The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-08-18

his balance or have it carried over TO the
next summer. During the winter he was
allowed TO earn money by work, provided
he received no more for it than would
have been paid to any one else, and this
money could be added 10 the bapk ac-
count. One boy brought s.. 70 as the result
of shoveling snow. but the canoe his faith
er gave him could only he kept when he
showed himself able to bay for IL. This
he could only do by borrowing from the
hank the necessary balance. but his credit
was good. and the summer was not half
over before he had paid back the loan.
] have often laughed when l have thought
of the feeling with which that father must
have looked on his sons check, and real
lied what IT. meant. If me boys In Camp
Chocoma learned anything they learned
not TO be ashamed of labor in any form.
The dignity of work was silently taught
them. even as they were taught to expect
tangible rewards.
1t was toward the middle Of the second
term of the camp that the sports took
place For days before the boys We're at
work cleaning the camp up. and the cooks
two Of the boys-were busy getting tho
lunch ready. To the sports all the friends
and relations OF the boys were invited.
and there were usually many grown peo-
pie present There was game at base
ball. some sets OF tennis; there were sail
ing. rowing and padding matches. SWIM
ming and diving contests, foot races and
the like. The prizes were simple enough,
bits of ribbon with the name of the camp.
the contest and the date printed on, yet
they were valued very highly. Splendid
work the boys did in these sports. and
conclusive was the evidence of their thor
ough training during the summer. Those
who attended the sports once were always
glad TO come again. for, long as the days
were. they were filled with fun and frolc
In the evening the boys and their visitors
gathered around the great fireplace in the
dormitory building, and there. In the light
OF the campfire, Joined in the camp songs.
The last song Of all was 1.-THE Battle
Hymn of the Republic" the verses being
sung as a solo and the chorus by every
one present. and IL was with the grand
old melody still ringing in their ears that
the guests took the boats which carried
them home.
There was one prize awarded a the
sports which might come TO any boy. This
was the -. g" pin in silver. Those who
won Ii we're the boys who had in their
own way shown themselves 20 have got
the greatest good out of the camp. and
who had done the most good 70 others.
The pins were not common: two or three.
perhnps were given in summer. and
sometimes none az all. II is most difficult
to define the conditions under which the
pin was given il came as the result OF an
unanimous feeling In the faculty that II
had been won rather than as the result OF
rules oheved. A conscious effort 10 win it
was enough 70 prevent success. The hoy
had to show the manliness. justice, truth,
cCnscientiousness in him. rot for reward.
but because ne had them in him: and then
the reward. or rather recognition. came
Intrinsicaily these little rims are worth
nothing. bat those who have them value
them as they value few things, and they
are right.