Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-18
Gliding Over the Ice.
A GLORIOUS TINE FOR THE sKATERS-SCENES ON
BABCOCK LAKE.

BABCOCK LAKE.
BY far the largest and gayest party that has
visited BabcOck lake this season was there on
skates all day yesterday. The boys and girls
were to be numbered by hundreds, with very
fair percentage Of grown young ladies and their
escorts, and not o few elderly men. The ice
was in splendid condition, and every portion of
the lake seemed to be utilized. Coming on
evening, there was a suspicious noisiness after
the skaters movements on the extreme edges
of the lake as it grew cut up and slushy, but the
center remained clean and firm. A look after
the gliders as they skinned along revealed the
fact that even with the rather limited opportu-
mites our climate affords for skating, there are
quite number of really graceful movers
among the young ladies and not few experts
in the science Of cutting pigeons wing. The
weather yesterday was the best during the last
freeze. There was scarcely any wind in the
afternoon and there were fewer cold ears and
fingers than on Saturday. The lake gets all the
force of the winds, pure and unadulterated, and
on windy day is not pleasant lettering place
unless you are on the rapid move.
THE ARMY OF BOYS,
white and black, who afford the most amuse-
ment to the frequenters of the lake, are graded
in their knowledge of graceful moving, from
the ownership of one o'd-fashioned strap skate
possessor of pair of modern "clubs." The
amount of preparation entailed on the young
ster who essays to glide over the icy surface,
with his Old-time straps and gimlet-hOie boring,
does not seem to pay for the little ice he can
cover before one or both Of his skates require
the insertion OF another piece of kindling wood
somewhere about the instep to tighten them
up. Again, the amount OF wasted breath eX-
pended in shouting over the mishaps of a fallen
brother, If utilized, would provide propulsive
power for about half the day. Above the clear
laughter of old and young, the sharp sounds Of
the Ice and steel as they met, and the unmis-
taxable, shril scream Of the timid young ladies
as some graceful expert swept past with light
ming velocity, made up chorus Of sounds sug
gestive Of merry hearts, good lungs and I'M
bounded vitality. The pOssessors Of bright eyes
and rudy cheeks never had better chance to
sonable accessories of furs and bright wooden
hoods and mittens, were not the least part of
the show.
THE INCIDENTS OF THE DAYS SPORTS
were laughable enough. One young fellow
boosted, on leaving the pond at nghtfall, that
he had skated since eleven o'clock and had not
enough yet. Another one retorted that he had
got his full share of enjoyment earlier in the
day. but owing to various accidents to his shapely
neither garments, he was obliged to await tine
shades Of night before daring to present himself
on the crowded thoroughfares leading to his
home.
1t Is to be regretted that there is no place of
shelter tabout the lake. where skates could be
adjusted or "warm-up" secured, and if the
vicinity was better lighted at night, the fun
could be kept up better than now. when the
only means Of illumination are what is vouch-
safed by moon or stars. The monument looms
up appaingly then, and the skaters do not stay
late.
The bracing air to-day gives every evidence
that the ice field will remain intact for some
days yet. There is plenty of sport in prospect
and brisk market for skates.