Year: 1869

Deauullul devils abound everyWhere-at
the theater, the park, in the ballroom, on
Broadway, and in nearly every gathering
where both sexes are represented. At this
season of the year they intest the different
skating parks where their deviltry and in
genuity has full and excellent play


The last incident that has transpired was
enacted on the Central Park Pond at New
York, and made quite little sensation for
few moments. The particulars are briefly
these A nice young man, residing in the
City of Churches, visited the above popu.
lar resort last Monday evening, for the
purpose of enjoying numerous turns on the
slippery element, and showing off the ex.
quisite proportions of his captivating per-
son.


Clara Denning was also there for like
purpose, so far as the admiring crowd knew.
Clara is superbly beautiful and captivating.
She was dressed in the hight of fashion,
with dress so artistically curtailed that it
displayed pair of ankles SO exquisitely
rounded and tapering that the beholder be
came utterly dazed as he contemplated
them.


And what was more, all these charms
appeared to be alone on the ice There
seemed to be no one to whom she could
cling IN the emergency Of loosened skate,
or an accidental pump in fact, she
was as gushing as a Peri with no one to
gush up to. Mr.. Softly (for so we will call
him, since he has already paid quite dearly
for his amorous whistle), saw her as she
ghded along in the uncertain manner usual
to new beginners, and like hundreds of
others, he was severely smitten The
weather was exceedingly cold but 4Softy
felt now like throwing off his overcoat, since
this divinity on rockers had awakened
such fame in his bosom. He fairly
glowed


He is constitutionally bashful man, but
seeing how the beautiful divinity labored
to bring out the poetry of her motion, he
glidcd bashfully to her side and volunteer
ed his assistance. She smiled thankfully
on him, aud the result was an instantaneous
and ftvered humping of the principal
blood vessel under his vest. But she ac-
cepted his protfered escort and together
they swung dreamily over the slippery ele-
ment, growing more communicative and
social and TO all appearances more desper-
ately in love.


Before half an hour had passed they
seemed to be on the very best Of terms, and
had partaken of refreshments, including
wine, of which she drank fashionably.-
And then they very naturally sought those
portions of the ice where the crowd was
the rarest and where an envious throng
could not note the glances of passionate
love which passed between them, or make
observations on the location of his fond arm
which every now and then stole investicat
ingly around her shapely waist, or if one
did chance to note the amorous attitude
they could but acknowledge that both par
ties seemed perfectly satisfied with the sit
uation.


By and by her skate become loosened,
and-and would he be so kind as to tighten
it? Tighten it? wouldn't he, though ?
But Clara was coy and rather commit
tai, save on the point of love; on that she
acknowledged herself rather spoony.


Again they swung gracefully over the
ice and again his fond arm stole loveinoly
around her and all the world seemed to
swing before his intoxicated vision. His
timidity seemed to have taken leave of
him, and he, watching his opportunity,
actually stole one or two draughts of nectar
from her ripe, ruby lips.


1t was not long before another accident
befell her skate he had tightened if too
much; 1t was bruising her sweet.little foot
would he not relieve it? To hear with
him was only to obey, and again he knelt
before her and took that pedestal of Venus
in his willing lap, and again he fingered
fondly over the unloosing. BY this time
he had become bolder in his love, and
lingering now became toying with the very
points OF excellence he had so lately dared
only to admire


While in this attitude, man with a
huge frame and monster devil in his look.
pounced upon them with drawn revolver
IN the grip Of his huge fist.


Dog " he Missed, as he presented the
weapon to the head of the kneeling victim.
who at first glance was frightened into i'm.
movability.


My husband" exclaimed the beauti-
ful-devil


Husband" gasped the knelIing wretch,
attempting to regain his feet.


Yes, an injured, outraged husband p'
again growled the man in stentorian un-
dertone. :" But | will have the villains
blood ~


E" No, no" cried the APPARENTLY frightened
girl, acting her part with perfection, "spare
him; he is not guilty !"


Base woman, have not seen you all
the evening? But on second thought, [
will not risk my liberty by killing him, but
will have him arrested; I" and he Gid
ed quickly through the crowd.


Softy rose ..tremblingly to his feet, and
gazed speechlessly at his mariner