Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1894-11-24

Mf+- SsssL = IA On the town of
Marysville. Old Sol mad scarcely be-
gun his daily migration toward the
west ere a number of schoolboys had
gathered at the millpond to see if the
ice was strong enough for skating.
To their great delight it proved to be
very firm.
MY, won't it be fun, boys?' said
Hal Anderson, as he took a long slide,
both arms extended.
wish | had my skates here now
said Jack Dayton. sd so without
breakfast"
law, no, you wouldn't, Jack, You
can't make us believe that you would
miss anything to eat" said another
boy.
well, I'd make it up 1T Thanksgiv-
ing dinner, if did," said Jack, gradu-
ally. Anyhow, I'm coming down
right after breakfast, and if you fell
lows will all come, too, we'll have a
game of prison goal What do you
say?"
Well be here" was the universal
reply, and away went the boys to eat
breakfast and spread the good news
that there was skating on the pond.
Jack impaired the news at the
breakfast table, whereat his sister
lrma, aged eighteen and very pretty,
clapped her hands and exclaimed:
"Oh, jolly! I'm SO glad | had my
skates sharpened last week. Every
body will be out, either skating or
looking on, and well all come home
with such appetites! | just know that
Jack will eat all that chicken pie that
| made"
"Il1 leave a piece of the crust for
you, Irma," said Jack. I'm going
down to the pond right after break
fast. When can you Gomez!
"Oh, l suppose I'll have to go to
church and help sustain the family
reputation, Jack Dayton. OF course
fourteen-year old boysdon't know any
thing about such responsibilities. But |
wonder If ] could carry my skates to
church with me? | guess | can hide
them under my cloak"
"Or put EN- on and skate up the
aisle with EN-" Jack irreverently sug-
gested. Irma deigned not to notice
this fling, but continued:
II do hope Mr.. Miller will preach a
dreadfully short m That will be
II thing to be thankful for"
We'll, you'd better skip church and
come out for a game with the boys"
mr.. Dayton, I'm a young lady, if
you please, and l don't play with little
boys" replied Irma, with a mock bow.
"Oh! All! Has Mr.. Archibald Hen
bricks been putting such notions into
your head?"
mo. he hasn't" she responded, with
a sudden blush, and to hide her con-
fusion she jumped up and ran into the
kitchen.
Skates over his shoulder, Jack went
out the door with an Indian war;
whoop and was soon hard at play
with his comrades on the pond.
The village choir that day outdid it.
self upon the anthem, which in length
and volume surpassed even the utmost
anticipations of the congregation.
The songsters left a small margin for
the sermon, which was of moderate
length only.
Irma's thoughts were busy with
other subjects than Bible texts, how
ever. She had noticed Archie Hen
bricks come in and take a seat on the
other side of the church, and she felt
that he was watching her. Just in
front of her sat Keith Walters and his
mother. Keith had been away to col
lege. He was a fine, manly fellow,
and a great favorite.
The Walters and Dayton families
had long been on the best Of terms, so
lrma felt free to greet Keith very
cordially at the close of the service.
college seems TO agree with you,
Keith" said Irma, after the first greet
ing was over.
Indeed it does-especially the jun
- ""'h' VA, AAmos yOu ouBut W Dt
a college ~girl-you'l never know what
fun is until you are"
"0h, pshaw, Keith! I'm going to
have some fun this very day. See my
skates?" And Irma disclosed them
underneath her cloak. I'm going
out to the millpond. Won't you come,
too?"
Delighted! Only ! must 60 home
for my runners; didn't know there
was skating. Iguess mother will let
me go--won't you, mother?"
Yes, my boy--but don't venture
whore the ice is unsafe. It's early in
the season, you know"
mo fear of my getting drowned IL
lrma will only take care of me- said
Keith gayly.
He left Irma at the church door,
after securing from her the promise Of
The first skate.
cs, 4 Sou'u hux1y. said Irma.
Then turning, she saw Archie Hen