Connecticut western news., 1894-04-05
A COAL OF FIRE.

"He's muH all round, outside school work, I'm sure. Can't play csicket little bit anyway, said Doug las Metcalfe.
 "Rummy clothes he wears, eh? Hat looks as if it had come out of an old clothes shop," sad Frank Newlyn.
 "He's sullen sort of beggar too. I suppose he's proud of his poverty some fellows are like that, you know" George Marchant remarked.
 All the three speakers were in the sixth form at Denmark House, and the boy they referred to was Herbert Grier- son, who had just come to the school at the beginning of this term.
 It was Saturday afternoon of a warm day in early summer, and the three boys were strolling down toward the bay, on the heights overlooking which the Denmark House stood. When they reached the beach, they found some half dozen other boys undressing prepara- tory to bathing. A large, broad beam- ed boat lay out in the bay. One or two other boys were now in it; among the rest Herbert Grierson..
 WO II bWAAu OQt to thOoO iCikOWo diAo have dive from the boat" Douglass Metcalfe said. In two minutes the two were swimming toward the boat, followed closely by Tippoo, Douglas terrier. They scrambled into the boat. The others were now in the water, with the exception of Grierson, who stood at the bow ready to dive. His clothes lay beside him, with his hat on the top. A sudden spirit of mischief seized Doug las.
 Let's see if Ee is as good at swim ming as he is at Virgil" he whispered to his companions.
 "Own up now, Douglas. You're bit jealous of Grierson. You're afraid he's going to run you hard for dux, old chap" Newlyn said.
 "Oh, as to that, don't care much one way or the other replied Met calfe, with a show of carelessness. But I fancy I'm his match at swimming anyhow. But we'll see in minute or | two."
 As he spoke Douglas pretended to | stumble agalnst Grierson's clothes, and | recovering himself struck the hat with his hand, and sent it spinning into the |
 water.
 "Hullo, that was jolly clumsy of | mep' he exclaimed.
 | In moment Grierson was in the water after his hat, which the breeze had caught and carried to consider able distance out in the bay. Tippoo was before him, however, and swim ming toward the hat.
 | .'Now then. He's got pretty good start We'll see who reaches the hat first. But must send that little ras- cal Tippoo back" said Metcalfe, who was one of the best swimmers in the school. He leaped into the water and struck out with all his strength in the wake of Grierson.
 All were now watching the chase of the hat with interest and laughter and cries of "Go it, Douglas, Strike out, Grierson, ""The hats going to win
 It was quite clear that Herbert Gr1er- son was strong and expert swimmer. For little Douglas Metcalfe did not gain yard upon him, but presently the onlookers could see that the space between the two boys had narrowed. Metcalfe was, in fact, doing his very best, and it was with keen sensation of satisfaction and triumph that he at last overlook and passed his rival.
 The hat was now floating few yards in front of Metcalfe. The chase of it had proved harder one than had been expected. Metcalfe and Grierson were now far out in the bay, and of course much beyond their depth. At this point strong current swept past the bay. The River Clean emptied itself into the sea at the north horn of the bay, and this caused current which set in transverse direction across the bay, oceanward.
 Both boys were by this time in the center of this sea stream. Metcalfe's hand closed upon the hat. It was his intention to swim back with it toward
 the boat and replace it upon the little pile of clothes, and thus put trium-
 phant finish to his swimming feat.
 Metcalfe was now facing toward the shore again. Grierson had turned too
 The latter was quite aware that Mer. calfe had acted as he had done mol to recover the lost hat and restore It tt
 it's owner, but in order to prove his su , periority in swimming before the rest of the boys. The latter raised a cheer ] as they saw Metcalfe striking for the ! land again, holding the hat in his hand. r Then they saw Metcalfe stop suddenly. h The arm that held the hat dropped and 2 disappeared below the water. q Grierson, now swimming yard oi 8 two behind Metcalfe, gave few vigor. l. | cfr xy1 ial h,,,. alo !. side the latter. But before he could
 stretch out hand to prevent it Met
 calfe's head went under. Griersof aivsa at almost the bams inemsht. In