The Elbert County tribune., 1914-01-23
NrEREsr ELsERT eLRERT couNTRv
Hurrah for Roller Skating
Or Rather Roller Falling

Written by an eye witness who met his downfall,
For the benefit of those who did not
enjoy the scene / shall begin with de-
scription of the place.
In the lively town of fllbert, Just q
Short walk from the depot, stands two
story building with the letters 81. o. o
F. printed across the front in large
beautiful type, with the usual three
links, which may represent three per
sons linked together to Legin in safety
the sport of roller skating
When once within the place. one is
Immediately confronted with the four
walls (which are of great benefit to the
skater that he may know when TO stop.
floor, and.a ceiling, which readily de
termines the position one Is to have
while enjoying the sport, but which he
is not quite always able to retain.
At one end of the hall stands rusty
old time heater which continually sends |
up voluminous drafts of hot air for the
benefit Of the seat warmers, who have
come to enjoy the pranks of the fieetinp
skaters, but who cannot quite muster
up courage enough to don the rollers.
To illumine the 'gayety hangs glim
at one end of the hall which winks ITS |
EYE frequently at the lanterns who have
taken their places in opposite corners.
But [ must come to the sport itself |
After much turning and twisting af
skates, one finds himself ready for the
fray, when only too soon does he find |
he is bumped into by another tyro in the
lrt, and of course he makes himself into
a soft pad for the other to light on.
After being picked Ip he finds himself
ready to start again. Now he is little
more successful, owing to the strip along
the wall which serves as support, and
IS therefore able to go three-fourths OF
the circuit, when 10, the floor (for OF
course it could be nothing else) is not
obliged to stand still for second, after
which he finds himself rolling backwards
INTO people. chairs, coats, etc. This
naturally causes him to lunge forwards, |
aIighfing on hands and knees. This
lime, however, he is able to pick himself
up, ana after much rolling forward and
backward, principally the latter, he is
ible to start again.
This time at the end of half a round
le does the "double Dip" and tries to
plant his feet on the ceiling, but natu-
ally is not proficient enough. After try.
ing again couple of times to gain his
ieet, he is successful, and starts after
lis partner, who is compelled to sit,
since she has wheels on her feet, unless
'ome friend, with secure footiug, is kind
enough to escort her around the hall.
Now they are off together, and say,
rave you ever seen the equal? just like
wo birds learning to fly, only much
more interesting. Almost Immediately
loes some idle urchin call out "Quit yer
ioldin' hands" Now if he were the
,oor unfortunate he would certainly hold
much tighter.
This time, when nearly completing the
ound, their attention is attracted by
gust of wind caused by flying coat tail
4 one who is probably under the i'm
ression that he is distributing mail in
Chicago post office, but owing to his
Ugh rate of speed scatters male (and
iemale) in every direction. But lo There
'omes an end to the floor. Horrors
what an impression it makes!
Soon things are uprighted and every
me is again in motion, and is allowed to
kate joyfully for few rounds; but
wing to the mass of moving humaDity,
,se poor child loses her feet. In a flash
shere is number Of struggling bodies
eIambering for help. OF course the
more fortunate ones are eager to offer
their assistance, but OF no avail Their
feet will not maiu long enough in one
position.
after the smoke clears away all are
ready for one more round. This time
the male of the two am describing sue
eeds in "looplng the loop in his part
ner's arms, and on they fly. But to close
the round there is one more grand tumble
and naturally thav hear with inv tho