The Washington times., 1904-02-14

~ small, onportunity to indulge On
that account il was the more highiy
priced and the ambition of every boy
as soon as he got out Of dresses was
to own a pair of skates. There Were
several small ponds which were SO
shallow that even the most timid OF
mothers rarely forbade their sons to
venture thereon. as the worst that could
happen in case of accident would be
ducking. One OF these ponds was Just
back of the schoolhouse. but it was
spoiled by so many girls going there.
The reservoir end canal were the re-
sort of the larger boys and more intre-
MD spirits. but Westminster was too
far South for these bodies to be safely
frozen over often during the winter.
and the worst of IL was that freezing
weather in that locality never lasted
long enough for a fellow to get his ice
legs.
One season, however. il froze up on
wednesday early in January, and actu-
ally held until Saturday, although the
boys had not dared hNpe for such luck.
on Saturday morning the reservoirs
was thickly dotted with boys and
plentiful sprinkling of men and girls
Such spectacular cuttings, pigeon wings
and figure SIS as there were among the
SNOWY, and such tumbling down OF
novices. 1t was a giddy carnival. Fires
blazed cheerily here and there on the
shores of the reservoir so that one could
warm his fingers II he could not skate
fast enough to keep warm. There was
a danger spot near the upper end of
the reservoir and a crowd OF boys were
IN ruhn c0IIlG
go the nearst to the soft spot without
getting IN.
AS they tired Of this sport, Bob
THOMPSON proposed. Lets skate down
to Sugar Grove"
I'm willing: It's too crowded here,
too many kids and girls" agreed Gil
bert Ramsay.
How about grub7' asked practical
Joe Haines.
I'VE might buy something when we
get TO Sugar Grove" suggested Hal
Bennett. 1--WE got 10 cents
i've got 81 said Bob. doubtfully
pulling out his pennies. mo. g. he add
ed. counting again.
"I haven't any money; besides, you
couldn't get enough to eat. not even in
Sugar Grove. with a dab like that
Let's go home and get lunch to take
with US and we can eat it when we get
hungry" This was Gilbert's plan.
That's the stuff" assented Wilbur
Stires. Its baking day and we can get
doughnuts and stuff. We can ali meet
back Of the .tannery and start from
there"
And everybody hurry as fast as he
can. because it is getting warm and IT
may soften ND before we get back"
In less than half an hour every one
was at the tannery with a box of pro-
visions safely strapped on. except Hor-
ace Wilett.
He IS always slow complained Gil
bert Ramsay. IT move we start without
him.
Just then Horace. painting. came in
sight. My dog followed me and I had
10 take him home and shut him up. |-he
explained. Hardly had he said it when
a large Irish setter came tearing down
the street with yelps of JOY.
There he is now" groaned Horace
He got out. What shall do2 co home
Knight. go hOme!'
Knight turned and his tail dropped
but he kept an eye on the boys. They
threw sticks and bits Of ice at him
and he receded little. but. always with
the watchfuI eye.
W ell. we wait All cay, SAID
Gilbert. III he won't go back, he won't
and II he gets lost II amt our fault
II suppose I ought to go back" NUT
tered Horace. but he began to put on
his skates. Go home" he shouted az
a final threat at Knight. who was skulk-
ing around the corner in most unknight-
~ fashion.
No sooner had the boys started to
glide swiftly down the frozen cana
than Knight his tall waving exultantIy
in the air. Ieaped and barked along
the bank in company with them They
gave up trying to chase him and he
raced madly to meet the pace they set
At Lockport, six miles down the canal.
the race came 70 an end, and the boys
and dogs were glad of chance to rest.
As for their appetites. well. Wilbur
Stiresf declared that he could eat the
bark of the trees. There was a store at
Lockport with porch in front OF It. and
here the boys sat down 10 eat their
luncheon. Knight watched greedily as
the boxes were opened.
You don't deserve bite" his master
told him, but he gave him the bone OF a
pork chop with some good meat on IL,
nevertheless. and each OF the other boys
contributed TO his meal. except Gilbert
aging him TO follow them the next time.
After they had eaten they went around
to the pump and had good long drinks of
well water, Knight tapping up the over
flow.
After resting a little while, they were
of again for Sugar Grove, and It did not
take them long TO get there. One OF the
boys had cousin in the village, and
several Of them had acquaintance, and
soon they were all together having a
jolly game OF hockey.
why don't you boys stay down this
evening and go with us over TO the
Snake Hollow schoolhouse?" asked one
of the Sugar Grove boys. They are go
ing to have a debate and it will be more
fun than a box OF monkeys. We are all
going
Yes. stay" urged the others.
Wen help EN- debate in great
shape" added another
we ought 70 go back" urged Joe
Haines. He did not dare 70 say that
their folks would be worried about them
for fear he would be laughed at.
They all knew that they ought 20 go
but they were overpersuaded AMI went
with the Sugar Grove boys TO their re-
spective homes for an early supper and