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Sports on the Toboggan
W A As he gathers his treasures of snow; Then lay not the trappings of gold on thine heirs, While health and the riches of Nature are theirs this amusement has long been very popu- | Like the rapture that throbs in the pulse of a boy, lar there. Well it may be, for Canada is a cold country and the rivers freeze there, and the snow gets crusted, when in other places farther south tropical flowers are blooming and the air is filled with fragrance. You know enough of winter, its sleds and sports to understand something about tobogganing. "It snows!" sighs the imbecile-"Ah!" and his You see by the picture that there is a steep hill, and there appears to be a wellmade track from the top to the bottom. The steeper the hill the more amusement it affords, while at the same time it brings an increased danger. Rare fun it is to start from the top of this hill and very soon find yourself at the bottom.
You notice that the toboggan sleds have no runners, and are made of strips of wood placed side by side which turn up in front. There is a railing on each side for the hand to take hold of, for it is needful breath Comes heavy, as clogged with a weight; While from the pale aspect of Nature in death, He turns to the blaze of his grate; And nearer, and nearer, his soft-cushioned chair Is wheeled to'ards the life-giving flame- He dreads a chill puff of the snow-burdened air, Lest it wither his delicate frame:
Oh, small is the pleasure existence can give, When the fear we shall die only proves that we live! "It snows!" cries the traveller-"Ho!" and the word Has quickened his steed's lagging pace; The wind rushes by, but its howl is unheard- Unfelt the sharp drift in his face; For bright through the tempest his own home appeared- Ay, though leagues intervened, he could see; There's the clear, glowing hearth, and the table prepared, And his wife with their babes at her knee.
Blest thought! how it lightens the grief-laden hour, That those we love dearest are safe from its power! "It snows!" cries the belle-"Dear, how lucky!" and to have something to steady you in your downward flight. Then you must be well wrapped up, as the two children are whom you see on the toboggan in the engraving. The young lady, whose appearance Like the first rose of summer, her dimpled cheek is very attractive, appears to have a pair of snow-shoes. Very likely she is an expert in walking upon these. Fine fun the young people are having and will be all the healthier for it, will enjoy their suppers better, will get their lessons better, and, if they do not get too tired, will be better tempered.
You will be interested in the following spirited poem, entitled 66 "I" It Snows.
T. SNOWS!" cries the school-boy - "Hurrah!" and his shout Is ringing through parlor and hall, While swift as a wing of a swallow, he's out, And his playmates have answered his call :
It makes the heart leap but to witness their joy- Proud wealth has no pleasures, I trow, turns From her mirror to watch the flakes fall; burns, While musing on sleigh-ride and ball:
There are visions of conquest, of splendor, and mirth, Floating over each drear winter's day; But the tintings of hope, on this storm-beaten earth, Will melt, like the snow-flakes, away; Turn, turn thee to heaven, fair maiden, for bliss; That world has a fountain ne'er opened in this. "It snows!" cries the widow--"O God!" and her sighs Have stifled the voice of her prayer; Its burdens ye'll read in her tear-swollen eyes, On her cheek, sunk with fasting and care, "Tis night-and her fatherless ask her for bread- But "He gives the young ravens their food," And she trusts, till her dark heart adds horror to dread, And she lays on her last chip of wood.
Poor sufferer! that sorrow thy God only knows 'Tis a pitiful lot to be poor when it snows!