Alpena Weekly Argus

A Night at the Rink

Well, I've been to the skating rink. The night I went in, I found the ice literally covered with ladies and gents, who were having a good time among themselves, gliding over the smooth surface, and making all sorts of flourishes, dodging hither and thither, sliding backwards and forwards, and in truth throwing themselves into all manner of shapes, and cutting all sorts of figures.

I fastened my skates firmly to my feet, and with one grand flourish I sprang from the platform, and was fortunate enough to collide with a couple of young ladies who came dashing over the ice at just that moment. Luckily the ladies did not seem hurt, so I contrived by the assistance of the proprietor, the marshal and two others, to regain my feet. A small boy had taken my cap and borne it to the opposite end of the rink, and I was compelled to wend my way among that swarm of skaters before I could recover possession.

I now concluded to watch the movements of the others a few moments before I again ventured out. I skated a few times around without any other mishap than knocking down three or four boys and tripping up one young lady. A few more times around and I began to have a little more confidence, and could manage to get around with more ease and comfort.

I had begun to think I was as good a skater as any of them, and was getting over the ice at break-neck speed, when I came to a sudden stop. I was skating the wrong way around the rink, and having my head down, did not see that there was any one ahead, but there was.

It took, I thought, about half an hour for nineteen men to get up, all of whom had fallen onto me, and when I was at last found and taken to a doctor, he said I might recover, but my coat and trowsers would require the assistance of a tailor, and the shoemaker must certainly have a job.

Skating is such fun; but, oh! the CONSEQUENCE.