The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-06-12

his head buried in the snow up TO the
third button on his coat He was fiat
on his face, with the heels of his shoes
lovingly entwined in the branches of
one of my prime trees.
liberated, he immediately picked up his
shoes and started hillward.
"Good heavens, man. You don't mean
to say you are going to risk your necl.
again?'
Oh. the look of determination that
that martyr frowned on me as he re-
torted-
Did you ever know Hoosier to give
up an undertaking with the first at
tempt? or course Ia. going to try
ugain"
Seeing that argument was useless.
begged him to take different course
and steer clear OF my trees. He did so,
and made most beautiful run. ] feel
confident that some Norwegian evil
genius must have assisted chance to per-
form the miracle. He came stalking up
the grade, flushed with the success
OF his second attempt, and vowing that
10 feet of skis and two feet of the
beautiful" were just the combined ele.
ments for him.
why, l couldn't keep away from
them IL | wished! feel sure that des-
tiny intended me to become champion
on the beaulies!" And he clapped tho
shoes together to emphasize his out
burst.
felt so far encouraged by his mete-
oric success that said I'd go up and try
my own fate.
Iput the shoes on; they seemed rather
large, but Brown said:
"They fit you splendidly? know you
will make good long slide the first
trial"
Breathing short but fervent prayer
made the start II could have stopped
again, ten dollar bill would have
seemed small in my eyes for the blessed
privilege. But 1t could not be. As
neared the steep place l heard Brown
shouting encouragingly:
THAT'S it! That's just the way |
started! You are roaring SUGGEST"
My wind was all gone and ! couldn't
catch any more, although there seemed
to be plenty of it all around me. was
losing my mead. caught glimpse of
trees ahead, ani taking my own former
advice, let myself fall. If had it to do
over again would not sit down. A
skater with II two miles minute head
of steam on has no right To sit down III
business hours Nevertheless ! conf
IDENTITY did SO, but didn't stop; ] moved
right along in the good old way until l
reached the foot of the hill.
Just then the moon modestly went be.
hind - cloud, and as | picked up the
pieces of myself and my wardrobe
felt glad that the snow, at least, was ad-
hesive
l sneaked quietly into the house-for
various reasons didn't want to disturb
my wife-and after arraying myself in
sticking plaster and another pair of
trousers, went out again to try and dis
suade Brown from further gynlnastic
performances.
Hc was waiting impatiently, not car
ing to waste his talent on the empty air;
but AS soon as Iappeared he said
snow watch your uncle!'
"My uncle had hardly started when
his right foot insisted OH going faster
than its mate. The left made a little
squirt once in u while, but the right had
the inside track and plainly meant to
keep it. At last the left seemed to grow
discouraged, and ended by dropping out
of the race entirely, while its mate kept
on as far rs possibe-Brown is tall
mainland then gave one last lunge,
sticking fast III the snow.
Never, outside of Barnum's, have l
seen man in such pose-with pair of
10 foot boards attached to him. 1t was
wonderful! | gazed in rapt astonish-
ment at my friend to see if he would
tortionists at the end of an act; but he
just kept kept on posing.
Pm little hard of hearing, but think
! caught the sound Of forbidden word
from his lips. There may be Norwegians
in the place to which he alluded. but l
doubt much ii there are any skis there.
Before would unite Brown / made
lllll PROMISE W IcSG lok tiuG lhch
/ helped him out Of his acrobatic posi-
tion and we retired into the house.
He vowed that early morning should
see him practicing. But the next day
found us both so stiff from our unusual
exercise that we were glad enough to
lounge about the house and disguise our
lameness by feigning to be rheumatic.
am afraid there will yet be trouble;
for every now and then Brown bursts
out with:
wasn't that second slide of mine a
daisy"
"Yes; but how about the other two?"
ask.
"Oh, that's all right! A fellow can't
make a success at anything in such II
short time. I'll show you yet that l
mean business.
So my wife and / are praying hourly
for thaw to come and take the snow
before my Hoosier friend gets well
enough to renew the battle. It's the
Ill, h,,,., f,Y him