Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-02-17
SKATING FOR LIFE.

The snow, which had been coming
down for hours, gradually ceased, the
soft flakes changing into an icy sleet,
stinging the faces Of pedestrians, and
converting the feathery covering Of
the streets into sheet of glass, over
which locomotion was becoming more
and more impracticable. The leatless
branches of the trees along the side
walks swayed in the rising wind, drop
ping fragments of ice upon the heads
of the passers-by, and occasionally, no
longer able to sustain their icy bur
den, coming down with a sharp crash
on the pavement below.
The office of Messrs SHINES G. Har-
court, Attorneysat-L Law, presented a
cheerful contrast to the dreary scene
without. A huge bed of Goals glowed
in the open CRATE, and lit up still more
brightly the crimson rug and curtains.
The two gentlemen, themselves the
only occupants of the room, seemed to
appreciate their agreeable situation,
as seated before the fire. they allowed
newspapers and chat to supersede, for
the nonce, briefs and law books.
Skating at the Park" said Mr..
Simmes, the junior partner, as a street
car bearing the announcement in large
letters rolled by within sight OF the
window. THAT little flag will bring
JOY to the hearts of the skaters"
Il confess" said Mr.. Harcourt, fold
ing up the newspaper, that | still en-
JOY the sport as much as the young
people 1t puts young blood in the
veins-skimming over an icy atnos-
phere. Now this roller-skating is a
miserable substitute. | suppose that
is the only kind you ever enjoyed,
SHINES, in your benighted section,
where you can hardly save enough to
coo your summer drinks.
You are very much mistaken, my
dear fellow" rejoined his companion,
returning from the window where he
had been viewing the arctic scene be-
low. 'In my section, as you call it, !
have felt as cold weather as here-per
haps I'll except the present blizzard.
You remember | came from Kentucky.
We had splendid skating almost every
year.
Indeed. You indulge in it here,
then, | suppose
No" said Mr.. SHINES, never. /
have not skated, he continued, reflec-
lively, for twenty years; and then
skated for my life"
What exclaimed his friend, were
the wolves after your
Mr. SHINES smiled. Yes, he said,
the wolves were after me; and near
ly got me, too
My dear fellow cried his compan-
ion. slapping him upon the shoulder,
sis it possible I've known you so long,
and you've never told me such an ad
venture. Here, sit down. We have
nothing specially important on hand
this afternoon, SO suppose We devote
it TO the recital
We'll, if you are willing 70 run the
risk of being bored. But perhaps your
sympathies will be on the side Of the
pursuers.
-. l..
SHINES laughed. They were not
beasts, he rejoined, they were hui
man wolves; or perhaps that is too
harsh term to apply TO them. They
were simply doing their duty in try
ing to catch Inc.
You are growing mysterious,
SHINES. guess the sheriff and his
posse were after you. Was it arson or
murder that you had committed"
Neither. In fact had committed
no crime, that was aware of. and yet
| was escaping for my life, and my
pursuers were perfectly right in en-
deavoring to capture me"
We'll. no more riddles, if you please.
Ny curiosity is sufficiently whetted, so
proceed" and Mr.. Harcourt settled
himself comfortably back in his chair
in the attitude of a listener.
His partner sat meditating for sew
eral moments. Twenty years ago"
he said, that is a long time ago, Har
court 1t makes me feel quite elderly
to think that | was twenty-four years
old then"
well, l was nearly thirty then
Mr. Harcourt vouchsafed this comfort
ing piece of information, and his com
panion continued.
1T was in the winter of '65. when
the whole country was involved in