The Opelousas courier., 1890-03-08
impossible

Another novel idea that should ma
favor with boys this year Is the adapta-
ton of kite flying to the ice. We all
know that many days, when one goes out
for a skate, the wind blows too strong
for any comfort, and We are obliged TO
just skim up and down some shady spot
so as to escape the buffeting and hard
work of beating back against the wind.
On such q day, If the wind is blowing
moderately across the river, a lot OF fun
NAV be had with the kite laid away since
the summer; or, better still, by one spe-
eially made for the purpose. The square
or six-sided kite is the best shape. and II
specially made it should be made with
extra stout ribs and back, orif an old n
is used it should be recovered n
strengthened.
The cord should be very much stouter
and longer than usual, for the more resist
ance that is applied the higher 1T viii
be necessary to let The kite go. Having
everything in readiness, get a friend tt
hold the kite, and start it in the usua
way, skating q short distance against the
wind to get it sup" Then turn, and let
the kite draw you. It is well know
how very little it takes to keep a person
ON skates moving, after once being set in
motion, and it will be readily under
stood what the motive power of a fairly
| large kite viii be. The greatest fun,
however, does not consist in simply
holding on to the kite, and being
| drawn in a straight line along the ice; to
get the maximum of pleasure, learn to
| coast with it. Have the cord wound
upon a good thick stick, long enough to
give a good purchase to both hands and
stout enough to bear the pressure with
out breaking in the middle. Hold this
with bent arms in front of your chest,
and turn your feet slightly to the right.
How far to turn them cannot be ex-
planned in words, your own judgment to
J the pull of the kite must guide you. II
it is not very strong it will be possible
to 60 nearly in q straight line across the
ice, and turning, come back nearly Is
straight. But If it is blowing hard, and
the pull is strong, a moro s~lanting direc-
ton will be necessary.
1t will be found necessary when the
pull comes to incline the body from ths
kite, as If one were doing the "outsids
edge, J. so as to get more resistance, and
then it is necessary SO watch the wind
carefully and be on the look out for
sudden puffs, which, if not anticipated
may result in an unexpected fall OF thu
sudden let up of the pull. Properl!
managed, the kite will take the fye
Swimming along, coasting here and Their
across the ice. or running straight ahead
before the wind, describing zig-zags, o.
any other figure he pleases. This is
very popular sport among the boys il
Eastern and Middle Europe, and the DO.
here who first introduces it to his section
will have an enviable time. Ihave alst
seen boys make 4 light frame work d
lumber like q raft and put it upon run,
ners made of q pair Of discarded wagon
shafts cut To an edge and securely fast
ened to the raft, and then, getting thei
kites we'll up, run down ia the rud1
sleigh with half a dozen Of them sitting
on it, their kites drawing them along
the steering being done by q boys lei
dragging out behind. III the same Wa,,
that-a1ohoggan IS guided