Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-03-26
SPORTS AT sHELBURNE FARMS.
An Ideal Picture Of an Old Fashion cd
Winter In Vermont.

Winter at Shclburne Farms Is looked
forward to with every pleasurable antlc-
ipation by many OF New York's 400. The
hospitality of that prince of entertainers,
DIR. w. Seward Webb and his handsome
and accomplished wife is extended to u
host of friends from the metropolis fol-
lowing the festivities and hustle of the
holidays and during the somewhat ted
tous February and March, with their
Lenten restriction and social dullness.
At this time Shelburne Farms, famous
as the summer home of DR.. Webb, pre-
sents an ideal picture of an old-fashioned
Vermont winter, with its accompaniment
of snow, Ice, wind and weather.
Chaunccy NJ. Depew seeking to divert
his mind from multitudious business and
politician cares, steps aboard DR.. Webb $
Wagner palace car on Saturday night at
the Grand Central depot, and is carried
with almost Geographic speed by special
train provided by DR.. Webb to Shelburne
Farms where he enjoys the invlgorating
atmosphere OF Northern Vermont and the
fresh breezes from Lake Champlain.
The visitor to Shelburne Farms in COM
pany with a pleasure seeking party, mas
It in abundance. The day is superb for
out of door sports, and together with a
company eager for enjoyment he dons
furs and skates and speeds an hour on
the large rink n short distance from the
house. Hockey and curling are contesteu'
and the ladies' are thoroughly In the race.
or he may be one of another party whlch
find appetite and rich enjoyment III cliinp-
ing over hills and through woods on snow
shoes Ample variety in routes are fouhd
and trips entirely new LOT uarlpHS cAi
be found each day, -
Next day the air Is warmer, but sun
breeze blowing across the lake. You take
n seat on one OF the large ice boats
playing around in the bay. The yacn'
Sappho is decidedly fast, and no time Is
given for social intercourse as she speeds
along at the rate of n mile in 80 seconds
This sport is seasoned with dash oil
recklcssness, but Is bcwitchingly eXhilar'
ating and colors the cheeks and nose witt
a ruddy glow
| The giddy toboggan slide-ycs with al
| its swiftness the ice cannot compete witt
the toboggan. Dr. Webb's tobogGar
chute is admirably located and nicely
equipped The angle is less acute thar
the average, but the distance traverseo
| by the slider is much greater. slipping &c
| the east 1t gradually falls until 1t reachc.
| the meadow land, and the momentum Is
slowly decreased until the slider stops
| OF his own accord. Teams carry the party
| to the top again and the fun Is renewed.
| For genuine pleasure the slcighng par.
| ties enjoy the most, The doctor Is ru-
mored as the owner of the best coach
| horses reared. His stock barns are
crowded with them, and they are cared
| for by the most experienced stable men
| under the personal supervision OF DR.
| Webb. Modern slciGhs and warm robes
/ make an outfit ready at any moment for
| the guests who delight in sleighinE.
Shelburnc Farms contains 5000 acres, and
the drives are laid out with especial view
of furnishing pleasure to visitors as well
as the owner.
Stormy days the guests stay indoors
and are socially busy with billiards, whist
| and like games and amusements. Dinner
parties are given and evening balls, hav-
| ing all the charms Of Now York society,
are entered into with hearty good will
| New York Herald.