The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1888-03-15

1860 10 Minnesota. tells the following $40
ry oi . race on skates race fer life.
Perhaps we cannot do better than to give
/, 10 sboni bis osn words.
Il bad been Invited ty an uncle 10
spend the fall and winter Al bis home 10
the northern part Of Minnesota My un-
Gle was engaged in numbering. aud partly
from desire 10 see NY fFlends, aud With
siew slso Of sscer,sining bow liked
the coaptry and II liked il aud The pros
peci seemed isyorstls. 10 so into the busi-
ness myself. as my uncle bad made me a
good offer TO do so. | accepted The invita-
tioB.
bad finished my college course that
year. and after the long, steady pull at
books, the life OF freedom and Wild sports
that pictured itself TO me, gave an add
iionsl impulse 10 my resolve to pass the
winter with them.
The family consisted Of my uncle, aunt.
three daughters. all grown up, aud son,
. strong. active boy OF seventeen. Al
though | Was siI years his senior, | found
him as companiopable as one Of my own
age. An ardent lover Of outdoor life aud
sports, | could not have asked for better
guide or comrade.
He knew every tree aud shrub in the
woods aud its uses. the habits Of wild
game, aud the best way Of cooking it too.
He could ride, hunt and shoot 10 man
ner that filled me with respectful admira
tion, and add TO this frank, fearless. gen.
erous nature, sunny disposition that
nothing seemed tG cloud, and you have
my cousin and companion, Frank.
Many WAS the long tramp we had to
ge.her, forgetting fatigue. cold and hun
ger ia the exc itement Of the chase.
There was one source OF amusement to
which We we're both passionstely addicted
skating; and the number Of lakes oi
various siz's in this state, frozen by the
intense cold, presented as fine field to
the lovers Of this pastime as one could
wish. We we're perfectly at home on the
ce, and spent many hours gliding away
up some glitteriug lake, now turning to
explore this or that little stream that emp
tied into the larger. or examining some
track that entered the woods.
One moonlight night we'll remember
the date, the 23d OF December-we start
ei Just at the edge OF the evening to skate
up the river, which gided almost directly
past our door
A ful moon rode in the clear, cloudless
sky, where stars twlnkled and sparkled
like jewels, and every frost.covered tree
and shrub twiukled and flashed back q
greeting. The broad river cleaning far
ahead, lay like web OF satin bound Oh
either side by the dark forests.
1, was very cold, bnt we warmly clad
and the brisk exercise sent the blood ting
ling to our very finger ends No sound
met our ears save the ringing OF our
skates, the crackle Of the ice as we swiftly
sped over it, or the crash of some over
burdeped limb in the woods
We had skated on almost 10 silence for
over two miles. when proposed return
inz. Frank sssented, and we had skated
back short distance when | happened to
remember that the girls had asked me to
get them some red berries that grew on
shrub in this vicinity, for Christmas dec
Grating.
Reminding Frank OF this, We decided II
was best to get them then. as the morrow
promised to be busy day. and the girls
would want them early that afternoon to
commence their decorating, which they
had promised should be unusually fine.
with our help.
We retraced our steps about quarter
OF mile, and after q little search found
the berries. Selecting the finest branches
as best We could by the moonlight. we
soon had all We could conveniently carry.
In turning | accidentally struck my
foot against projecting branch, and in
trying to save myself from fall, sent my
berries spinning across the ice
Frank burst into loud laugh at my |
mishap and awkwardness, 10 which | join
ed him, our voices ringing out loud and
clear, and echoing back with startling dis
tinctness. l was Just stopping to pick up
nv fallen branches, when long, low
sound reached my ear, ending
in prolonged howl.
Wolves I said Frank at my side 10 al
instant. Quick, look at your skate, the
one you struck; see II it is all right. We
nave got to skate for it now.
At tbs, moment We heard the snap oi
twigs. as though some animal was making
its way through the woods.
Hastily examining my skate and finding
il secure, We dashed down the river. the
trees that lined Its shores seeming to fly
. asst as they do when riding on fast
express.
'rhey are after US. said Frank. l cant
tell how many yet. don't dare to turn
my head. Look ou, for ths, 6ssure 10 the
ice mile ahead Of here.
As good skater rs | was. aud | had al
w.ys been proud Of my skill In that direc.
too, Frank Was better one. lie had
more than once outstIipped me 10
friendly trial Of speed, yet he did not
iol, ahead of me nov. keeping
close TO my siie. A brave. generous.
clear beaded boy 10 the hour Of danger.
On ~e weut. every nerve and muscle
strained TO the utmost could not help
ss the fierce houls drew nearer,
what ifa strap should give gay, or
should trip ou q stick or some creyice 10