Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1883-11-15
In the Surf.

, ny oNA3 S"io 1t' cpOop.
endyke, as he stepped out of his
bathing house, and thumped on the
door of the one occupied by Mrs.
Spoopendyke, 'are you ready? We
must hurry into the water and out
again or we won't get through in time
for dinner.''
Mrs. Spoopendyke emerged, bent
almost double and shivering with the
cold.
"Isn't it rather chilly?" she asked.
'Not at all, Mrs. Spoopendyke. not
at all; the air is rather cool, but the
water is warm. If you are going
with me you want to move along"
As they reached the beach, Mr..
Spoopendyke left his wife and boldly
strobe into the surf. A wave broke
over him, filling his eyes, nose, ears,
and mouth, and then he strobe out.
"What're ye standing there for,
eh?" he demanded. ''What do We
take yourself for; a lighthouse?
Did ye come down here to take a
bath, or are ye waiting for some ship
to tie up to you! What's the matter
with you, anyway ?''
'I'm afraid of the waves" whim-
pered Mrs. Spoopendyke, "they's so
big"
"Oh, they're too big for you, ain t
they?" retorted Mr.. Spoopendyke.
"Wait till I get man to saw off a
little one. Better get measured for
one to SUIT, hadn't you? It's the big
waves you want, 1 tell you. Look
here!" And Mr.. Spoopendyke
marched boldly into the sea again.
He turned his face toward the shore
and beckoned to his wife. Another
wave caught him and landed him high
and dripping on the beach.
"Why didn't ye come when call
ed ye? What dye want to make me
walk all the way up here after you
for?" shrieked MIR. Spoopendyke.
"Are ye waiting to be launched, like
a ship? Can't We walk as far as that :
What are ye hoistihg up the legs OF
your pants for? They amt skirts.
Now, look at me. See how I go in,
and you follow me when l beckon to
you. Watch me now."
| Mr.. Spoopendyke plunged in and
swashed around few minutes in
safety, but the treacherous water was
biding its time. Another wave caught
him and rolled him over, pumped it.
self into his stomach, drew him un-
der, whirled him around and finally
deposited him, howling, on the sand.
SCOT most ready to get in7" he
jerked out, as he climbed up himself
and assumed a perpendicular. ''Thinl
I'm going to slam around oil day like
waterspout, waiting for you? Wha'
did you come here for? Find any
fun standing there like a soda-watel
sign? Why don't you get in the wa
ter, if you're going to? Come OF
now"
"I'm AFRAID" snivelled Mrs. S
,"n go in I know I will be drowned.
"No you won't get drowned, eth
er. Can't you hold on to me? Wha'
did you put ON that shirt and trouseri
for if you meant to get drowned
What are you doing around here
Now, when / get in again, you com
along or else you 60 home"
Mr.. Spoopendyke plunged into tn
surf, but as he came up he misse'
the rope. For a second or two h
sprawled around and then began t
yell. Mrs. Spoopendyke eyed hir
for a moment, and then her fear TO
t him oyercame her fears for herself
and with yell she dashed in an
hauled him out by the hair.
"Dod gast the water" choked hi
3 ISpoopendyke, "I'm full Of the meas
i ly stuff. So We got in, didn't ye
L Let go my hair, will ye? What d'y
think you are, anyway, o steam bal
ber's shop? Going to let go ths
hair some timer" But frightene
n out of all reason Mrs. Spoopendyh
d clung on still, and hauled Mr.. Spool
!. endyke to his bathing house.
/, "Oh, if ] hadn't saved your 81
: isobbed.
= "Oh, yes, you saved me, didn
you?" sneered Mr.. Spoopendyk
ssAlI you want is four air-tight cor
:, partments and two sets OF those pil
: to be q patent life raft. Going
llet 90 of that hair!
ct And as she released him they We
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