Democratic messenger., 1892-01-09
USEFULNESS OF SWIMMING.

\ Professor That Taught the Art and
Yet Could Not Swim Himself.
In my boyhood days water never had
any love for me. Whenever used to
70 with my playmates to take bath
in the creek near the town where | was
born. it would do all in its power to en-.
velop me and draw me down to the
bottom. Stunned il.
But a distressing incident changed
my determination never to go near
water again. | was crossing the old
wooden bridge that spanned the creek
near our house. when woman and
her child fell into the creek. Both were
being rapidly swept away by the strong
current and jumped into the creek
reached the side of the woman. how
do not know today. and tried to pull
them toward the shore. but the antip-
athy of the water was again aroused
and felt myself sinking. Passers by
rescued us and | was the guy of the
whole town. Even today some of my
friends remind me of that occasion.
Then swore that | would learn to
swim. Not far from where lived was
"a school for swimming conducted by a
corpulent. good natured gentleman,
known rs the Professor. 1t was to
him went.
He made some sarcastic remarks
about the inability of n young man of
my age to swim. The first lesson came.
4 rope was tied around my waist and
the professor held the end of it. The
first thing knew was tloundering at
the bottom of the tank. gasping for
breath. That good natured professor
had thrown me into the water. | tried
to cry out to him to pull me out. but
my mouth filed with water Present
ly felt myself drawn To the surface.
and the professor politely asked me
how enjoyed it. calmed my wrath
and told him it was the happiest day
of my life. Now. said he. ''you do
the strokes as count"
"One. two. three. One. two. three. !"
a little more Of that and the first les
son was over So il went ON for ten
lessons. the professor never missing the
chance to pitch me into the tank when
wasn't looking. made rapid prog
ress and was soon able to swim with
out anybody's assistance. although the
professor still persisted in having the
rope around my waist
1t was near my 'aSt lesson. The
professor and were alone in the
school. He was busily engaged in
beating time with his hand : ''One.
two. three" and was doing the
strokes. Suddenly there was heavy
splash Beside me that sent the water
high IN the mir. The professor had
fallen into the water. had never yet
caught him in the water and felt
that il was my chance now 10 get even
with him for always ducking me so un-
tremendously. His big, fat head pres
emily appeared on the surface, and |
was rather surprised at the peculiar
strokes he was making-strokes 40 diff
ferent from those lie taught the pupils
For heavens sake, save me-" he
cried. I'll drown"
Are you crazyG'' said |. why
should save your Twas afraid that
lie had some trick ready to play upon
me
Don't stay there and lcok at me, =
he whinpered. Il cannot swim"
You cant swim Why, you are /.
professor of swimming"
Yes, he cried. but only teach by
theory; never could swim myself" !
crawled ont of the water and laughed
aloud Was there ever anything to
equal this \ teacher of swimming
school not able to swim himself.
Ny turn had come now. called in all
the pupils ana explained the situation
to them and We looked at him helpless
in the water and only greeted his cries
fof-hela with Id son. However. when
there was really danger Of his drown
ing We pulled him out. and it is need
less 10 say that there was no swimming
Scllooi III liistt to"u diieT that. but
although was taught to swim by a
professor who was only master of the
theoretical knowledge of that art, be
came an expert Mt it, and am happy
to say that | was never guyed again
after we had saved the swimming
teacher from drowning in his own tank.
New York Herald.