The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1896-12-08

~SS ~ "a
no game. What do you think,
mother2'
Il hardly know yet, Ray. The cru
sade against swearing is right, but
whether you have influence enough to
hold your league together is doubtful"
answered his mother.
Ray sat thinking a long time. Then
as he rose to go to bed he said: II in
tend to try, anyW way"
Ray was sixteen, large and strong,
at the head of the class, and the most
popular boy in the school.
He was not a perfect boy by any
means, His temper was so violent that
his mother dreaded to zee it reused,
and her daily prayer for Ray was that
he might master his frey temper.
He was brave and fearless, and when
not provoked to an unreasoning wrath,
most persuasive and persistent in &C
comprising a purpose. Fortunately
for his mates he had most excellent
home training, and seldom led his fol
lowers wrong. His ability and willing
ness when aroused to lick a boy did
not detract from his popularity, as he
was usually that boys best friend
afterwards, for Ray was always
ashamed and sorry after a fight.
Ga Monday morning a slip of paper
was given to each of "our fellows"
calling a meeting after school, ia Will
der's barn, to transact important
business"
Boys" began Ray, did you notice
the swearing at the game Saturday."
Yes" said Johnny Benton, 1.-The air
was pretty hot out there; smelled Of
birthstone most of the time"
L guess father wouldn't let me go
any more if he knew how the fellows
swear" said Ted Cameron, the min
ister's son.
well l swore oEce, but I never
wanted to again." put in big George
Simpson.
why 2" asked Jim Gray.
Dad heard me-" said George, at
which there was a general shout; for
Simpson senior was renowned for his
proves at the end Of a rod.
When the laugh subsidized Ray spoke
again.
Jim, if I thought you fellows we're
willing, we'd form an anti swearing
league"
"What good would that do9 We
don't swear" burst in Ted Cameron.
II don't care who swears so l don't"
observed George.
Jim and 1 thought" Ray went on,
I'VE might break up the swearing at
the ball game. We fellows about run
them anyway, and if we refuse to play
with the sWearers, we might do it.
You see we might have a club or 60
ciety with a constitution and by laws
like the men, and take in members and
'blackbalI,' too. There would be nc
baseball for the fellows that swear,
see9''
They'd call US Mollies and Susies,"
said Johnny Benton.
Let 'eml I'll lick any fellow that
calls me Mollie or Susie" and the keen
eyes f 4shed at the thought.
"Well, but, r ". suppose we fail2"
said Ted. Then they'd laugh and and
jeer at us. You know there is a crowd
that calls us goodies"
Boys" said Ray, and a deep under
tone of earnest purpose rang in his
voice, IF we determine not to fail,
We'll not. l have teen ashamed of our
school more than once. 1t is known
as the most profane school in the coun
ty. There is to be a double match game
in June against the Woodside high
school, II we begin now we can't fail.
Well not go into this thing thinking
fail; but we've got to win or we are
Mollies or Susies."
"Hurrah for Rayl" burst out Ted
Benton, and the others joined heartily.
Rays speech carried the day. The
The Anti Swearing League was formed
with five members.
The crusade against swearing in the
Hilton school began then and there.
The boy drafted their by laws, and
then quietly canvassed for additional
members among the better class of
boys in the school.
When the members reached fifteen
this notice was posted On the door of
! the high school building: