The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1905-04-05
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M iONSi utdt III llO VA a ~
ruary.
What an absurd expression that is
by the way. At feyer heat in the
middle of February, when the general
climate is SO sternly suggestive OF ul'
sters, arctics, chest protectors and Bal
dmore heaters. But we use it only in
figurative sense. Racketville was at
a perfect fever heat, not according to
the thermometrical pressure, but the
pressure of excitement and expectation.
What was the cause Of this fermentY
Why the following notice, clipped
from the Local Items" column OF the
village paper:
ut is q we'll known fact that the an
nual straw-rides of our esteemed fel-
low townsman, Farmer Frisker, are the
most prominent features of Racket
villes winter enjoyments. Tomorrow
evening, at half-past seven, the best
straw-ride of the season will start
from Friskers house, to travel all the
way to Dan Kelly's hotel at Fairyiew,
where quite surprising sensation is
promised to take place. The party
will return home in plenty of time for
tie next days dinner. Over fifty in
vstations have been issued"
Is it not likely that such an an
nouncement should cause quite a
furore, that everyone in the village
who had the least claim to acquain-
tanceship with the Frisker family
should be looking forward to receiv-
ing an invitation; and that everyone
who had not should determine on 60
ing down to the Frisker cottage to see
the party off? for, in the opinion Of
everyone, the starting off of the an
nual F'risker straw-ride was a sight
not to be missed, or eclipsed either,
even by the great displays Of Christ
mas and the Fourth Of July.
Well, the eventful evening arrived
in safety, and more glorious one for
straw-ride could not have been
wished for. The moon and stars were
out and shining beautifully, the sur
rounding country presented the most
IONCly ChOM NilJ OSN NOhlu
feast upon, and the road over which
the party were to travel was in splen-
did condition.
Half-past seven came, and the great
straw-ride started from the Frisker
cottage amid the cheers Of half the
village populace, who had assembled
to see them off, and the crash of
brass band that Farmer Frisker had
secured to accompany the party.
Music alters seemed to patch up such
a sort O. enchantment around the
scene" he said
There were four sleighs full of in
vited guests. They were all ranged in
line, and, festooned with flags,
branches of fir trees, bright Chinese
lanterns and numerous other decora-
tions, looked quite a prttty sight. The
horses were trimmed up Enthusiastically,
too, like a lot of animals in the holi-
day assortment Of New York depart
ment store.
AS the party moved away from the
cottage the scene was lit up magnif-
Gently by the glare of brilliant fire.
works, which had also been provided
for the occasion.
Then away the sleighs sped in fine
style over the fleecy road like arrows,
and the crisp snow cracked beneath
them with sharp, swapping sounds,
the bells jingled with a merry unison,
and the voices rang out upon the
frosty air with far merrier discord-
ance.
The night was superb. The glisten-
ing jewels of the sky shed soft, ce-
iestial glow over the snow-clad hills
and meadows, and gave the country
the appearance Of an ermine paradise.
On, on few the sleighs, past houses,
fences, trees and mile posts, like loco
motives, until the village was left
many miles behind. On they dashed
through the hills and valleys, and
across the low, white-carpeted mead
ows, past scattered villages and silent,
lonely homesteads, the party enjoying
this pleasant diversification of scenery
all along the route. Enjoying the
scenery and enjoying plenty else.
All, how nice it was! How really
nice it was! Young Simon Lee, for
Instance, sitting with his arm around
the waist of Laura Dale, pointing out
to her the places Of interest upon the
road, the old dead sycamore tree, with
the spring in its trunk famed for such
good water the broken-down bridge
where he used to fish, the haunted
mill beside Brewster's, where he got
her that pretty pair of pigeons some
time ago, etc. All this while her
father and mother, sitting quite near,
we're in danger of looking; when they
were not looking, the conversation
was carried on in the silent language
of the eyes, and made doubly interest
ing by affectionate bouts in hugging
and kissing.
All the other young people derived an
immense amount of enjoyment in pre-
tisely the same manner.
There was one person there who en-
joyed himself as thoroughly as all the
others combined, and, however strange
It may seem, all alone.
That person was Bachelor Spriggs,
quite an eccentric individual, but the