The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1886-01-30
Communicated.
Skatina on Vermiiion Ponds.
JANUARY, %, 1886.

nv yeracity even in tri1es, and es-
pecially 90 l like to be strictly a.
cnrate in nv Alternatives. Some
persons called it skating, ("ot my
love Of truth, hut what | commenced
to say at first some called it sliding;
but all ottcd it quite differently.
Several did.not.know what-to dc.with
themselves young men INDUCED in
the novel and fascinating sport with
out restriction +; and from the man
ner in which they went through the
performance. e, invariably get
ting their feet where all sensible
people wonld exrcct to end their
heads located--one would be led to
denominate it "tnmhling."
The most detailed description
may be worded so a rnn--a inmp
"a slide-a tumble-a shrek and
a get up. Some ludicrcus and won
derful attitudes were struck almost
on a par with those adopted by the
roller-skaters. Just imagine Il per-
son, a aooman. for instance, running
over a slippery road, from a bad
COW or mad dog. suddenly fall
against and roll over a fence--con-
tinuing to roll until she feels at a
safe distance from the object Of
terror, and you have. an exact idea
of the general cut" presented by
the wonld-be skaters On the ponds
wcek-hefore.last.
The ice was really thick--indend
it was, cause it held up--with all
his importnce (when ever he allowed
it the privilege) and the "lnfant
Giant" Now, if yon had any Doubts
about its solidity, I am positive that
this fact has hanished them to-
Jerry Croa0, I Spec. After closely
observing a practlced slider make
his debut on the precarious founda-
ton. a certain Apollo, l suppose he
had perhaps seen ice before, cast a
wav-over Wonder, all.around about,
and wonder.vholl-see-an admire.
me glance. then gave that mighty
push off. Ye Angels! He made his
impression--made it on the ice. The
last view of him, his soles were on
their ~heavenvard fight. his head
was trying it, agility in performing
the feat shat had caused such a revo
lation in his position.
So it was with most Of tbem-one
amused himself by cracking immense
Observation-Disclosures on the ice with
his head, which, by the way, is very
large. hut--,hat'H do. Suffice to say
a passer by would most likely con
c4ude that they had coneregated 70,
the purpose Of getting the ice to suf
Gciently contract their skulls. so as
to not have room for that peculiar
native vacancy. The ladies had
their "tableaux' also--mcst emphat
ically. for ! witnessed some OF then
land they quite equaled the
gentlemen in tumh'ing. if not sliding
With their usual timidity ~ and
gentleness. they cautiously tiptocd
about and kicked the ice vigorously
with the heels of their boots. to
make sure it would not break. and
drown them in tie footdeep water
below its surface ; OF that it was moi
some live, foreign sea animal. come
to spend the winter season on the
Vermilion prairies, and reaiyto cal
them up at any moment. Their
fears assuaged and courage gained
they ventnred just a little t%artEer
and a little farther, until all OF q
sudden they were running very
erectly, and finally had decided or
a slide. OF course the starting of
jump lad to be made. but Instead o.
lighting on their feet again. the,
found themselves bounding across
the ice like an animated bundle o.
cloaks and hats. Hard was the fall
WHICH tHCy lCh OcWn. anu DfVkti
was the ice when they got up hui
that was Just splendid fun" e,
One would naturally suppose their
inclined to give vent to tears every
time they got their heads bumped
really hard, but indeed they did not
= just the contrary Wisdom's Elm
blem, in falling. struck his ''craz,
bone and set up such a bool hoo
be had to be sent home. The chill
dren, from all appearances. seemed
to enjoy it hear:ily-not that person.
CRYING, but the skating aud othe1
fun.
1t is needless to say that The bald
headed population fought shy of i
all. You do not blame them? No
neither does
Gone OF THE LAss1 Es."
The boycotting of Democrat,