Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-01-17
SKATING MATCH ARRANGED.
Col. Rogers and Abraham oppenheimer
Have n Conference In Philadelphia.

gNfs htbDhb Nhst Oppthhfiihtr
Have n Conference In Philadelphia.
Philadelphia North American. Jan. 18th.
Rain drove down hard. Streets
teemed water. Happy grip germs were
out 10 millions celebrating n festival
Of fever. But Mr.. Abe Oppenheimer
Of Logan and Col. j. Harry Rogers Of
New Castle, Dell, the ociogenarian
skaters. arrived promptly at o'clock
yesterday at the Office Of The North
American, eaoh~ hardy old gentleman
eager to meet the other aud complete
arrangements for their skating match
match the like Of which has never
yet been seen. In an hour the wonder
full old men had made the match, ex-
changed Prescriptions for lumbago and
sciatica remedies, evidently fancied
each other very much indeed, and left
hoping that Jack Frost would soon
.swoop upon Centennial Lake and make
the ice smooth and solid 80 that they
could compete on shining steel runners
for the octogenarian skating champion
ship OF the world.
The two old skaters met in the hall
way OF The North American Office, both
arriving at the same time. Col. Rogers
was accompanied by Mr.. James L.
Challenger of New Castle, who will act
as one Of the judges.
'0ERg'' and "Colopel Harry" are
both short in stature. The old Philadel.
phian is solIdly built, but the colonel
has the slim form ora boy. He wore
close brimmed derby hat, short
blacK coat, and he disdained rubbers
for his small feet. His rivals fine shGck
of silver hair VAS covered by soft felt
hat, and be wore his picturesque over
coat that has a big astrakhan collar
and cuffs.
Upon being introduced they stood
apart for an instant regarding each
other. Then both chuckled, clasped
hanos.
well, WE'LL" said the colonel, lin
delighted to soc yoI.'
Same TO you, SIR" said the other
claimant OF the championship title.
"I'm not quite in my usual form to-
day. I've got touch of lumbago."
'tIs that alp said the colonel, with
tug at his white heard. 81 have that.
But wait till sciatica hits you. The
doctor told me I'd have 10 give my leg
long rest. Think of going around
holding one leg up like chicken! I'm
not as old as that. | just put on my
skates and went out on the ice, and
that leg is as good as 1T ever was.
You'll hnd that out when we get out
on the Ice
"oh, / will, will ~" ohuckled Mr..
Oppenheimer. swell, just to show l
haven't any hard feelings I'll send a
fine prescription for sciatioa that l
know about -
And III send you one for lumbago, I"
nodded the colonel.
GOOD, said his rival. Nov let's
get down to business Now, of course,
/ don't want to introduce any figures
that perhaps well, perhaps, you can't
do, you know toe. spinning and"
"Oh, you 60 ahead; do whatever you
can. Don't be afraid of doing what l
can't do don't be afraid. Suppose we
start off with little last skating Just
to timber up. How would little fast
skating suit, oh.
The colonel looked sharply at bis
rival then.
"That suits me- said Mr.. Oppeu-
heimer, nonchalantly. II always take
q fast skate to timber up. Then we'll
do the forward roll---''
And the backward roll. -
"And then III follow you''
Pardon, said the colonel, but I'll
follow you-you're the challenger
Certainly, colonel as you please,
sir. I'll lead off. lin little afraid
my doctor may poke his nose in and
tell me should not skate match -"
''Oh, dear me, - said the colonel,
twirling gray eyebrow. II hope
there'll be no breakdown"
Nj. Oppenheimer looked somewhat
Indignant
.sIl ,ot,,l.,,,, fs.Io..io a..,A IT,.
the meaning Of the word. I'll fool the
doctor, that's all. " They shook hands
and chuckied
10 Long Island wanted TO skate me
three years ago, but he hacked out.
I've been laying for somebody IN my
class ever since. y
$50 have /. 1t will be- q great day Is
fun, wont it, Colonel? Your coming
all the way up from New Castle proves
| to me that you're the genuine article. -
81 had only to look at you, sir, to
know that you were that same thing, "
said the colonel, with how.
Mr.. Oppenheimer arose and extended
his hand. The Colonel grasped it with
! the vigor OF a young mans grip,
II hope,'' said Mr.. Oppenheimer,
you'll win The North American q
medal. I'd be proud to see you get it, -
u hope,' said the Colonel, you'll
win the medal. I'd be proud to see you
get ii. y
| Yes" said Mr.. Oppenheimer, his
eyes twinkling, 81 hope you'll get it
| that is IL you're the best man.
Same 10 you, sir, ~ said the Colonel.
Az they reached the door, MIR. Open
neiner pulled down the brim OF his
| soft hat and said:
Back in ths Cos used to go down
1 to New CASTLE"
1. Indeedyi said the Colonel.
Yes. | used to go down there to
skate with Miss Sallie Campbell. Z"
Sallie Campbellp' exclaimed the
Colonel. What? handsome Saline
Campbellf / skated with her, too.
| Couldn' she skate, though?'
Mr., Oppenheimer rubbed his snow
white beard, cooked his head and said
well, should smile.
| Then Colonel Harry went back &c
| New Castle and "Oppy'' returned tc
Logan to await the coming of freeze.
/ Bay State Gas Case Postponed
Il FVnV