The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-23
FUN ON FROZEN FIELDS.
ENJoYMENTs WHICH NOTHING BUT
ARCTIC WEATHER CAN YIELD.
Disagreeabie In Many Respects Though
1t Be, the Treacherous Condition Of
the Earth Yet Affords Delightful
Pastime for Multitudes.


the Earth Yet Affords Delightful
Pastime for Multitudes.
A whole week OF sleighing, skating and
tobogganing, with several back counties
yet to hear from, is quite novelty for this
garden spot Of the universe. This, too, in
the faco Of such exhilerating sport and
rosy-cheekcd excitement in pedestrianism.
II really begins 10 look as If there was
revolution in the seemingly fixed order OF
things, and that Montreals famous annual
institution, the ice palace, with its attend
ant festivities, would soon become feature
OF midwinter pastimes in this part OF the
sunny southland. The greatest tinge OF
sadness connected with the whole business
is, what is TO become Of that time honored
birthmark, the appellation Sunny South"2
Since it has vanished like the festive
strawberry in church supper, nothing
remains but to make the most Of 1t, resign
yourself to the changed condition and go
in to have as much fun as box OF
monkeys That seems to be just what the
dear people have determined upon and
are doing.
keep in dc middle OBJ do road" as
daily illustrated by the timid-footed Men,
phian. would overshadow the empty senu-
ment poured forth by $40 a week burnt
cork ballad singers like as the cathedral OF
Rome socludcs the fidgety little church
mouse. Sidewalks were useless pieces OF
furniture, save where man had secretly
conspired with his shoe man, had spikes
placed in the beelsof hisshoes, and amazed
the beholder by his marvellous daring.
Truly the spectacle is awe-inspiring. On
either side OF the thoroughfares for ve-
hiclcs, ten feet more or less, OF solid, I'M
scathed ice lie basking in the sunlight that
failed to light, silently inviting the way
fnrer to place but one foot upon its smooth
surface and draw upon his or her de-
voted head the mocking laughter OF all the
| imps in purgatory. The lungs OF the
aforesaid imps are still in condition OF
innocuous desuetudc, and why2 Awful
examples were not forthcoming in suili-
cient numbers 10 arouse the owners TO n
state OF frenzied excitement.
As il by magic-though il il the work OF
old and young, black and white, rich and
poor, have taken up the poetic movement
chnracterizng expert skaters when in the
hight Of their fayorite sport. The stately
mntron, when she ventures shyly from
her comfortable home, takes mental sur
vey OF the fields OF ice, and determines TO
move at all hazards, does 10 with an ar
tistic manipulation Of her feet, seeing TO 1t
that her form keeps up with tho process
sion. The maid and miss carry with them
all the qualities that mark the matron,
minus the shyness about moving.
They emerge from comfortable rooms
for that very purpose. The Grabbed old
bachelor, and conservative burden laden
father, 20 into the affair with more eau
ton, rs though IL were a matter Of vital
concern, mayhap life and death. Their
iirst move is to.peep from the window, the
second u reconnaissance from nearer point
OF view. the third an examination TO see
| that all iastenings are secure, the fourth
an inward prayer that all bones will be in
tact whom they return, and the final one n
nervous "let-her.go-G allager" splurge.
But the boys-proyidence smile on them
they would ask nothing better; they sail
from the paternal roof into unmilgaled
bliss, returning at hours OF darkness, any
where from II to 3 O'Clock a. M. covered
with radiant smiles, dropping oyclids and
buckets OF penpiration. Oh, they're great
institutions, ami cause more anxiety 10 the
mothcrly soul than all the rumoB Of Rus
sian hostilitics 10 the unwIshed Sultan Of
Turkey.
New fields for the exercise Of the skating
and shedding crizo have been discovered
II has long boon dcbatablc question az
10 what practical Use the disiguring Bayou
Gayoso could he put That problem has
at last been solved, provided no inquiry Is
raised rs 10 future uses. AT present the
unpopular Disagreement Is serving great
end. IL fills out a want long felt into mag
niiiccnt proportions. Saturday Il was dis.
covered that the turbid back water refused
10 exhibit any signs Of animation. A re-
connoitcring force Of small boys sailed
forth to learn the cause, and whether or
not Il was trap set for the unwary. The
surface appeared frozen, II felt frozen, by
Ganny. II was frozcnl To what depth.
was II substantial A council was called
and ways and means 10 determine that
matter woru discussed. Finally an
adjournment was taken TO the Mill street
bridge. while one Of their number went on
a iomging expedition for something suit
able 10 test the cruising. At length he NJ.
turned with AN empty beer kcg. No one
who has never been u boy aud felt his
brightest hopes hanging by thread,
~ II were, can tithnm tho emo.
tons Of that small but firmly linked band
while preparations for the test were being
hewcd out They were madly surging FROM
toe nail a. hat crown. THE muscular mem.
her OF the band raised that beer kcg high
Ia air, hold IL for ono awful moment
and then let 'cr fly over the bridge railing,
There was mighty rush TO the edge OF the
bridge, n crnning OF nccks and brief space
81 terrible suspense. dull but hollow
thud fell upon their cans "a the keg
struck the leo, and with unspcakahlc 10y
they saw the arbitcr Of destiny roll along
It's surface, not a ripple from the buried
tide oozing forth 10 warn them Of danger.
That WIS enough. They made for that
Ice. and called in the ncighbos. These
ncighbos had other ncighbors, aud now
the whole OF Chelsea has deserted every
thing for the frozen bayou. Those who
cannot navigate in the necessary style, and
have mo- one 10 propcl improviscd coasters,
stand for hours aud watch, with mingled
feelings Of sadness and pleasure, the de-
lights Of others. For the hrst time In his
tory. the bayou In that section Of the city
Is a recognized bcneiacior.
Have you been tobogganing ON the
Court street blulf YETI
Well, u you haven't, you ought 10.
Funl There II moro fun 10 be had
there In seven seconds than you can have
on a sleigh In an hour. All yesterday aft.
Il - 4 n. -