The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-02

All conditions were favorable for day
Of merry sport on creek and pond and lake
yesterday The weather was cold, the ice
smooth and strong, and the leisure of the
first day of the year never brought better
fun to those who enjoy good skating.
On New Year Eve there were long faces
when expectant young people read in the
papers that snow was predicted for Nir-
ginia, Maryland, and the District OF
Columbia. The worst fears were realized
when those going home from watch meet
ings and midnight mass saw the light
flakes falling. and felt the chill of disap-
pointmeHt as we'll as that of the zero
temperature But New Year morning
dawned bright and clear, and while the
sleepy worshipers of the previous night
were shaking off their hazy dreams and
getting breakfast, Old Boreas was busy
sweeping the exposed fields of ice and
driving every fake of snow from their
smooth surfaces.
BY II O'Clock the young people OF Wash
ington had discovered as If by instinct.
that there was good skating and despite
social functions at the White House and
elsewhere, wraps were donned, skates
were brought out from their hiding places,
and the crowds began TO move toward the
Mall toward Chevy Chase Lake, and off to
Rock Creek and the Eastern Branch. BY
noon every ice pond was covered, and
through the hours of the afternoon and
evening the laughter and shouts of the
skaters were heard they skinned over
the CLASSY fields of ice on steel-clad feet.
Many were clothed in eXtemporiZed cos
tunes of g-otesque make or colors giving
the ice at times the appearance Of a bal
masQue.
Owing TO its ease of access the lakes and
ponds in and about the Mall were sought
by the majority in quest of winters chief
est sport. Fifteenth Street was the scene
of constant procession going and coming.
Throngs walked rapidly down TO the
frozen waters. There were the millionaire.
the merchant, the clerk in the department.,
the man of leisure and the man of toll.
each with his children or his lady friends.
seeking the diversion of the ice pond and
the eyhilaration of the cutting winds Of
winter. On the ice was a scene of the
greatest animation. Every class was rep
resented on skates. The belle OF Massa-
chusetts Avenue was seen in company with
the most available catch from Dupont Cir
Gle, and both I-9re seen to brush past
spoony couple from the boarding house
district. A seedy clerk from the Census
Bureau not yet three weeks appointed,
touched elbows with his superintendent. a
rugged lad from the SWEETEST part Of the
northwest section was pulling his sister on
sled and trying to distance the blacklist
pickanniny OF the extreme southeast All
classes were there, and all were pretty
much on a level on that democratic ice
pond.
Fun and frolic were infectious. The bit
ing air painted roses upon the cheeks Of
the girls and women, and the toxic effect
of free oxygen hmbered the joints of even
the grey-hsired Government eTnploye who
had been tempted 10 try again the sports
OF boyhood days. But there were good
skaters and bad. Some were as sure of
foot as a mountain goat and some were
sure of fall. In this respect again there
was grand leveling OF classes, and the
rich fell in a heap on the ice as heavily
and as often as the poorest people there
Other crowds found their way TO other
places. and no less enjoyment was expert
enced by the throngs assembled The ice
on Rock Greek, owing to its being hidden
by the adjoining hills, was partially Gov
cred with snow, and was abandoned mostly
TO small boys. But Chevy Chase Lake aG-
forded excellent skating and hundreds
found their way thther. The street car
companies added materially 70 their re-
ceipts carrying the crowds 20 and from the
lake. On the Eastern Branch. also the ice
was in excellent condition. and scenes SINH
lar to those already described were en-
acted there. That part OF Washington to
which the Eastern Branch is accessible
was well represented, and the crowd il
possible, was even larger and the skaters
more animated than at the other places
II was a day long 10 be remembered in
the annals OF winter sport in Washington
AS night fell the weather grew colder
and the north wind freshened. Ii was nc
longer possible to face lis icy breath In
comfort. The cold wave which poured
over the Aileghenies on Christmas DAY
and has remained with gradually increasing
intensity reached the climax last hight
The wind blew a twenty mile gale, and
being surcharged with moisture chilled
every living thing to the marrow. Fol
lowing a bright ard happy holiday III,
increasing cold and wind seemed TO b.
searching for the half clad bodies OF In,
poor and the homes of the destitute. wher,
The increased cost OF fuel means depriva
lion and hunger. As if to mark by hi
sharpest contrast the different sides o
the social picture the weather conditions
VI the first day OF the new year seemed 4
accentuate the suffering OF the city b.
bringing il into close contact with ia
pleasure and holiday joy.
II one is 10 believe The predictions o
the Weather Bureau the period Of inteHs
cold which has been with us more lhal
a week is about TO pass, and be followed b.
moderated temperature. A rise IN III
mercury is now promised for tomorrow