FLUSHING SKA TING-POND. 165 



party, too much on the gui vive for the superior at 

 tractions of Flushing to make engagements for any 

 of those places, waited and waited for Weeville. 

 After the rest .of the skating world had been enjoy 

 ing themselves for a week, he appeared at my office 

 in a great state of hilarity. 



&quot; Keady at last,&quot; he shouted. &quot; Willis wanted the 

 ice to be solid ; a careful man, that ; no accidents 

 while he is in charge. But last night fixed it. The 

 ice is at least six inches thick, and to-morrow the 

 whole town will be on hand. Nothing like starting 

 right ; put some one with brains at the head, and 

 you are sure to go straight ; twenty years experience 

 does not pass for nothing. I suppose you have been 

 impatient, but remember we have no life-saving ma 

 chines, and it is better to be on the sure side, if it is 

 a little slower. Come in the early train to-morrow.&quot; 



There was great excitement in warning and col 

 lecting our forces, and we did not get off as early as 

 we hoped ; but having at last managed to cross the 

 river and reach the train except a few couples that 

 were left behind we were soon at the Flushing- 

 depot. 



Instead of having wagons ready to carry the party 

 at once to the pond, as he had promised, Weeville re 

 ceived us alone. His usual hilarity was wanting, hi? 



