Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1892-04-14
THE SKATING RACE.
How Bob Trey Captured tho
Bicycle.


Its shore was lined with the Tonsville
people. Old Squire Tonsvil, who was
referee of the great skating race, had
with due dciberation and sundry raps
with his long staff walked to the CEN
ter OF the big curve and tested the ice
by laundering upon it with an iron
spike.
This was unnecessary All knew
that tho ice was safe. There had been
steady freeze for week, but Squire
Tonsvil was man of consequence in
louisville township, and liked to
show it.
The place had been named for his
father. He felt the Importance, too, of
being chosen referee.
The squire turned to the shore.
"Thet ice would hold Noay's Ark"
he said. "Uml an all the critters, tew.
Um! you boys get on your gliders and
line up"
The boys, who were indicated by a
wave of the hand. Immediately tossed
their coats to their friends and 'lined
up" opposite little flag made of a
piece of red flannel tied to a wire
which had been fixed in the ice
All louisville inhabitants were out to
see this race. Hardly family lived
within ten miles which was not in
some way related to at least one of the
ten stalwart, 1.-the young men who
stood, with flushed checks, bright,
eager eyes, and bodies poised at the
starting line, waiting for the signal.
The race was to be skated over a
course five miles long, going and COM
ing-two miles and half to the end of
Long Bend pond and return. To the
winner would be presented safety
bicycle of the best manufacture.
Five of the competitors were broth
ers-George, James, Henry and Bob"
Tracy. John was twenty-three years
old, and Bob was sixteen; and the
others were Sin between"
One of the other racers was Jack
Hilliard, tall, merry young fellow,
just back from college. Long Bend
pond lay upon his fathers farm.
Another was Sam Williams, agile,
splendid on rush, but "short- winded;
and the other three were VIII Walters.
Joe Howard and Harvey Simns.
The Tracy boys were all fine speci.
- mems of active young manhood. Henry
and Bob were young giants; Henry
was six feet and one inch in his stock
ing-feet Bob was one inch shorter.
All the Tracy boys were fond of one
another, but Henry and Bob were in.
separable. Filing a stone at Bob,
the neighbors said, land you'll hi
Henry" The best of feeling, for that
matter, prevailed among all the cor
testants
With one hand Squire Tonsvil held {
huge red bandana handkerchief a
arm's-length, while with the other he
held his timepiece, which he regarded
intently.
Suddenly the handkerchief futtereC
and dropped. Before the stentorial
"Go!" from the squire had reached tn,
air, ten figures were gliding swiftly ;
dozen yards away.
The spectators, silent before, set VI
great shout Each competitor hat
SO many friends on the bank that moth
ing but medley of yells could b.
heard.
Sam Williams, with splendid rush
skinned by the others, who, thougl
going at fast pace, were skating
Bteadilyp Williams friends howle'
with delight
The cheering proved too much 70
Will Walters, Joe Howard and Harve,
Simms. 1t excited them to undue et
fort at the start They forged ahead
too, and before half mile was GOV
cred they were abreast of Sam.
Except for the sharp ring of tn
skates on the ice, everything was 81
lent. The shouts of the anxiou
friends at the starting-point were nov
hushed. The skaters were out of sigh
at the bend
Struggling a little now, the racer
made no noise. All their energie
were needed in their work. They ha'
no breath to spare. With bendcd bod
les they swung steadily forward, witt
long, muscular strokes.
Once only a little excitement wa
caused. Sam Williams, still going a
faster pace than was wise, caugh
his skate in protruding twig. ID
fell heavily and slid several yards.
He was on his feet in an instant, ant
with forced rush reached his forme
place at the head. The fall, however
hsd hurt his knee; and that, combined
with the exhaustion produced by hi
sudden squirt. was fatal to his chances
He was wipded when the turning poin
was reached
In response to cheers and "catcalls
Of those gathered at this point WI