Evening star., 1899-01-03
The Mercury viii Continue on Its
Upward Way.
SLEIGHING SEASON NEARLY At An end
Moderating Influences Extend
Practically Over the Union.
PACIFIC SLOPE EXCEPTED

The cold wave Is broken, and what will
doubtless prove to have been the severest
weather of the winter is practically at an
end. The weather bureau gives out the
prediction this Afternoon that the mercury
will continue to climb the scale and will
have no further Irritation with the zero
figure for some time to come. The delight
full fair weather which has marked the
first days of the new year will continue
until tonight, it is said by the forecaster,
when there will be increasing cloudiness,
leading possibly to light rains tomorrow.
The weather will be more and more mod
crate.
The rise il the temperature sounds the
death knell of seehirg in Washington,
which has been enjoyed ever since the in
fant year made its appearance. Today
the merry sleigh bells are tinkling every
where. especially in the residence portion
of the city, where the snow is deep and
where heavy traffic has not cut through
the white, icy coating and spoiled the sport
The indications are, however, that the snow
will soon be too soft for good running and
ne of the best sleighing seasons for many
years pas will son be over.
Ideal Conditions.
The present SHOW is fine and dry, and,
falling as it did upon an icy foundation, the
surface presented for sleigh runners has
been ideal Every one who could possibly
afford to do so has taken advantage of
the opportunity to indulge in the tabled
Pleasures of a ride in a ''one-horse omen
Sleigh! Every rig on runners in the city has
been in service, and sleighing parties have
been the rage. On the fine roads diverging
from the city, where the snow is pack ID
hard and firm, the sleighing has been spIen-
did. For the true lovers of the sport the
ROAD, with its long stretches and straight
away drives, where the horses NAV be
speeded at their fastest gait. is the thing.
But sieighers who seldom have the oppor-
tunlty or the wherewithal to indulge in
the past1me remain generally close within
the city, taking particular care to drive
by places where their friends are sure to
pehold them, sure to see their high-steppine
animal and the trailing fur robe dangling
from the narrow seat
Many sleighers have made trips as fai
away as the Great Falls over the Conduit
road. The cutters glide smoothly over the
compact snow along the roads rarely fire.
quented at this season of the year by heav,
vehicles, and it is here the sport will he
longest enjoyed. Sleighing will doubtless
continue for several days. for freezins @
weather will be the rule during the night
ana the frozen snow will present an excel.
lent surface.
All Sorts of SIeighs.
The parks and Pennsylvania avenue have
been fairly filled with cutters of all de.
scripuons, while improvised sleighs have
also been seen in large numbers. These
consist of sets of runners hurriedly made
by nearby blacksmith or steel worker
and attached to ordinary vehicles beref1
of their wheels for the occasion. The small
boy has enjoyed to the fullest extent the
sliding opportunities of the steep hills about
the city. Bob sleds have been brought out
of the attic and runners polished for use
The smaller single sleds of all varieties
made their appearance early Sunday morn
ing and have been in evidence ever since.
The moderating influences felt here ex.
tend over all the Atlantic states, and
warmer temperatures are reported from
every observation station. Only on the Pa
cific coast has the thermometer taken a
drop. The westerners are experiencing q
cold wave second in severity only to the
one which swept the Atlantic and middle
states during the last few days.