The Washington times., 1902-02-01
SLEIGHERS TN FORCE
ALONG THE AVENUE
They Started Early and Some
Remained All Night.
SECOND DAYS SPORT THE BEST
A Joke Is Told on Mounted Police
amn. Who Is Said to Have Arrested
Two for Fast Driving. Only 10 Dis
cover They Were Girls.

With more than 200 slcighs dashing up
and down its snow-coyered area, Penn
sylvania Avenue presented an animated
appearance last night. The sleighers were
out in force, starting in as early as ;
O'Clock in the evening, and some cCntinu-
ing all night. The second day of sleigh
ing was novelty TO all Washirgtonians.
and crowds of envious citizens who were
rot the fortunate pcssessors of sleighs
stood on the various street corners watch
ing the merry-makers pass.
Last night the ice was in splendid con-
dition; in fact, the sleighing was better
than ever. made so by the heavy fall of
snow at o'clock yesterday morning. to-
gether with the cold, and there was more
than double the number of sleighs en-
the streets.
Fine Specimens of HorseHesh.
Among those who took advantage of
the sleighing were number of prominent
citizens who drove fine specimens of
horseiesh. There were numerous speed
contests, and the sight of two sleighs
running at high rate OF speed over the
snow-covered ground brought cheers from
the throats of the hundreds of citizens
standing on the sidewalks watching,
Owing to the rarity OF sleighing in the
National Capital and his desire to let the
citizens enjoy themselves for once, even
IL they did violate the speed laws OF the
District, Major Sylvester did not send out
any OF his mounted policemen TO intercept
them as was done Thursday night But
even on that night the mounted men made
no arrests.
One On the Policeman.
A good joke is told on one of the
mounted hluecoats by his brothers on
foot.
The bluecoat, who is regarded as one OF
the finest horsenen on the force, was
ordered to patrol his section carefully.
He had warned any number of drivers and
his warnings had been needed. But there
was one party of sleighers yho treated
his commands with contemptt is said.
The sleigh of this party was one of
shapely build, while attached to it was
a magnificent white horse. Up and down
the Avenue dashed the animal. passing
nearly everything il sight. Finally the
policeman saw them as they dashed by
him. and instantly was in pursuit on
horseback.
The sight of mounted policeman gall
Ioping madIy up the Avenue after a party
of fast disappearing sleighers caused con-
siderable excitement. and score er more
of sleighers followed in the wake of the
flying bluecoat to see the fun when he
had overhauled the alleged lawbreakers.
Occupants Were Girls.
From the manner in which the white
,.-.S d-;v ~ IN
tell that the enc who held the ribbons"
was an expert, but the policeman soon
gained on them and after chase Of more
than four blocks he succeeded in catch
ing up with them. Riding up to the
horses head he checked their wild
flight and turning the animals head
around started toward the stationhouse.
amid the shouts Of the crowd of slcighers.
Suddenly he found himself confronted
with two blushing young girls whose rosy
cheeks shone brightly under the street
lamps. Without q moments hesitation
the policeman begged their pardon, and
to the handclapping of the other sleigh
ers beat hasty retreat down the Avenue.
Fun for the Coasters.
But while Pennsylvania Avenue was the
centre for sleighing last night, the school
boys anu ei- - were Wing AAielA iuu III
various parts of the city. In the north
east section First Street hill which runs
into Massachusetts Avenue, was used for
coasting by them. But the largest crowds
gathered On the old Thirteenth Street hill
near the Franklin School.
Despite the fact that sleighing and
coasting were going on in all parts Of the
city. there were Nemarkably few acci-
dents. those reported being of trivial
characters.
sport May Continue.
According to the Weather Bureau
sleighers need not worry, for if the pre-
diction OF the weather man is true. the
citizens of the National Capital may per-
haps enjoy three or four more days OF
sport. According to the weather man
there will be rain or snow today, and the
thermometer will surely drop a number
OF points.
A ~