The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-21
tBy Manning Lemen.)

Skating was a pastlme In which the boys
OF Westminster had small opportunity TO
indulge On that account 1t was the more
highly priced and the ambition OF every
boy as soon as he got out of dresses was
to own a pair of skates There were sew
eral small ponds which were 50 shallow
that even the most timid OF mothers rarely
forbade their sons to venture thereon, as
the worst that could happen In case OF ac-
hcident would be a ducking. One OF these
ponds was just back Of the schoolhouse,
but 1t was spoiled by so many girls going
there The reservoir and canal were the
resort of the larger boys and more intrepid
spirits, but Westminster was too far soutn
for these bodies to be safely frozen over
often during the winter and the worst ot
1t was that freezing weather in that local
ity never lasted long enough for fellow 10
get his ice legs.
One season, however, 1t froze up on
Wednesday early In January, and actually
held until Saturday, although the Doys nad
not dared hope for such luck.
On Saturday morning the reservoir was
thickiy dotted with boys and plentiful
sprinkling of men and girls. Such spec
tacular cuttings, pigeon wings and figure
8's as there were among the snowy, and
such tumbling down Of noyices. 1t was
a giddy carnival Fires blazed cheerily here
and there on the shores of the reservoir SO
that one could warm his fingers IL he could
not skate fast enough to keep warm. There
was danger spot near the upper end or
the reservoir and crowd OF boys were
> bantering each other as to who could go
the nearest to the soft spot without get
ting in.
As they tired of this sport, Bob Thomp-
son proposed, Lets skate down to Sugar
Grove"
I'm willing; it's too crowded here, too
many kids and girls" agreed Gilbert Ram
say.
'How about grub?" asked practical Joe
Haines.
"We might buy something when we get
to Sugar Grove" suggested Hal Bennett,
"Ive got ten cents.
ave got five, said Bob, doubtfully pull
ing out his pennies, mo, six,' he added,
counting again.
81 haven't any money; besides, you
conldnt get enough to eat, not even in
Sugar Grove, with dab like that. Let's
90 home and get lunch to take with us
and we can eat ii when we get hungry"
This WINS Gibert's plan.
That's the stuff assented Wilbur
Stiresr "It's>baking day and we can get
doughnuts and stun. We can all meet back
of the tannery and start from there"
because 1t is getting warm and 1t may
soften up before we get back.
In less than half an hour every one was
at the tannery with box of provisions
safely strapped on, except Horace Wilett.
He is always Slow" complained Gilbert
Ramsay. II move we start without him.
just then Horace, painting, came In sight
My dog followed me and l had to take
him home and shut him up" he explained
nd had ba Satd w q n Iri
setter came tearing down the street with
yelps Of Joy.
There he is now" groaned Horace, ''he
got out. What shall do? Go home,
Knight go homer
: 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 re-
, coded a little, but always with the watch.
full eye.
"well. we can't wait all day." said GIL
bert. 'If he won't 90 back, he won't, aud
il he gets lost It amt our fault"
4 81 suppose | ought to go back" muttered
Horace, but he began to put on his skates
Go home he shouted as final threat at
Knight who was skulking around the corner
In most unknightly fashion
No sooner had the boys started to glide
swiftly down the frozen canal than Knight,
his tail waving exultantly In the air. leaped
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 to an end and boys. and dog were
glad of a chance TO rest AS for their appe-
tites, well, Wilbur Stires declared that he
could eat the bark off the trees. There was
store at Lockport with a porch in front
Of 1t and here the boys sat down to eat their
luncheon. knight watched greedily as the
& boxes were opened.
"You don't deserve a bite" his master
told him, but he gave him the bone of
pork chop with some good meat on 1t never
theless and each of the other boys con
tributed to his meal, except Gilbert Ramsay,
who said It was just encouraging him to
follow them the next time.
After they hid eaten they went around to
the pump and had good long drinks Of well
water, Knight tapping up the overflow.
After resting a little while, they were off
again for Sugar Grove and It did not take
them long to get there. One of the boys
\ had cousin In the village and seyera. of
them had acquaintances and soon they were
AL together having jolly game of hockey
why don't you boys stay down this even
{ Ing and go with us over to the Snake Hollow
schoolhouse? 2" asked one of the Sugar Grove
boys, 'They are going to have q debate