The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-01-25

The boys were coasting down Syca-
more street hill last evening, when John
Sanscript and his wife came along.
They had been up on Baltimore street
visiting, and were on their way home.
Just see them boys, now," said
John, as he braced up at the intersec-
ton Of Mulberry street. ut really re.
minds me of the days when 1 was a lad.
Do you know, Jane, that l used to
coast down hill on sled that way?"
"Did you, John?"
"Why, yes but that's fifty years
ago!
San9cript scratched his head cuntem.
plativeIy, and then muttered, "sotto
voce," "Blame me, if l don't try
it!".
"Try what, dear?" anxiousy asked
Mrs. S.
"l'm going to coast, just once, to re-
vive recollections of fifty years ago"
"Now. John, if were you"-
"But you are not me, so don't inter.
fere.
Here, sonny (to lad just pulled up
the hill with his sled); here, sonny, I'll
give you quarter to let me slide down
on yOuR sled once"
The bargain was eagerly nailed and
clinchCd.
''Be keerful, old man." urged the
boy, as SanscIipt sQuatted rather awk-
wardly ou the sled; be keerful, say,
and don't let her funk one way or
t'other TIL she brings up, or yo'll git
mashed"
"NeVer mind, younker," assured
John "I've been here afore-some
years afore, BUT
But what will never be known, for
just then the sled, of its own accord,
started down hill, and even John him
self has not since been able to recall
what he was about to observe. The
surprise at the sied's unexpected move
ment was general.
"Look out" yelled the boy.
"Oh, john" screamed Mrs. San
script.
"WhOa, theIel" yelled John.
But the sled wouldn't whoa. 1t
seemed TO have set OFF down that hill to
beat its best time. John had chance
only to clutch hold OF both sides and
hold his breath for fear the wind would
blow off the top of his head. The only
thought he had time to foster was that
the boy must have creased the sled's
runners as a practical joke. And if
this was coastDg, he had never coasted,
If his recollection served him right.
Two thirds the way down the hill
the sled struck an ice. hummOck, and
immediately his course was changed to
4 paTaOOlic curve.
Whackl bang! crash! clinkl
The bringing up was awful sudden
and uncertain. Sanseript and the sled
disappeared rs abruptly aS a shooting
star. The latter ley shiyeTeG to atoms
against lamppOst, and Sanseript lay
Sh!vering in the grocery cellar just Op.
pOste. When the oifrunueT OF the sled
coliided with the lanppost aud stopped
the vehicle. Sanscript rose like circus
leader and went right on turning TWEEN
ty sOmersaulls to the second lie went
through grocery window, as the cir
Gus leaper goes through paper hoop.
A. the gingerbread horses and candy,
apples ami other luXuries were disar-
ranged, OF course The Tubbery part
of Sanscript's body struck a Western
Reverse cheese on the counter, scatter
the shippers in CONSERVATION. The Old
coaster bounded live feet at an Obtruse
angle, touching again Tor second at
the top step OF the cellar stalls in the
rear OF the store, aud then, continuing
like dyer into the PlutOnic depths
below, he went feet foremost through
hOgshead flied with something sutt.
At first he was uncertain whether the
contents were Orleans mOlasses or
melted glucos. Before he had time to
investigate the grocer and two police
men came down. The unhappy boy
was licked out of his sweet pickle aud
hauled of to the station house on a
charge Of malicious destruction Of prop.