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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 24, 1899)
10 OTVfATTA TT.T.TTGTT ? A mTVTk 1J December 24 , 1809. Skating in Hanscom Park Nnturo 1ms been none too ltxvlnh In fur- ulBhlng places where the boys and glrl of tills community may enjoy themselves dur ing the winter days and evenings skating. Of course there are the Missouri river and Cut Off lake , but It Is seldom the Ice on cither river or lake Is In prime condition for the sport. DcsldCH , skating on these sheets of water Is not safe , oven during the co'.d- cst weather. On both the river and the take there are numerous air holes through which the skater Is In danger of plunging at any tlino. Aside from the danger , the Ice la usually rough and frequently covered with sand and snow. What nature has failed to do man has ac complished and when properly cared for the little pool In Hanscom park furnishes an Ideal place for skating. As everybody hore- aways known , the Hanscom park lake Is a gem of Its kind. It Is located down In the southeast corner of the park , well protected from the winds by the hundreds of huge onks , elms and other forest trees , scores of which are shown by the accompanying pic ture , taken soon after the lake froze over this season. The lake Is nearly circular and covers a couple of acres In area , and when In good condition Its surface Is as smooth as gloBB , not being marred by hill , hummock or crack. Two years ago the Ilruiocom park lake was ono of the finest skating resorts In the country. That winter the members of the park commission took the matter In hand and flooded the surface twice a week during the cold weather. The total cost of keep ing the lake In good condition approximated $500. Last winter It was allowed to care for Itself and as a result after the first fall of snow there was practically no skat ing. This winter there Is a move on foot to make the- place more popular than ever. SKATING AT HANSCOM PARK MISS I STOCKIJRIDGE AND LOUIS R. HOST- WICK. The park commissioners have their annual meeting about December 27 , and nt that .tlmo If the skaters take Interest enough In the matter to bo present and present their clnlniH It is more than likely that the mem bers of the board will order the Ice Hooded at least once and perhaps twlco each week. Superintendent Hunt of the Omaha Water Works company , in discussing the propo sition , says : "If the park people want to Hood the lake , we will make a very low rate for the water. I think that It can be done for the entire season for IOSH than $500. Wo can Hood the lake any afternoon during reasonably cold weather and have fine skating for the evening. It Is an easy . > -gS&stttr''y2- * > $ & * * & - SKATING AT HANSCOM PARK MISS MARTHA PARKS Photo by Louis R. Dostwlck. matter , for nil that will have to bo done will bo to attach a hose to ono of the hy drants near thu shorn of the lake and turn on the watcn From ana-half to an Inch of water twice a week will keep the eur- facu cf the lake in the best of condition. " Secretary Dates of the park commission says : "There IB no money in the treasury nt this tlme > yet I think that if the people will take the matter up we. can pqueozo out enough funds to pay for the water , but we must first have Home evidence that the youu ; ; people of Omaha aru nnxlous to have the lake put in condition for skating. They can't stand around and expect the board to tnko the Initiative. " The upper lake In the park Is full of water and Us mirfnco Is pretty smooth , but on this skaters are not allowed , as It Is monopo lized by the members of the Omaha Curling club , who play their games there every 'f OHOUP OF HANSCOM PARK JUVENILES ON 1/U'8 ' " " 08t" wick. - h- 3KATING AT HANSCOM PARK CUES TER P. PEDERSEN Photo by Louis R. Dostwlck. Saturday. Even If skaters were permitted .o use this lake It would bo of little value o them as a resort , as It Is entirely too small , so that It Is skate on the lower lake ; r not okato. . Whence Mistletoe Comes Women the world over are Interested In the pretty green parasite that adds to the fun and frolic and happiness of the Christ mas season. Mistletoe for centuries has been one of the most Important factors In yuletlde decora tions , Its use dating back as far as the days of the Druids. The hanging of the mistletoe on Christmas eve , between 11 and 12 o'clock In many homes Is the beginning of the sea son's merrymaking. The bough is hung In a place where there will bo no obstacle to passing under It , and the penalty for belnt caught beneath Its branches all know. The mistletoe of the Druids Is vlscurn album. It is a true parasite , existing on th sap of other trees , and never at any time is I in contact with the soil. It grows freely 01 apple , pear and plum trees ; on poplars thorns , maples and basswood , and rarely on the oak. It Is said that the only sacrci mistletoe of the Druids was that found upon the oak. The propagation Is by the seeds , These are covered with a translucent , gummy substance. They are placed In po sition by birds , which , In trying to rid their beaks of the sticky seeds , rub them on the bark. The seeds , which are deposited on the cost or north side of the trees , grow more rapidly than those to the south or west. Some Idea of the quantity of mistletoe that Is used annually In London may bo had when It Is known that from the two counties of Worcester and Hereford alone more than 100 tons are shipped each season. Much also finds its way from Normandy and from Franco to the London market. Largo quan tities are Imported yearly to Now York , Bos ton and Philadelphia , and much reaches Chicago. The mistletoe generally seen In the market hero Is a cousin to the European species , and is known as phoradendron Jlavescens. It Is smaller , both In berries and leaf. It Is found In great quantities In New Jersey and south ward through the Carollnas , Now Mexico and Indian Territory. Pointed Paragraphs Chicago News : Party lines are usuall/ drawn at campaign poetry. The stage door frequently leads to the dl- vorco court. Wise Is thu man who derives happiness from his delusions. It Is human nature to attribute the success of others to chance. The magazine poet may bo equal to his task , but few of his readers arc. The goodness of our intentions never ex cuse * the badness of our actions. II It takes nlno tailors to make a man h w many dudes can ono tailor turn out ? Some men who pay their bills promptly want considerable credit for It later on. A Hrst-dnss bookkeeper Is ono who can keep the books away from meddlesome cred itors. Suspicion sometimes makes a square meal on jealousy and finds there Is nothing left for dessert. A western clergyman denounces Sunday funerals. Most people are In favor of post poning them Indefinitely. the antics of BOUIO folks After observing vwi * - - - - - the theory that man descended from the E monkey doesn't soern BO ridiculous. ( Davis & Cowgill Iron Works Fifteenth and JacKsou Streets , Omaha. J. ZADRISKIE , Agent. JB. . COWGILL , Manager. CORNER OF DEAR CU TTING DEPARTMENT. EAST AISLE ON MAIN FLOOR. SECTION OF BLACKSMITH SHOP. 1 PARTIAL VIEW OF STOCK OF IRON AND WOOD PULLEYS , HANGERS , ETC. I' Davis & Cowgill Iron Works , established In 1884 , has steadily grown until at the iresent time It i ono of the bwt equlppeu shops in the west. They do aU kinds of ma- ihlne repairing , heavy forging and brass work ; manufacture electric street railway sup- illos , have the only gear cutting machine ' .n this part of the west , and a finely equipped iattorn and model shop in connection wIU the plant. Always carry in etock a full as sortment of wood and Iron pulleys , hangern , shafting , couplings , collars , pillow boxes , etc. Jrders from out of town receive prompt att t
