The Republican journal., 1904-02-04
sLEIGHING IN A STORM.

The North Church Y. p. s. C. f. Have q
Six-Mile Drive and a Good Time.
To go or not to 60 was the question which
vexed the self-appointed and temporary
decision committee of the North Church
Y. P. S. c. E., on Monday last, and after
many councils and consultations it was de-
cided that the six-mile drive to the P. G.
Hurd farm in Northport would be under
taken if there was no change for the worse
in the weather.
Meanwhile, messages over the wire from
our hostesses informed US that all would he
in readiness for the slightly diminished
number a haSty canvass had led US to ex-
pect. When the rain began to fall many
hearts fell with it, to rise again rapidly
when snow was substituted. 1t was not
until little after six, therefore, that the
two large teams started out from the Bel
fast Livery Company's stable, all the pas
sengers we'll enyeloped in warm wraps
The storm seemed like one of those gentle,
aimless, half-and-half sort, as if it couldn't
quite make up its mind whether to snow or
rain and decided to do little of both.
That is what it seemed like for a while.
When the shores of the famed Kirby Lake
were reached the storm had quite evident
ly made up its mind, and the snow was
falling persistently, reinforced by occa
sional zephyrs from the Arctic regions.
''The fiat, SO called by the jewellers of
that part of the country, was found to be
particularly polite, as usual, and we had
iucf
buffaloes when we arose from their shelter
with more haste than grace. The cause of
our uprising was the downfall of one side
of our sleigh into what was discovered by
some adventurous spirits to be exceedingly
wet water. Its depths we were unable to
determine, but none of the half-dozen
feet which explored it reported reaching
bottom. No one could accuse ''Sleepy" of
being anything but wide-awake, and with
out the aid of few pairs of "Fortnightiy"
arms we might still be reposing in the
''Slough of Despond." The ACCESSIBILITY of
turning back was then discussed, but no
convenient place presented itself, and as
firm believers in the "Forward Movement
ahead we went. Never before on that Oft
travelled road did the hills seem quite so
| frequent or the dales quite so long Excite
ment, however, kept us warm, and after a
while the welcome lights of our destination
| cleaned brightly through the snow and the
bare trees, giving us the promise of warmth
and welcome within. By this time the
big sleigh was the last of the procession of
| three vehicles, the small pung holding four,
and the larger one six, the original four
having been reinforced by two deserters
from our ranks.
Amid much stamping and clapping of
hands we arrived and shed our outer snow
covered garments in the grateful warmth
of the kitchen. Before long, supper was
| ready for the twenty who certainly were
ready for it, if the rapidity of its disap-
pearance is any sign. After everybody,
even the coffee specialists. was ready, 'pit"
games were produced and jolly hour
| spent. AS ten o'clock was neafed, gen.
| eral stutfle for footwear and wraps began,
and by the time the horses were ready the
entire party, resembling a company of arctic
| explorers more than sane Americans, were
mntfied up ready for departure.
| After everyone was finally settled, with
shouted good-byes and assurances of hav-
! ing had a merry time we started off. The
snow had stopped falling soon after our ar
rival, but a searching wind made the robes
and fur coats seem none too thick. Our
ride home was not exactly a quiet one, as
it was made lively by songs-old favorites
and modern rag-time. Altogether the time
sped rapidly and town was reached with
regret about half past eleven. 1t was the
unanimous opinion of us all that our good
time far overbalanced the few slight dis
comforts and that we are ready to edo it
again" NJ p.