The sun., 1888-02-26
LOCAL NORTHWOOD SPORTS.
SOME WINTER ENJoYMENTs IN THR
ADIRONDACk&
Tho Snowshoc Dance and It's Song Ac esnps.
nimeut-A Romsntic siipjnck Coaster
that Heats tho Toborrnu for E.tcltessent.

Tho Snowshoo Dance and its Song Ac esnps-
niment-A Romantic siipjaek Coaster
that Heats tho Teborsnn for E,teSte-senG
NoRTHwooD, Feb. 24.-The New Yorkers
who hasten to Florida homes with the frst
breath Of winter will scarce credit the asser-
tion. but 1t Is nevertheless true. that the coun-
try people of northern New York enjoy them-
selves much better In winter than In summer.
1t Is especially true OF the young people. Al.
though In summer thore are fish and fishing
a-plenty. there is also work a-penty that must
be DONE In the winter the farmer has the
stock to feed and the wood to cut, and that II
the bulk OF his work. Winter is therefore the
season OF straw rides, sociables. dan ces, coast
ing parties, and exhibitions. A mere enumora.
tion OF these gatherings will bring host Of
recollections of such events to the m minds Of all
The SUNS readers who have ever passed q
winter in a cold country.
Whether the people OF Herkimer county havs
more fertile Imagination than others or not
need not be inquired into, but there are fsA-
lures Of two Northwoods entert tainme ents that
have seen nowhere else and which are novel
and interesting. They are the snowshpo danoe
and the slip-Jack coaster.
The country dance does not bring o NJ such
IN exhibition OF dress and jewels as . like
event in the city, but there is an exhibi iSion Of
rosy-cheeked health and beauty at the c,,untry
dance that might mako even d6butaiits at
Delmonicos envious. But the feature CT the
Northwoods dance most likely to attract q item
tion could be warranted to set the audience al
New York variety theatre half wild. It 10
the snowshoe dance, but the song with It ia
appreciated here for its local hits. Tho cos.
tume OF the dancer Is about as interestinlG to
the stranger as the dancer himself althou Eh 10
Is common enough in the North Woods. Il
consists OF n heavy plaid shirt in which black,
lemon yellow deep red, and orange are strik.
ingly contrasted; Q pair OF heavy wot,llen
drawers OF the sort here worn as trousers, and
which are usually OF one bright color. such -
cardinal red, cerulean blue. or grass green, ac-
cording to the taste Of the wearer. and pair
OF felt boots. into which tho bottom Of the
drawers are tucked. OF course. The boots are
of a color to contrast with the trousers, black
boots with red trousers being favorite COM
bination. To the boots are strapped pair OF
snowshoes yard long. The shirt fits the
stalwart form loosely, and its narrow collar Ia
turned down. A leather belt supports the
trousers instead OF suspenders 1t is dresA
that Is very popular among tho woodsmsn On
account of Its gorgeous coloring.
After the dancers have been to supper and
everybody is feeling first rate. tho snowshos
man walks clanking out to the middle Of the
uduCluR uoOT, Wuuo tu0 EeSt RdtuoE AOVut tu0
walls Of the room so that all may see. Then he
bows honors-to-your- pardners fashion, winks
at tho flddlers who at once draw their bows.
and he is ready to begin. Hero are three Of the
stanzas Of the song with the chorus to each:
Now. what would do whom the bx1ards they ~
To drift the flying snow half up to the sky
But sit by the FIRE for to smoke and snooLA
Wore there no such things aa the raQuetts aheeef
whoopi The snowshoe's good enough clog fer -
Be Eoshl believe could climb tree
For I'm going for to dance tho snowshoo JIG.
Tho old woman she say she has got NO meat
And little deer fat would taste pretty swesk
There's crust on the and the deer cant nm
So strap on your snowshoes and have some fun
whoopi The snowshoe's q good enough clog fer ~
Be gosh believe l could climb tree.
Just settle yourselves and prepare for to feel
The shanty shakin' to . snowshos reeL
Amelia sits BY the nre for to weep.
For Dan can't come cause the SHOWS - deSpI~ II
But tho gnowshoes the fairy thatll ease her pain.
And fetch her Dan'l to her arms again.
whoopi The snowshoes . good enough clog Ter n
Be gosh believe l could climb troe.
Now. hold your breath and Ill make em wharr
In the snowshoe waltz of old Herkimer.
The, admonitiop, to grip yer pews" in the