Year: 1871

hanging whip. we ny along. The bright ana glsten-
ing snow may dash In ones face, foam may dash
from the heaving sides Of


THE AETTLED ANIMALS,


to whom the drivers cry encouragingly, but one
cares not 80 long as his companions on the road are
just little behind him. Wn0opl whoopi and away
we go over the snow. cracking the ice stirring the
mud, where the fakes lie thin round the corners,
out in the middle OF wide stretches OF drift. or they
ny joy0usly. This Is


THE IDEAL PICTURE OF SLEIGH RIDE,
but how seldom is it realizedl The morning OF q
promising day may appear resolutely cold and un-
compromslngy frosty, but before the coachman
can dust out the sleigh and make the harness shine
the merry sun comes out TO melt the snow to tears
OF laughter, soft wind meanders through the
streets, and while the thermometer ascends above
the hopes Of the gay descend below zero 1t is only
on very rare occasion in this now most capicious
climate that the pleasure inviting snow remains on
the ground long enough. That yesterday was not
one OF those occasions oil who were out on the
Brooklyn roads need not be told. II was M orning
Of great expectations and an evening Of much dls-
appointment. The snow, which during the previous
night iell TO depth OF two inches In some places,
and three In the more unfrequented streets and on
the open roads, melted toward noon and by TWO
O'Clock


DARK UGLY PATCHES OF vERDANT MUD
made their appearance. TO the livery stable
Keepers ana 10 the pasSlonate UeVOLeeS OF
these signs OF quick shaw were ominous Of disap.
pointment. Nevertheless there were a few who had
made up their minds, or whose wives sisters or
sWeethearts had reso.ved-wEich amounted 10 the
same thing-to take advantage OF the presence OF
snow on the streets to essay sleigh ride In the Park
And SO 1t happened that when, at three O'Clock,
HERALD reporter, muffed to the eyes in unnecessa-
riy warm rugs and seated behind mare OF gentle
ouohed anu rna d n n o Se anu
PARK, he found number OF Innocent seekers OF
roady excitement there before hinL Taxing advan-
nf nf cnnyU onhn nlnt hpH
wAYSIDE SLUSH


with teams and in cutters they gded or tbumped
rough, until q hollow part Of the beautiful PARK
leading down to the skating rink was reached.
Here was a level run smooth as glass; place where
mood stretch ahead Of half mile. Here was the
best and the only sleighing OF the day. dozen
or so OF cutters and an occasional team rushed over
the wet snow, and there were


ONE OR TWO TRIALS OF SPEED,
Notwithstanding the orders OF the Park Commits
sloners The animal that lew over the road with
the HERALD reporter and his companion evluced a
decided disposition to run run away from every quad,
pluck to indulge his disposition he did succeed
in distancing all the horses on the road. The Park
through the branches of the bare leaess trees cast
patches OF sunlight on the half frozen snow, which
the intertwnng limbs blocked out IRON the covered
ground the grateful light; and overhead the blue
azure sky, on whose bright uome scarce cloud ca.
reered along 0bedent TO the wayward air. con-
tributed to render the scene at once beautiful and
enchanting. Merry, musical Dells ringing cheerlly
In the clear air; the laughter OF Joyous girls, the
hum OF happy voices resoundlng from the skating
rink, ana the neigh Of spirited horses lent their in
1uence TO make the


UNCERTAIN PLEASURE OF THE UNsATIsFYING SLEIGH.


ING


an unqualified delight. But Notwithstanding the
lair weather and the pleasant surroundings IN the
Park, there were but very few who venJured De
yond the snowy patch on the Park highway, already
mentioned, VINO remained above half an hour. The
roads grew browner and darker the snow began to
disappear, and 1t became question for many now
best to reach the city without misnap. The splen
did turnout5 usually seen on Slelghlng days were
absent from the Park the road and the avenues,
the Oldest inhabitants OF the hoselreS the favor
tie routes could not recoect seeing during the
tire day familiar face


RUN HOME


through the city NEST difficult OF accomplish
ment, but there were patches of snew on clinton anu
Schermeri.orn streets where straight dash was not
only possible but enjoyable. And these patches were
fully enjoyed By the fashionable hd6ntes or those
localities. But altogether yesterday as seignlng
carnival was decided failure and Its dying groans
in giving Dlrth to the merry new year which Is
Ushered in this morning VIII not wet single eye Of
tue pleasure-iOving people or the City of Churches