The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1892-04-15

These four yvcrc now Coi-- as fast
rs they could, and with lreat coming
and going in pasps, bodies bent DIV
and arms swinging, were skin q
with great witness over the ice toward
the goal, which was now about two
miles away.
Nearer and nearer came the racers
TO the starting-point. They were now
punched" At a distance IL could not
be seen who was ahead
Suddenly ont OF the group darted
three tall figures, closely followed by
three more.
Now the skates glintei and CLEANED,
and across the pond TO the silent. cN-
pcctant watchcr--who, with too great
ca~crucsS. had crowded across the
point marking the start-camo the
swift. soft aound of the skates us they
touched the ice.
sam WiIliam-. Joe Howard. VIII
Walters and Harvey SimmH, the four
who had rushed At the start, were fall
ing farther and farther back with each
second They became aware that the
race, 20 them. was lost, and were MAX
ing no attempt TO win II now.
As the flying F~oup came closer
Jack Hil4iarl, in his gaud- college
Jersey. c0u'G b, seen in the lead while
close enough bariui him 90 touch him
were Bob and Henry Tracy. John,
George and James Tracy were ten feet
farther back
just when Jack, Henry and I'yb-for
II was evident that one Of them would
win-wcra skating their best. and call
ing UP that wonderful thing called
second wind the crowd began 10
fan back. They had discovered that
they were covering the line.
The skaters were almost upon them.
Henry had drawn little ahead of
Jack. when suddenly, with body bent
almost double. Bob glidcd between
them and took the lead.
Then a startling thing occurred. The
crowd was dissolvinE like smoke in a
wind; and as the last group broke and
ran, 4 little G.rl not more than five
years old was left standing uuugticed,
holding by "a rope a low sled. She had
been overlooked in the general ~cram-
bic. Tumovin~. uncouscioU5 that she
was in deadly danger, she Ea1ed calm
lv at the three skaters who were al
most upon hef.
Bob. in his bent position, did not see
her. All his concentrated force and
attention We're in his legs.
A little ~aepinE cry from Henry, who
said aftcrward. Il wonder now where
! got the wind from, " warned Bob,
who quickly raised his head.
lie was too close to turn. lie could
not stop The crowd on shore were
setting mp q tarly cry IT looked as If
he must crash into the child She be-
gan to laugh, Tor her mind still real
ized no danger
Quick as thought. Bob stopped,
caught the child IN his arms and raised
her mp Then he apran~ desperately
into the air in au C1ielr.r 10 clear the
sled. but caught ai-.tor IN the dangling
rope. ami went down I.'E. % shot,
While he was ia lhe air h. made an
agile turn which brought IiIl down
heavily upon hi. back. This sawed the
child, who hur-cd close o. bis breast
Like an arrow le slid. head FIRST
with his burden, stunned and bruised,
across the liue-thc winner.
Behind him all was confusion. Jack
and Henry had swervcG slightly TO one
side just in time 10 tase troopers"
over the sled, which was flung by
! Bob's fall directly in front Of their
skates.
Henry went first After him, and on
top. went Jack: and thcu-it was 50
HlhA'tNll bIltL Allhh tNlltAA iiAt A0'sti it Tue
| general flownfaIl-in a bunch went the
/ three Tracy boys.
Tor a moment before they crawled
out. rucfully feeling their bruises, IL
! looked like an immense mound Of
clothing which had sprouted innumer-
able arms and legs. Upon rcgliniug
their feet their first action was TO CON
gratulate Bob upon his presence Of
mind and his lr7ppalz
Squire Tonsvl presented the bicycle
TO blushing Bob, amid the cheers Of
the crowd. He aptly expressed the
opinion Of all the spectators when he
said:
Bob, my dear boy-um. It gives
me-upon my word 1 feel honored-in
presenting TO You this here new
tangled ridin' wheel that You have so
well won. And i also wish TO say,
/ voicin' the crowd, that we all admire
/ your quick wit. quick rIiders and your
/ pluck. Take IL and bc happy. Henry
/ d. Morrison, in Youths Companion