Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1884-03-12
Jimmy's Uoastrng Adventure.

boys and girls hunting up and busy
making repairs to their sleds and jump
era and 'carryalls,' the latter being
huge wooden sled, capable OF seating
from six TO eight persons. They are
usually covered with OK hide, the great
tail streaming from behind. The
first snow, if of sufii ;ient depth 10 ad.
NIT Of Tue Inauguration Of the coastlng
season, awakens hill aud vale 10 life,
resoundiug with the merry laughter
and joyous shouts of the coasters. At
night the scene on one Of these ceasting
hills is peculiarly Interesting and anil
mated.
Out Of The gloom rises the snow
crowned mountain peaks, while toiling
patiently up the steep, slippery slopes.
dragging their sleds after them and
carrying miniature torches (some use
miners lamps fastened to their hats) ,
is an endless procession men women
and children, mixed together 10 O
laughing, shouting jelly heap, while
gliding swiftly down on the opposite
side are hundreds OF sleds, jumpers and
carry alls,' following each other in RAPID
succession, crushing aud grinding the
snow, and disappearing down the steep
declivity into the level country below.
At the foot of the hills in The valley
huge bonfires are klndled, which give a
protesque appearance to tho coasters
gath cred about, to warm their hands
and feet. Up and the tiny torches
flicker about among the denuded trees.
shedding a iaint illumination upon the
somber surroundings, presenting a
strangely weird and picturesque scene.
One msrning last winter, when the
snow and Ice lay heavy upon the
mountain slopes, Jimmy Allen aud a
party Of boys we're shedding near Mrs.
Mulllgan's shanty when Jimmy con.
ceiyed the idea that he ought to do
something to make himself a hero
among bis schoolmates.
See here, boys he said, as be nlm-
bly, hoped off his jumper, Pm gong
up the mountain aud come down the
wagon road.'
The boys gazed at him ia astonish-
ment.
Why, Jimm,' spoke one Of them
you'll break your neck
Maybe you think Pm afraid. III
show You.'
And catching up the rope attache
to his jumper, he started on run up
the slope, his companions following.
About bali way up the party halted.
jimmy SAID Charlie Morton, one ol
the older boys, as be stroked bls chin
thoughtfully, and surveyed the country
about him, if were you would not
risk it. 1t is a dangerous undertaking.
'Pshaw who's aEraid!' answered
Jimmy, with proud toss of his head.
I've said so, aud to back out now
would be to brand myself coward
'I'd rather be branded a coward sen-
tentiously replied Charlie, than crack
my bones on the rocks 10 the gorse.'
'Hurrsh here goes, boys!' shouted
Jimmy, leaving his companions aud re-.
suming bis walk brisklY up the slope.
The place was one Of the must
dangerous il that part of the Alleghe-
nies. The wagon road was narrow and
composed Of Iseries of sharp curves
and torluous Windings. To the right,
towering up hundreds oi feet, were
huge, gray, trowning rocks, at the base
of which wound the road. 10 the lett
the ground gradually sloped TO The edge
of precipice, f.om the brink Of which
one could look down upon the rocks
and trees 10 the raVine below,
This rayine was spanned by a wood
en- bridge connecting the road. and at
the foot OF the slope was Mrs. Null.
gan's shantY, and 1t was over this
bridge jimmy expected to guide his
Jumper and reach The bottom in safety.
Jimmy had reached a high altitude and
was waving bis handkerchief to bis
companions.
He's coming = was the warning.
Sure enough he bad started, but the
Jumper was running away with him.
He had lost control OF the swiftly-hyiug
jumper and himself, too, and be pass
ed the group With frlghlful rapidly.
Fall off! shouted bis terrified com
panions.
But Jimmy could not fall or His
legs were braced on the runners, and
bis heels, just touching the snow, sent
the frosty particles into his face, al
most binding him, aud like drowning
man cotching al a straw. ho clung
tiyhuy to the slim railing with bis
hands. Ole Of the runners struck a
hidden piece of frczin earth, and the
Jumper dlVergins to the left shot out on
the ice and snow with the speed of an
arrow.
A cry OF horror, broke IRON the lips
Of the boys: .'f
He's lost he's lostD
Jimmy aud jumper must certainly sc
over the precipIce and be dashed 10
pieces on the sharp, jagged rocks be
low.
Bot no Tim Mulligan was coming
40 the road with team he saw th'
Jumper and is rider coming down as b
turned a curve. Snatching stick o.
Sood from his wagon, he threw i
directly in front of The jumper. whicl
struck it with great force. The jumper
vas overturned and Jimmy, relaxin