The Van Buren press., 1897-03-06
ON THE ICE.
~ CHARLES y. McLCRE-


Early December had brought cold,
stIll days, followed By sharp. windless
nights. No snow had fallen There was
a glare on Mendoza the like OF which
had not been seen in years. From Madi-
son shore to Governors Island. from
the Yahara to the neads Of Middleton,
the CLASSY plain reflected winters
sun by day. the winter stars by night.
skaters were Ia eestasies. Yelling
curriers' swept imaginary obstacles from
the polished path of the whirling
stones. Varsity athletes played at
polo, pull away, cross tag, or skin the
devil, as occasion prompted or fancy
wiIIsd. Proper youths glided about in
company with the fair co-eds and maid.
ms from the town. Small boys swarmed
and played at shinney. The Ice com
panies came. They fenced off large
acreage and began the harvest of the
crystal crop. leaving each succeeding
night new expanse Of yawniag black
ness, which. at each recurring dawn,
presented ST innocent sheen Of thin
skinned temptation whereon daredevil
townies and hare-brained preps trified
with destiny.
The sails of Peg Woflngton, pennant
winner of the umptgfve regatta,
dropped In a melancholy way of the
foot of Francis street; and her owners,
Carmichael, Sanborn and Denslow.
gathered about the fireplace IN the long
room of the Psi Upailon lodge on Mem
dots court and growled.
"Are you not going home for Christ
mas, 'eolone1?'" asked Denslow.
"Not T. I am going to stay right
here in this house, and Dood' Mayne
and Bert Dorey are TO stay with me;
and we will take care OF Peggy for you
II there is blow.
"You see" he continued, with the en-
fhusiasm Of an underclassman, "the
mother and sister are somewhere in
southern California. the father il In
Washington, and the paternal roof Is
quite devoid Of prospective Christmas
cheer. The pater, In letter contain
ing a Christmas check, suggested that
IT would be commendable proceeding
81 his beloved son would devote certain
regular hours OF the short vacation to
general polishing up In Greek. The be-
loved son thinks he sees himself buck
ing out of term-time, he doesl"
Christmas races came on. The lodge
on Mendoza court joined the neighbor-
ing chapter houses in proclaiming that
silence which is said by long-sufYering
residents OF the classic neighborhood
TO be actually audible during vacation
time. Peg Wellington was anchored in
the offing.
A few days existence under the new
order of things saw the library con
verted into a sort OF Bohemian paradise.
In this retreat the three underclass-
men whiled away such hours az were
not spent aboard Peg Wellington. Here
the trio were to be found on the morn
ing Of the fifth day.
"Hear the wind" cried White.
won't the dainty Peggy go up in the
air to-day"
"How dark II grows" said Mayne,
looking across the lake. And what a
windl hope IL won't snow"
"Oh, II can't snow" said Dorey.
In half an hour they were out on the
lake making ready the Peg Wellington.
The wind came bowling out from o
bank Of copper-colored clouds. 1t was
cold, and keen, and biting. The sun
had a ring. Things had dirty, yellow
light on them. The sail tapped and
creaked in the gale as they stood the
yacht against IL. Dorey erawled In.
Colonel" wrenched on the tilier. Mayne
caught the plank as she moved away,
and came bnck into the box.
"We1l wish we had some Of the fel-
lows out on the runner plank to-day,
shouted Dorey, pressing his cap down
over his ears. WED better stop and
reef as It Is, 'Dood' She'll lift clear of
the ice when we get out towards the
Point and into the full sweep Of this. .
II can tell you one thing" Colonel
shouted, land that Is that we don't 20
out beyond the Point to jump that crack
to-day. We were only too lucky 20
make IL yesterday where 1t was only
three feet wide. II will spread In this
wind so we can never jump IL. Geel
But we are spinning!"
The sun went under the mounting
clouds.
"No wind at ALL" scoffed Mayne.
1--WE are enough weight for Peg in this
puf. just what we needed to 60 with
the ice. II Carmichael and Sanborn
and Denslow and some Of the other
fellows were here we'd have to knock
under and give 'em the boat Wed
better enjoy a good thing while we've
got H."
They were running nearer to the
Point. The wind seemed to be gaining
in velocity. II came IN ftful sweeps.
The third runner came up in the air
with one Of them. and seemed inclined
10 stay there.