Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-07-12
SAM GOES SKATING.
[ FoR PosI-IxTr1IInExcxn !

nroiir a week IA Town W0fu one night
sam Smith escorted Miss Jemima Brown
thither. Sam was notorious for his
bashfuiness: ou, sprightly Miss Brown
had so completely overcome his natural
disposition az TO have several times
escorted her to vari rus places. In a
young grocery man, named Ginger. Sam
recognized dangerous rival.
That night all was serene. They were
both skiliful skaters, and Ginger was
completely eclipsed. But, fickieness,
thy name ia woman. Late in the even
ing Sam saw Miss Jemima gliding over
the floor with the hated Ginger. Now.
skating Is an art that requires all the
attention OF the performer. and when
Sans thoughts we're SO diverted from
the business in Land he suddenly and
gracefully Sat down upon a rough splin-
tered plank. He felt q simultaneous
rush Of cold chills and hot splinters.
The sensation was similar to having sat
down upon an electrified chair. He
strove To rise, but found that he WAS
nailed down, az II were, by splinters.
Every eye was upon him. With des-
perate spring he half arose; there was a
sound of tearing cloth, a rush of cold
air, and Sam sat down again. Not but
that he could have arisen, but he did not
wish to. lie sat down to reflect. The
more he reflected the worse he felt. The
wall WAS invitinely near, only about ten
feet away; but how to reach It without
observation WAS a problem that would
bave taxed Newton for solution. Sam
had seen clowns hop along in a sitting
position, and, inst now, felt that he
would gladly give every dollar he had
in the world TO be such clown. SoEae-
thing must turn Up soon. The sweat
started upon his brow, and instinctively
lac put his hand 10 the hind pocket of
his pants for his handkerchief. 1t
started easily enough; but the rather
small article that he was wont to trry
had increased to such startling proper
tions that the pull did not suffice TO ex-
tricate it. Taking fresh grasp, he
pulled with the energy of desperation.
A sudden resistance on the part of the
handkerchief, the sudden desire of
his collar to throttle him, and the feel
ing that his backbone was being "tele-
seoped' In AN insane attempt on its part
to shorten itself, convinced him that he
had mistaken the article of clothing
that he held. He commenced slowing
it away in large handfuis, when Miss
Jemima and tae now happy Ginger
swept past his despsiring gaZs. ard
with graceful sweep stopped before
him.
"ShalI help you up, Mr. Smith," she
laughingiy asked, at the same time ex-
tending hsr hand.
mo, I'm mach obliged, but l can
| that Is can't ., myr' gasped the
wretched man. "rd rather stay here.
II think I've twisted my ankle little"
bending over his foot as Il bright thought
struck him.
"Oh. that's too bad. Does it pain
much2 lam 80 sorry. Can do any
thinPy' and tho bright eyes grew soft
with pity. ''Do let Mr.. Ginger help you
| to n seat"
80, no." said he, with desperate eff
fort at cheerfulne 5, lit will be all right
in a minute. III Just take of these
miserable skates right here. Don't
wait to help me-" he hastily added, as
she still seemed inclined to linger.
well, If | can't do anything" she
murmured, as she slowly departed.
Sam gazed after her with look of re-
lief, but with difficulty suppressed an
oath as he saw how attentive Ginger
was, and then set slowly to work to re-
move his skates. hoping and praying for
| something to divert attention from him.
| self. As he slowly unbuckled the last
buckle, despair again seized him. SEEM
ing but the darker for his temporary re
lief. Suddenly there was a crash. fol-
lowed by a roar of laughter. Some one
had fallen. Sam hoped 1t was Ginger.
Now no ono was looking at him, and
with quick spring he reached the
bench by the wall. For the instant he
una aufa nrA ha lpAxu a lnru hraath of
| relief. Soon Miss Jemima, dismissing
the crestfallen Ginger, Che was the un-
| fortunate whose disaster had proved
Sans deliverance) seated herself by his
| side, and with an expression of sympa-
thy that caused his heart to keep time
to an imaginary Maud SIS hoof beat,
anxiously inquired If his foot was bet
| ter, and being answered in the atiirma-
| tive, she chatted on merrily, while poor
Sam with feeling akin to that of a
condemned criminal, watched the va
rious couples departing. There was a
luil in the chatter and after waiting
| vainly for Sam to make some response
she exclaimed: "Mr. Smith, il is time
we were going. viii you please take off
my skates!'
"Certain--or-no-O dear, | can't"
groaned the unfortunate Sam, the pers-
piration pouring down his face, while a
piece of ice would have been warm COM
pared with the temperature OF his spinal
column.
"Why, Mr.. Smith, Sammy, what in
| the world is the matter: are you illy"
che cried. "Mr. Ginger, will you call
DIR. Ainsworth here?"
Several gentlemen, including the doc
| tor, hastily gathered around. "N hats
the matter, old fellow" whats up,
Sam?" "You sickg" How'd you hurt
yourself?" These and other queries
were showered down upon Sam, who
only glared helplessly at them in reply.
81 think he must have sprained his
ankle n while ago when he FELL" ex-
planned Miss Jemima, bending over his
foot.
"Ah. indeed responded the doctor.
''Can you stand upon it! suppose you
try" at the same time taking him by
the arm 10 assist him TO rise.
"No, can't; iet go my arm" shouted
Sam, while he olutched tie bench with
both hands with the energy of despair.
The doctor was used TO obstreperous
patients. and quietly knelt down to look
at Sans foot. But before pulling off
| the shoe he looked for something with
| which TO bandage it. He had forgotten
his handkerchief, and was about to re-
quest one of the bystanders TO furnish
him one. when his eye fell upon some.
thing white protruding from under
Sans coat.
"Permit me 10 use your handkerchief
for bandage, Mr.. Smith," said the
doctor, reaching forward and taking
hold of il. Al last that eonfounded
handkerchief, which was not a hand
kerchief, again came forth in volumin-
Gus folds; then came the fatal hitch.
The doctor gave a slight pull, and the
| unfastened bench tottered and fell.
There was a fash of white, man
scrambling hastily TO his feet, and Sam.
clasping both hands over his torn pants,
u a.. II ~