Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-07-23

"Oh, It's born IN me, l guess. You
know l am English. / was born in
Lambeth, and we lived right near the
beach. My father was the champion
swimmer OF England for ten years, and
then he gave way for my brother Will
am, who Is the champion now. All my
family swim. Father and Willie and
Charley and my sister Agnes-you see
Us in me-
81 suppose you could swim before yeu
could walk, and all that sort Of thing|
"Oh, dear, mol" exclaimed Miss Beck
with, with little mOlte Of scOrn.
Don't you know how happened TO
learn? Why, as l said, we lived near
The beach, and l was always running
down to the water, but had never been
taught TO swim and l didn't know how.
One day, when was twelve years old,
I was wading around and went out till
the water was almost up 10 my neck.
| was padding there, facing away from
the shore, when a big wave came along
and carried me of my feet. 1t made me
gasp, but caught my breath ana struck
right out with a breast stroke.
That kept me up all right and l
forged ahead beautifully, but l
didn't have the remotest idea how
TO turn around, didn't dare stop, Sc
kent on swimming until some one saw
me and came to my rescue in a boat. l
was pretty nearly exhausted when they
got 10 me, but l was ploughing ahead
as fast as I could 20. i wasn't fright
ened either. That's what troubles peo-
ole most, fright. Even in cases Of
cramps, II a swimmer keeps his nerve
and knows what to do, he's all right"
"What can be doP"
"Why, II he'll stretch his leg right
out and turn his toes up that's almost
certain cure for cramp. II it doesn't
work he can generally paddle ashore
with bis hands or float until the pain
passes away"
What is the longest swim you ever
attempted"
"Nine miles. That was on the other
side. swan from the mainland 20 a
ledge OF rocks nine miles away. 1t took
me FIVE hours and half, and when l
cot there my eyes were so bloodshOt |
could scarcely see, and my face
was so badly eaten by the
salt water that was almost raw. Speak
ing Of the cramps, I don't think care
fol swimmer need to fear them. have
been in very cold water, and had no
trouble. One time took a dive OF al
most fifty feet from the deck OF NOV
ing steamer. 1t was in Septembe Der,
when the water is very cold, aud, what
/, more, il was at Peaks Island, near
Portland, Ne. Il seemed ike plunge
into ice water, but 1t was fine!
The water in my tank here Is heated
up TO % degrees, which is a very pleas
ant temperature. II is Saltd after u is
heated. How large is my tank2 Oh,
not very big, about ten feet long, four
feet wide, aud eight feet deep. II seems
silly 90 me TO get into it. l want the
ocean, aud the modern mermaid threw
her head back with motion like the
iretting OF horse.
August z, am to begin some eXhi-
billions at the Lyceum ia Washington,
and there l will have tank fifty feet
long. When I leave my tank go as
once 70 my dressing room. Oh, but l
didn't last Monday night" said Miss
Beckwith, interrupNng her staid re-
marks with sudden Nttle glggle.
after I got out OF ABE tank and had
started of the stage, q Meat big basket
of flowers was sent Up 10 me. Oh, IL
was a big onel 1t stood this high. .
measuring carefully, i must