The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-26
SKATING IN THE PARK.

THE BALL UP AT LAsT-sKATING ON THE LAKE
AFTER EIGHT O'CLOCK THIS sfoRN1NG-AP-
PEARANcE OF THE ICE MISUNDERSTANDING
ADVENTURE OF THREE YOUTHFUL SKATERS.
The ice on the middle lake in the Park in very
good condition yesterday, and toward night had be-
come SO strong that President WenmAn of the Board
of Park Commissioners, gave the keepers instruc-
tons to send the ball up the Arsenal this MORN
ing permit skating the lake after eight oclock
As rule the visitors to the Park yesterday were
mostly young and ardent, no small number of them
being of the softer SEX whose faces vewess brush
painted the brightest hues Of health. Boys were
there in strong force in expectation that the ball was
up and the skating about to begin. AT the middle
lake crowd of gamips gathered some with skates
and some without them. They stared at the signal
'danger!" with grave and disappointed looks, and
viewed the condition of the frozen sheet of water
with minds full of anxious speculation The police
were numerous in this vicinity, and had brisk oc-
cupation of it for the best part of the
day. The boys saw danger where the
proper authorities proclaimed there was, and were
constantly seeking to elude the vigilance of the
officers and have skim on the lake. If 1t were only
to boast of it. At the lower end of the middle lake
three adventurous lads without the fear OF the law
and the station house in their eyes, started out from
the bank with skates on. Very soon a whistle was
heard and gray-coated and blue-noscd official
rushing do toward the shore. roaring, above
the clamor of the wind among the trees. "Hould an
there will yees, We young blaggards 2? curling his
club at the time threatenngly above his head.
The youngsters waved him an impertnent salute in
response with fingers and thumb at the end of their
noses and proceeded to execute various geometrical
fourishes.
The officer paused and blew his whistle shrilly
three times for aid which shortly forthcoming,
and from as many points Of the shore four officers
moving cautiously forward to the centre OF
the lake to capture the lawless young skaters The
spectators forgot the cold in moment, and watched
the enterprise going forward with the most intense
interest Presently two other officers were observed
hopeless for the boys, around whom perfect Gordon
being gradually drawn. But these boys had evil
IDENTIFY read of bold and daring deeds by food and
field and frozen deep, and suddenly, to the camorous
JOY of the excited lockers they shot out at the
speed of the wind between two of the nearest police
men, both of whom slipped and fell simultaneously
in an effort to grab at the flying fugitives.
''Hould an there bad luck to yees. shouted one
Of the FRUSTRATED officers as he to his feet and
shuled forward with uncertain gait The whole six
now nearly together and doing their best to get
mp o two-forty pace the treacherous ice, while
the three reckless scapegraces bearing forward
with all possible speed for the bridge, under which
they disappeared like fash, while either side of
them strips of unfrozen spaces Of water Three
Of the officers through up the sponge and made
for the shore, but the other three held on though
the chase hopeless one. Their steps were hest
tating for they large and the track before
them unexplored, though little real danger
listed. The boys struck in even line for the boat
house where in instant they landed, had
their skates whipped OF and were bearing away for
Eighth avenue, with the officers that first landed in
hot pursuit. But the boys too feet Of foot for
the heavy limbcd guardians OF the Park, and they
beyond the chance of capture when they cleared
the limits of the Park.
The police had several other busy episodes of this
kind but none exciting, and at the same time so
highly amusing as the one related for nothing could
be more diverting than six big policemen, in No. II
brogans pursuing with fear in their hearts of break
ing through the ice. three skilled and daring skaters.