The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-03-18
CHAPTER XVII.
ON THE ICE.

John Talbot, either because of his long
legs, or in spite of them, was an excellent
skater; and at the mature a 20 of 30 or
more be still retained a great deal of his
early liking for the paStime. As boy he
lad had enviable opportunities, living as he
then did at the head of long and broad
valley, watered by river with scarcely
any current. In winter this river was in
the habit of OVERLOOKING its banks (bei z
assis ed therein We're neces "A ry by dams
judiciously applied; and when zero came
lurrying d wn the valley on the wings Of
the north wind, and worked its will upon
the sluggish stream for a night and a day
the fortunate youth of the nei 5hbornood
found themselves possessed in fee-simple OF
Il domain of black ice, thirty miles in
length by mile In average bre dtb.
SIX ites had no chance to get rusty in those
days; and of all who used tuem Johh Taboo
could 90 the fastest and cut the most sur
prlSlng and sweeping circumbendlbuses.
In compaf1sO with 50 grant All arena
the narrow boundaries of the pond in Cen
Jral Pa X were noCiling less "a n comic: but
one gets accustomed TO anything, even 70
living for twenty years in a 6x4 stone dun
geon, be eath lowwater ma k. Accord
ingly john had for several years past been
in the custom OF coming to tine pond; once
in while, on winter evenings after bust
ness hours, and there, shod with cleaning
steel, giving the city unpki IS an idea OF
how they cut up didos down East.
But during the winter of our story his
en- ,agemeAI to Miss Bette Cha verhouse oc-
Cured, aud gave nm So uethlng even bet
ter than skA.ing to think about. But the
soul of man is an abyss which can never be
filled; ami JOIN TaibJt, having mad sure
of Miss Bet lie Claverhouse, presenJy be
thought hi!nseH whethei ne m gh5 not TAX
in the entral Park pond likewise. Upon
opening the subject to Bette, IL appeared
that skating was not among that admirable
girls accomplishments. But among her
many virtues was Willingness 10 follow
Johns ad vice and adopt his suggestioIs in
all things; and when he repres .nte to her
the joys Of the frosty science, and pictured
the attractive app ara ce of the youag la
dies who PracIiced 1t, and furthermore
dwelt upon the ridiculous ease and rapldlty
Uherewith proficiency IL might oe &c
qui ed-"Why,n quovH John, "lh COMPARE
son with tyiH- writing. for instance, II is
easier tnan falling oR n hickory log!'-
when, say, be nad d,scouIssd to her in
tnis vein for half hou' or 50, Bette wa
not only ANXIOUS 10 nuke her debut upon the
pond fort with, b & was well-nlgh per-
shaded that s1e would be aDle b do The ou;-
ward roll DacSwa,N, and to cur nor initials
at the first atUe.ult. Ihercupou, uot TO let
the iron grow cook John toJt the measure
of uer foJG, AID ON his way nome the neNt
afternoon he bought her as 90 d n pair OF
skates AZ we're to oe had in y " York city.
Thea, hat.4g eaten hearty "a ner TO
,ethe bitt.e naYIng been fortified against
the cold with plentiful wrappilgs, bseast-
Plates, greayes and gaddtleCs the two
y ung pc pie embarked "a n horse car and
tAvel5l ~ tow on Their way t. Central
ParA
skating" sai d John. rs they left the car,
at FIJI y-nihtn street and pro eeded on tn 'ir
way afOot, lis ilk taihJg III love. You
are surprised, when you try it, 10 find bow
easy ami agreeable is
"Faiiag ii skating may be as easy" Bet
tie replied (for soc now began 20 el vague
app cue ,siols stirring witnin ucr feminine
ailnd), but 'in sure can't D. as az esable.
Dear me! look there That poor girl Sas
only jusl stan nag sail. and all of a su lden
she fell over paca ward with N aw al bunpl"
''5he should Hot have stood still" sal
John, calmly. That is one Of the most