The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-02-12
TIRED OF PLAY.

Ills SlNlecH-NeaT-Olu son cdilc Hlto tIic
room at supper time and dropped into
his seat at the table.
''Yes. sir" answered Roswell. sulkily.
''And brought in the wood and coal?''
"Yes. sir
"Then you may go to the village to-
night"
Il don't want to 60 to the village"
For the first time Mr.. Hofford APP
pcared to notice his sons air OF discon-
tent. and he said. kindly:
What's the matter, Roswell? Are
you siclso'
NO: I'm just tired ont. that's ALL.
replied the boy. giving the table-leg a
little kick.
Tired. are you?'
"Yes. am. am worked to death. "
Mr.. IIotfcrd laughed pleasantly.
You don't look as if you were in
danger of dying. And don'tthink you
do more work than other boys of your
age
II don't know about that. rejoined
Roswell in a dscontented 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 I 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 Some" admitted Roswell.
but nothing like want to. wish |
had nothing to do but play. like Rollo
there"
lyon d soon get tired of living dog S
life. said Mrs lIoiford, with an amused
look.
NO. wouldn't" said Roswell. conf
IDENTIFY. Il never had enough play"
VERY we'll" said Mr.. llofford. with
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, continued Mr.. Hofford.
Il 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. ms 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.
III 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
60" pleaded Roswell. aghast at the
thought.
Cant help it. You must not do any
thing but play.
Roswell laughed.
Very we'll" he said. lightly.
Then he finished his breakfast in
silence and strolled out.
lie 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-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
uslSed. 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.. Hotford asked him how
he was enjoying himself. and Roswell
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. 1t is not play. You
had better go to the village and play y
Roswell got up angrily. put away the
machine and went out In an hour he
came back. saying he had had quarrel
with Perry Gantley, and had head.
ache SO he went to bed.
The next morning he rugged up a
swing i'm the woods back of the house
and amused himself for an hour. and
then went fishing. but as he had ne
| luck, he hardly spoke a word at dinner
| time.
/ During the afternoon he read for q
/ few minutes and then took "A walk
/ through the woods, returning so tired
that he was glad to e" to bed right after
/ supper.
Thursday was simply dreadful. I,
raincd all day, and Roswell read unit
his eyes ached. Then he tried to sleep
romped with Rollo awhile. and at las
went to the barn.
Mrs. Hofford followed him presently
and found him currying Prince.
Come. Roswell. this won't do" sh,
said. quickly. NO work"
| Roswell threw down the currycoml
with an impatient exclamation. and re
turned to the house.
He did not make his appearance at al
at supper, and Jennie reported that h,
was lying in bed, asleep, She supposed
Mr.. II ,fford smiled but made no remark
Friday morning Roswell came dow
very early aud Mr.. Hofford met hin