Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-27
FUN ON THE ICE.
There Has Been Good Skating for Three
Days Now.

There Has Been Good Skating for Three
Days Now.
Christmas comes but once a year and skat-
ing does not come to Wsshingtonians much
more frequently nor, as a rule, does it last
much longer. These not the only reasons
that every available piece of ice within the
limits of the Distrtc. has been covered
for the past two days with a
merry crowd of skaters, for skating
is sport that every American Is passionsteiy
fond of. No day is too cold or windy to keep
them from the CLASSY surface over which they
glide go long as the ice shows any evidence of
being strong en- ough to bear them. No winter
game is so celebrating. As one skins along in
the brisk keen air the sensation 10 one of de-
light and as the exercise sends the blood ting
ling through the veins the result Is fascinating.
All day yesterday the vicinity of the monu-
ment, where the most available ice ponds are
situated, the air rung with the whirr of the
shsrp-edged skates as they spun over the smooth
ice. The lakes were well filed with men and bows
and here and there venturesoms miss would be
sailing gracefully along i'll style that many Of
the male skaters could we'll have been envious
or. This morning another large crowd were
early on the lce bent on having all the sport
that could be obtained while the skating lasted,
for though the ice is sufficiently strong now to
bear any number heavy thaw will soon spoil it.
WHERE THE LOB Is BEST.
Unfortunately, the water had been drawn off
the pond neares. TO the White Lot, but a little
remained and this was frozen solidly. SO tina.
those who do lot care to try the other places
find some amusement there, though
il is of a rather poor character. Further
along in the direction Of the river
and just south Of the Van Ness
estate there are two good-sized ponds where tho
ice is quite smooth and there Is plenty of room
for every one. These are the nearest and safest
places to be found. Scattered about through
the reclaimed fats are many small ponds where
the Ice is strong and even, but they are rather
difficult Of access.
For those who are adopts in the sport the
largest and smoothest area is that in front Of
the bathing beach. Near the shore the ice IL
somewhat broken and uneven from the effects
Of the wind, but two or three hundred yards
from the beach 10 almost unlimited space and
there the Joe In excellent The largest number
Of skaters were to be found this morning at this
place,
And what good time they all appeared to be
having. 1t tempted The STAR reporter to
leave his work, hire a pair Of skates from one
OF the many old darkies who make little hol-
iday spending money by this means and 60
skating away 70 join the jolly crowd out on the
ice. He did not stop long enough to have a
good old-time slide and he fell down. too. at
the expense Of his dignity and the amusement
Of the skid, who is always about on such occa-
sions to have the enjoyment Of some one else's
mishap.
PLAYING HOCKEY.
Shiny or hockey was favorite pastime, and
almost every boy had q hooked stick 10 send
the wooden ball whiriing over the frozen water
Another set, firing Of this, would perhaps be
playing tag, while the particularly smooth
places were monopolized by those who were de-
sirous Of showing their skill 6 fancy skaters.
All day long the fun kept up and only when
it becomes too dark to distinguish the few
dangerous places will the sport end for the day
Along the banks Of the ponds many bonfires
were kindled, whore those who got cold could
warm themselves before they again started out.
A figure that is only seen in this city when there
is skating Il the old colored man who pushes
about on the ice a chair fastened to q sled. Al
most covering it are skates and straps which he
hires for . small sum, and il the skates become
dull he ID ready in . minute to sharpen them.
For those who live In South Washington the
Eastern branch affords an excellent skating
place, "A large crowd we're about the Anacossis
bridge both yesterday and today. This IL the
first time in five years that the river has been
frozen %. solidly.