The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1884-01-05
THE COOP OLD TINES
When Winters We're Whit They Oush

When Winters We're Whit They Ought
10 Be-Aucftnt Pasiimrs.
II don't know why it is,n4 said q citizsn 10
the weather reporter Of theIsrELlIeENcER yes
terday, not one OF the Oldest inhabitsntr, but
ono who was a boy in the "sixties,n II don't
zee Why 1t is, but somehow the winters are
not like they used to be-. Now when l was
boy, and that's not 20 very long ago, we
used to enjoy from three TO four weeks fine
costing, while our sisters were treated to
sleigh rides by the older boys. No, there are
no more old fashioned winters. The glisten-
ing steel skate Is rusted, and the sled which
was laid away With the memories OF other
days Is gradually deesying from disuse. I
can give any reason ior this change, except
that 1t might be blamed on this new tangled
weather mandatory they have established
at Washington" ~ >
The speaker grow quite warm in recount
Ing the good old tiEles the boys ussd 10 have
in the COS, and what he fgid about the old
fashioned winters when the SHOWS fell with
regularity and the creeks and river CONCEALED
for the benefit Of the ice man and the ac-
commodation Of the skaters Was, in great
measure, true . i.T 81 81 r. ~
1t was very singular winter indeed when
the creek was not frozen over three or four
times during the session. for weeks at a time,
on which occasions its CLASSY surface was
black with humanity scudding about ON
skates and waking the echoes Of its banks
with lnsty shouts and pea!g OF merry LAUGH.
Ter. Those who we're boys then will remem.
Der those Rood old days with some pleasure,
Also the skating rink on the Island Of a more
recent date. Is, JJtst, 3. n. - =,
Then there were tho real snow storms
when 1t stayed for time and did not behave
Ike 1t does now---3pit and sputter one day
and vanish IN slush under melting rain the
next Coasiiug in former days very nearly
approached q line art, and there were some
famous "slea tracks" as they were called, in
and about the city. There was no police In.
reference in those days, and II thefs was an
ordinance against the healthy snort il was
mover rigidly enforced. 1fg-'cs -,
Tbs most popular coast road amonp the
boys was the National road from the auer
Of the hill TO the foot OF Seventh street. iOr.
II tbs boys wished, they could ride into ths
classic town OF Fulton.on,t he-creek, lrhe
track was alwnys improved by few hours
iall Of sleet. Main street hill--it was sleeper
than 1t is now-was another popular resort
Tor costing, and was sought more at night
gben travel on IT Ind ceased. The south
side Of Twelfth street used to afford plenty
o. Amusement 70 the boys, and was the Nest
dangerous coastiDg way In the civ on ac.
count OF the parfoWness OF ihs pavement
snd the trees that lined the sidewalk. a II
would be interesting II 1t we're possible 10 ob!
tain the statistics Of the number Of accidents
that occurred every winter on this street. Il
was not unusual TO hear Of a boy breaking
limb or cracking bis head. He had 10 be- q
skillful coaster who directed his sled In
safety doEp.the steep as the velocity attained
vas something fearful. rs. - / : 8.
There were other places that once kncw
the sled but knpy them no more, but the 10.
cali,ies mentioned xess :bs most popular. II
ussd TO be grand old sport, and the familiar
g sas Of e the "Royer,p"oiipPer," Sly Fox
iUnaA Dl9n,."Abs Lincoln, Gen. McClel.
ers that were tamopa tor their. speed, have
dropped out Of sight but not out 81 memory.
~ spy Of the boys Of the "siitiis viii testify
II they VII Sacrifice enough Tine to read this
= ~ - v