The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-11-14
A Skate for Life
By c. b. LEWIS.

The long evenings OF late fall had come
to the village OF Groveton. and so had
the writing-master. He was a young
man OF IS of the name of Arthur Bliss.
He wrote a beautiful hand, dressed well.
and his manners were engaging. His
class was composed of pupils from the
best families, and among them was Burt
GaiIbraith. the 17-year-old son OF the
leading merchant Of the town, who was
also its postmaster.
On the mill pond. half a mile above
the dam, lived an old man who was
always spoken Of as Crazy Day. As a
matter of fact. he was half-crazy, while
the other half OF his supposed craziness
was made up Of stinginess and a vile
temper. He lived alone, except for
big wolf dog that was the terror of the
country side. The brute had badly
bitten several boys and men who were
not trespassing at all on his owners
property, but simply passing the house.
For three years there had been desul-
tory talk of calling on the law to oblige
the owner % ship the dog away or kill
him. but he was there yet, and grow
ing more savage all the time.
In one of their late October jaunts the
wrIting-master and young Gailbraith had
started to make a short cut across a
corner of the old mans little farm Dog
and owner had come rushing at them
in the utmost fury, but to their own
disaster. Mr.. Bliss apparently ended the
dogs career with a stone and laid the
shouting old man on his back before
-. 81. - H.
situation Crazy Day was held on the
grass until he had grown cooler. but
when let up and allowed to depart he
looked the writing master in the eyes
and snarled:
You are a stranger here and | don't
know you. but if you stay here many
weeks my dog will kill and eat you!'
Mr.. Bliss made no reply as he walked
away. but Burt explained who the old
man was. and warned his friend that the
dog was TO be dreaded as much as
tiger.
But he is dead now" was the writing
masters reply.
I'm not SO sure said Burt 81
thought 1 saw movement Of his legs as
we turned to come away"
Sure enough, the animal had survived
the collision with the stone. as the young
people of the town discovered when the
pond froZe over and they turned out in
FORCE 10 SKATE upon
face. And because of the dog no one
dared to go above a certain line on the
river. Beyond that line the old man
claimed to own both land and water, and
he shouted that he and his canine were
ready to guard them. There was room
enough below the line. however. to &C
commodate all those who wished to skate,
and no one cared to take the chances of
trespassinE on the old mans property
for the sake OF little sport.
The writing master and young Gail
braith took the leading in coasting and
skating. and for some time they were the
life of the Jolly parties that sought recre-
alton in the frosty open. Then suddenly
Mr.. Bliss saw and felt a change in his
young chum. Burt did not withdraw
from the writing class. but he had very
little to say. and had an excuse ready
when coasting or skating was proposed.
Not until others had taken notice of il
lid the teacher give the matter serious
consideration. boy of II is easy to
take offense where none is meant; word
or a look will sometimes give him cause
to sulk where all has been sunshine be-
fore.
come and we'll skate together this
evening said Mr.. Bliss in friendly
fashion one afternoon as he met young
GaiIbraith .on the street. We'll slip of
bv ourselves after the class"
Don't believe l want to- was the
sulky reply.
The writing master ignored the intend
ID rebuff.
81 shall go. and l shall hope for you to
come" he said pleasantly.
I've got a new figure to show you
that a famous champion skater once
taught me- It'll be bright moonlight.
Then he passed on.
At half-past ten o'clock that evening
the writing master was on the pong
alone. The night was cold and WINDY
and did rot appeal TO others. He had to
nut on his skates and keep moving to
keep comfortable. He hoped to see Burt
every time he took a turn, but at the
end Of an hour the boy had not shown
I'D Mr. Bliss was discouraged. TN go
70 the head Of the pond and back and
then go home" he said to himself.
Not thought Of Crazy Day and his
wolf dog entered the lone skaters head
as he started away. The ice was a glare
and the skating fine. His progress was
like that of a bird flying. He reached
the head of the pond in fine style, and
had turned and was waiting a minute TO
catch his breath before beginning the re-
turn flight when the savage howl OF a
IF a man.
go for him, Nero!-Drag him down."
The voice belonged to Crazy Day, and
the dog was coming with a rush. The
beast was not over twenty feet from the
skater, mouth open. fangs showing, and
ewes glinting green and red in the moon
light, when Mr.. Bliss struck out on the
fastest skating he had ever done in his
life or was like to do. 1t was a mile
and half to the dam. and the pond was
clear.
The dog slipped and slid on the CLASSY
ice. but encouraged by the shouts of his
master, recovered himself and followed
the man, who had got 100 feet the start.
GrowI! Snarl, Howl!
Go for him, Nero! Catch VIM, boy!
He's the man that hit you with a stone"
For the first two minutes the skater had
faith that he could leave the dog behind.
Then the patter of feet and the growing
came closer, and Mr.. Bliss made a quick
swerve to the right The dog could not
turn until he had slid on the smooth ice
,or thirty or forty feet. Here was the mar
row part of the river. The skater could
- not pass, but must turn and go back. The
dog followed. and Crazy Day waved his
arms and shouted: