Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-02-19
TIRED OF PLAY.
The Severe Lesson Roswell Had to Lear
to Cure His Discomfort.

to Cure His Discomfort.
Have you watered Prince this even
ing, Roswen?" asked Mr.. Hofford, as
his sixteen-year-old son came into the
room at supper time and dropped into
his seat at the table.
Yes, sir. answered Roswell, sulkily.
"And brought in the wood and coal?"
eyes. sir.
"Then you may go to the village to-
night"
Il don't want to go to the village"
For the first time Mr.. Hofford APP
peared to notice his sons air of discon-
tent and he said, kindly:
What's the matter, Roswell? Are
you sick?"
mo; I'm just tired out, that's all"
replied the boy, giving the table-leg
little kick
Tired, are you?"
Eyes, am. am worked to DEATH"
Mr.. Hofford laughed pleasantly.
You don't look as if you We're in
danger of dying. And don't think you
do more work than other boys of your
age"
Il don't know about that" rejoined
Roswell, in disconnected voice; but L
know I'm working from morning to
night. | have to attend to every thing
in the way of chores. until I'm so tired
that l can't read or study. And never
have any time to play
II am sorry for that" said Mr.. Hof-
ford, gravely, because all boys ought
to have time for play. / thought | saw
you playing football yesterday
'Oh, play soD,e," admitted Roswell,
but nothing like l want to. wish [
had nothing to do but play, like Rollo
there"
YOU'D soon get tired Of living a dogs
life, said Mrs. Hotford, with an amused
look
NO, l wouldn't. said Roswell conf
IDENTIFY. 4 never had enough play"
Very well, said Mr. Hotford, with
a queer smile. Tomorrow is Tuesday;
suppose you start in and play"
And not do any work?''
Certainly not: no work for yourself
or any body else
Roswell looked at his father, as if dis
believing his ears.
Il mean it, tinued Mr.. Hofford.
II will tend to the horse and COW, Jen-
ME will do the house chores and run the
errands, and your mother will do the
rest You will have nothing to do but
play, and ! hope you will enjoy your
self"
I'm sure ] shall" declared Roswell,
joyfully
When he opened his eyes the next
morning it was bright daylight, and he
sprang out of bed very hurriedly, for
getting the changed condition of affairs
Then. as recollection dawned upon him,
he dressed slowly and went downstairs
to breakfast.
There was no one there but his moth
err, who said Good morningr' pleas
antly.
My he exclaimed, glancing at the
clock; IF it isn't ten minutes to nine
I'll be late for school"
''You are not to go to school," said his
mother, quietly. Going to school is
not play"
but I'll miss my promotion if don't
GO" pleaded Roswell, aghast at the
thought.
Cant help it. You must not do any
thing at play.
Roswell laughed.
Very we'll he said, lightly
Then he finished his breakfast In
silence and strolled out
He walked around the yard for five or
ten minutes, whistling shrilly; took a
look in the barn at Prince, and then set
off to the village 1t was almost desert
ed. the boys being at school-all but a
few loaferish fellows, with whom Ros-
well did not care to associate.
About ten o'clock he returned home,
got a book and read until dinner-tilne.
Somehow he did not have much of an
appetite, and after dinner he took his
fishing tackle and went off to the creek.
When he returned at dusk, he had
string of perch.
where's my fsh-knife, Jennie?" he
asked, as he laid the fish on the bench
in the wash-house.
Jennie will clean the fish, Roswell"
called out his mother Catching fish
is play; cleaning them is work"
..Pshaw" said Roswell, impatiently.
He was rather proud of his ability to
prepare fish for the pan.
At supper Mr.. Hofford asked him how
he was enjoying himself, and Roswell
answered that he was doing very well.
After supper when the table was
cleared, he got out lot of traps and
set to work on an electrical machine he
was trying to make, but his father
promptly checked him.
THAT won't do, Roswell. Work is
strictly forbidden.
But this is for myself
No matter It is not play. You
had bette. 20 to the village and play.
Roswell e up angrily. put away the
machine and ", out. In an hour he