Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1885-03-08

tack has resulted IN DONG tnem no peTSep'
tible harm. One of the sources OF these
attacks is the dramatic profession. II is
well known that all manner of amusement
combinations, from the strictly legitimate
comedytrsgedy company, headed BY star
of the first magnitude, down to the worst
of ten cent variety sggregstions, and felt the
advent of the rink IN manner
which utterly demorslized the box
Office receipts and carried dismay and dis
gust to the hearts of actors and managers.
Salaries have been cut al through the pro-
fession, and expenses Of every kind re-
trenched to the limit but still the season
promises to wind up with general and
large balance on the wrong side of the led
ger, and with view of eounteracting the
rage for rollers" the theatre folks have be-
gun systematic war on the Kinks. To aid
in turning public opinion the dramatic pa.
pers have ransacked the large cities tor ad.
verse medical opinions from physicians OF
more or less fame, professors Of physical
training and sthlets have been sought to
point out the hurlful tendencies of so much
exercise by the Young of both sexes,
and even the minister's study has been
invaded, and the clergyman urged
to abandon the teaching of the Gospel, and
preach new crusade on the immoral ten
denotes of the permiscuous association OF
the Young of both sexes within the limits
Of the Kinks.
Another source of opposition, strange to
say, comes from the saloons. The COM
FOUNDER OF beverages doesn't object be-
cause of the immoral tendencies, as
above urged, but because the new pastlme
has resulted in attracting large numbers oil
young men away from the bsI-rooms, and
consequently reduced receipts very ma
terially. So far from harm coming from
the Kinks, as a matter Of fact the skating
rink, as a place OF amusement and recrea-
ton, is only equalled by A. Wards famous
wax works. there is bat one skating rink
in the country where any beverage stronger
than coffee is sold, aud that rink is in wicked
Chicago, and the beverage dispensed l.
cider.
Talking with a professional skater the
other day, q reporter asked him If the roll
er racket" showed any signs OF losing Its
popularity. -, -
Not a particle" said he. "As an Illus
tration will detail the rise of the art in
New York year ago, and show you that,
instead Of showing signs OF waning, the
sport is rather gaining ground. Ayear ago
in February number Of young people
leased the old American Institute building,
had 3 fine floor put down in 1t, and an
nounced a skating rink. They gave prizes
10 various sorts Of champion skaters, organ
lied skating carnivals, and did other things
to attract the public to the rink, and sue
ceeded in making a profitable place OF
amusement During the summer the place
Was closed, Of course, but with the advent OF
cold weather it was reopened under new
management and night after night it was
tanned to sufocation. Finally q new
rink was opened, then another and an
other until there are about fifteen
immense Kinks in operation, and others
building in various parts Of the city, one Of
them having 10000 square feet OF skating
surface. Just how this pastime grew In
popular favor no one seems 10 know.
Parents have given roller skates to their
children for years past, and the little ones
have increased the perils Of the streets IN
consequence. When the first rink was
opened the prospect Of a glasS-smooth floor
drew the patronage of the youngsters who
could afford to pay the dime demanded for
admission. The older brothers and sisters
went along 10 see the fun and meet their
friends Very often mothers went to look
sfterthe wee little tots who had to have skates
make to order to get them small enough, while
fathers dropped in to look after the mothers.
Once there they all stayed longer than they
! intended. The gliding skaters, moving ap-
pareutly without effort around and around,
| or in and out in graceful curves, facinated
them. Coed looking young women seemed
| prettier when on the floor, and plain young
women became charming through their
grace and skill. Even the young men,
when trembling il anticipation of untoEard
accidents, seemed TO enjoy themselves, and
after q while the mothers aud the fathers
were induced to try the skates Just to please
| the children. The result is that old and
Young patronize the Kinks with equal relish.
There is one permenent attraction the
| Wheeling rinks have not had as yet, and
/ that is dashing and bewitching young LAZY
professional tell you it's drawing card.
As she goes crrcling around and about-a
spectacle OF grace-she SITS the ladies wild
| with envy and the result is q rush Of females
! tolearn the art. have known OF cases where
men came home from business and were
obliged to get their own dinners because
their wives were learning to stand upon the
rollers.
The most striking popularity of this
| amusement is that the professionals of most
| fame, the champions who are known among
| the Kinks all over the country, and receive
! from $25 to $50 for exhibiting their skill
| for an hour or so in an evening, are little
girls, all under II years of age. Little Jennie
Hcughton, of New York, who wears string
of medals and has the words Queen OF
the Rink on the Autographs which adver.
tise her appearance, is a school girl Of Is
| years, and attends school regularly when
not professionally engaged. Miss Jessie La
Fare, Of Boston, is much younger, and, it is
said, is the daughter of q merchant worth a
million and half Miss Minnie PARROT is
also advertised as the Queen of the Roller,
! and winner of seventeen medals and cham
pion Of the world on unchanged skates. "
But Gussie Schneider, who is not little
girl but boy, calls himself the champion
trick, contortion, and burlesque skater, one
I of his favorite feats being to pick up pin
from the floor with each eyelid while bend
ing backward on roller skates. The Wheel
ing Kinks out to import him as star artist
equaled BY few and excelled BY noner"
How about the outcry of immoral ten
denotes, which is beginning to be heard 2
1T is all bosh. My experience is that
managers of Kinks all over the country have
become censors Of manners and dress, aud
at some Of the big Kinks all who are not up
to an arbitrary standard in dress. and all