Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1899-04-09
TAKING A LACING.

else in much longer period of time.
l am interested in all boys in general
and in two boys in particular. Last
summer these two decided that they
would learn to swim. Knowing very
we'll that eheir decisnon was
final, partly to. prevent their
practicing deception about the
matter, and partly to guard
against heir drowning, 1 used to take
frequent excursions to the rlvtr with
them. soon learned that they were
not the only boys in this locality who
were fond of the water
One day was sitting on rock un-
der a dropping willow, watching about
a score Of the typical young America"
splashingS swimming, diving and play
ing pranks ON each other when l was
startled by shrill call from the top of
the bank just above me. "A young girl
was calling frantically for her broth
er, who for convenience we will call
Joe, and telling him that his mother
had sent an order for him to quit the
river and report at home as quickly as
possible. Joe came out of the water
wearing a serious look, easily inter-
preted by one who used to run away
and go swimming against orders, then
take the consequence afterward.
"Well, Joe," l asked, "do you think
you will have to pay penalty for vio-
lating law?"
"Oh, yes" he answered, "Ill get a
lacin' fur it sure"
Just ,nen an amusing incident hap
pened in the water and Joe began
laughing and jesting with the boys as
though he were dressing for a banquet
instead of a "facin'." He seemed to
think no mre of his prospective pun
ishment until his clothes were on and
he started up the river bank. l could
see as he neared the top that he was
growing serious and thoughtful but
in moment he was out of sight and |
my dbCHltoh " OuC OlhCl DOyo.
Joe lived near the river and scarce
ly five minutes had elapsed when he
came back down the bank, his face
radiant with delight. ''Well, what
was to pay?" inquired Nothing
this time" answered Joe, "but mother
told me if l went in again today she
would lace me good"
He sat down on a rock beside me, and
we were having a most interesting
conversation when we saw boat
leave the wharf and start up the river
toward us. Joe sprang to his feet and
shouted 'there comes the Duffey," then
turning to me he said, "0h, wish I
could tae her waves"
The boys in the water were all in
great glee. They began getting ready
to take her waves" while Joe walked
back and forth in anervous sort of
way, looking first up toward his home
and then down toward the approach
ing boat. l understood the conflict
that was going on in mis- mind, and /
wondered how it would terminate.
Suddenly he threw up his hands and
exclaimed, Il suppose / II get "a good
lacin' fur it, but l must take them
waves" Just how he got out of
his clothes l never could tell, but |
scarcely had to time to breathe before
he plunged into the water again, and
in another moment he was rolling and
tumbling in the Duffey's waves, appar-
emily the happiest boy in the crowd.
When the boat was gone and the
waves had receded, he came out with
the other boys, all of whom began to
dress. What mgihthave been going on
internallyI do not know, but Joe's
mind seemed to be so completely TAX
en- up with the enjoyment he had just
experienced that really think the fact
that he was likely to have to pay a
price there for was temporarily forgot
ten; but when we all turned from
the river and started home, that same
anxious look that indicated a doubt
as to whether or not it paid to dlsre-
gard maternal law came over his face.
Bue he uttered no word of fear or com
plant. He did not detract from the
enjoyment of the diners by appealing
to them for sympathy. He had will
fully violated the law and he asked no.
body to share the penalty 1t may have
been with some fear and trembling, but
it was withal manly way that he
went to take his "lacin'," and in that
particular, l could not help admirlng
Joe. think his example worthy of
emulation.
Ignorance or willfulness, and some
times the two combined, account for a
great many of the pains and penalties
suffered by the children of men.
Very often mans statement, Il am
suffering today" is equivalent to his
saying, 81 was ignorant or wlllful
yesterday.
In either case his complaint and plea
for sympathy betray him and indicate
to the thoughtful listener that he
needs to be instructed or trained in the
art of self-control. Whichever 1t may
be thath needs, he will create a great
deal less annoyance. and at the same
time lbeget wider admiration for him
self. gf, like Joe. he takes his laclng
in a manly way and learns a lesson
here 9from.
Milking other people miserable by