The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1891-02-11
TIRED OF PLAY.
The Severe Lesson Roswell Had to Learn
to Cure His Discomfort.


The Severe Lesson Roswell Had to Learn
to Cure His Discomfort.
Have you watered Prince this even
ing, Roswell?" asked Mr.. Hofford, as
his sixteen-year-old son came into the
room at supper time and dropped into
his seat at the table.
Eyes, sir, answered Roswell, sulkily.
sand brought in the wood and coal?"
"Yes, 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 ap-
peared to notice his sons air of discon-
tent. and he said, kindly:
whats the matter, Roswell? Are
you sick?"
NO. I'm Just tired out, that's ALL"
replied the boy, giving the table-leg a
little kick.
Tired, are you?"
Eyes, am. am worked to death"
Mr.. Hoford laughed pleasantly.
"You don't look as if you were in
danger Of dying. And don't think you
do more work than other boys of your
age"
81 don't know about that" rejoined
Roswell, in discontented voice; but
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 can't read or study. And l never
have any time to play"
81 am sorry for that" said Mr.. Hof-
ford, gravely, because all boys ought
to have time for play. l thought I saw
you playing football yesterday"
'Oh, play some," admitted Roswell,
but nothing like want to. wish l
had nothing to do but play, like Rollo
there"
You'd soon get tired of living dogs
life" said Mrs. Hofford, with an amused
look.
mo, wouldn't" said Roswell, conf
IDENTIFY II never had enough play"
Every WE'LL" said Mr.. Hofford, 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.
II mean it," continued Mr.. Hofford.
81 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 shalt" 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 morning." 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
CO." pleaded Roswell, aghast at the
thought.
Cant help it. You must not do any
thing but play.
Roswell laughed.
Every well" he said, lightly.
Then he finished his breakfast in
silence and strolled out.
lie walked around the yard for five OF
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 book and read until dinner-time.
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 a
string of perch.
"Where's my fish-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
Altar supper, when the table wa.
clesced, he got out lot Of traps and
ss.cvs work on an electrical machine he
was trying to make, but his father
PROMPTLY checked him.
THAT won't do, Roswell Work u
strictly forbidden"
ssBut this is for myself"
mo matter. 1t is not play. Ior
had better go to the village and play
Roswell got up angrily, put away the
machine and went out In an hour hi