyment
stranger to such spectacle would say without
doubt 'What happy lot OF mortalsp' And per.
haps they were. At least let 1t be hoped that each
and all passed the day to their satisfaction.