The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-09-25
.CHIMMIE FADDEN,
By EDWARD w. TOWNSEND.

meek. from III anu Ie CODpcIS mas
took dat into der training-does dat
has rough house beats. 1 puts kiddi-
trough de tricks until he was red in de
face, n den he says, rs q q good
kind Of way to meet Z trouble dat you
can't side-step?"
If don't have to go bail for him
breaking a collar bone, III be a happy.
happy pa,
1 was on me knees. wit kiddie's right
forearm under me chin, Joining him
de back mug, when Mr.. Paul strolls
along. and pipes us off, n says, rs
dat one of de studies Little Duke has
to pass in?"
No, sir" I says. Desc is called life
p~reservers. When you have got de
~yOunsster perfect in it. I'd like to give
hir~ a few wOids of advice about his
conduct in school,"
When kiddie heard dat. his arm
around me- neck give q grip dat near
puts ms down and out. Perhaps he
taught he'd stood for all de advice dat
was due him but l says Sure, sir"
I save. Let 20 your holt. me son. or
in anOdder minute YOU Will be a half
orphan"
Besides says Mr.. Paul. wit a smile.
seeing how de youngster looks. when
l give advice I always also gives a box
Of candy-tO make sure dat something
dat | gives is took"
So de tree of us sits down on de
lawn, n Mr.. Paul says as solemn as
de judge in de tOmbs. he says: Now
me little gentleman, and kiddie got
so chesty wit being called dat. Cat he
near busts de buttons off his jacket
Il has a few Woids of wisdom for to
impart to yOu, dat will set you so far
ahead of your fellows. dat by de time
YOU get into college. all de swell So
cieties and clubs Will be out after you
wit grannlin" hO~'- and fishing nets"
Riddles under lip began to get shaky
and he looks at me like he was saying
dis is a bad man 1 hasn't lost no
graphing irons. neider am l looking for
de inside of 2 fiShing net
DE reason, goes on Mr.. Paul. dat
so many young gentlemen do not sue
coed in our universities and odder seats
of learnin~ is dat dev is not put next
to the proposition until DER minds has
been loaded wit tings out Of books
Little Duke looks up at dat like he
seen de candy coming his way; for he
has never yet broke his legs running
after book Joining and Mr.. Paul. seeing
dat he had a audience, goes on:
De school you is going to is known
as a prep. school; which de same is a
school dat is meant for to make a boy
a man. for only men is took into col
leges dat plays ball. Dat brings U.s."
he says, comfortable, and lighting a
cigar, ito de main point of our dis
course. If you're or de lookout for
fame, and wishes to be known from de
Battery to de Bronx. as a man to be
admired, engrave desc Woids upon your
mind: Play Ball!"
Kiddie snuggles I'D TO Mr.. Paul at
does wOids, and 1 seen dat he fought
dat he was in good company. after all.
Act upon me advice, in your prep.
school, and den your pat in college
will be straight and easy. Dere is many
kinds of ball in Thu life, and all of em
must be mastered by de oun gentle
man who expects honor, fame, and de
high regard of his fellows. Refrain
from WOik, and go in strong for play.
Do not be led astray by dose what hear
lectures, n digs tings out of books.
Dey gets noting dat will do EN- any
earthly good. and besides dey cooks
DER college standing by such weak
ness.
PLAY ball! Base ball. foot ball. hand
ball. golf balls. cricket-al kinds ex-
cept high and low ball. which is what
we call a post graduate course"
Riddle was now licked to death. and
not Il bit leary of Mr.. Paul's big woids
what he uses to make his sentences TO
roll along from one to anOdder witout
no hitch.
I'm de merry merry. spring time do
not tom to tOughtS of love, but go out
upon de m wit de Nine. Dere
you Will See dat de young gent dat
gets de most praise and attention is
de one dat shows he has put in his
Easter vacation practIc1ng new coives
dat will puzzle de crack batter.
Later roam over de fair green's. n
see if you can approach a hundred
yards. and put ten-if you can, fame is
smiling upon you and getting ready
TO aEight."
Hes no farmer" Kiddie whispers TO
me. his eyes popping out of his head.
Next de tennis nets Will be Set. Take
your racket. and if you can bluff a
stroke dat looks like you was going
to send de ball into de next county. yet
make it land wit a gentle puff just de
odder sidee of de net. give tanks to de
goddess of fame. for she is making
goo-goo Eyes at you"
Gee" says de kid, IT didn't tink it
was so much fun"
Den later" says Mr.. Paul, go down
TO de water where stalwart crews are
getting very wet. and ask de coach Tor
to be tried OF # you haven't already
been picked for an oar = de tank. De
coach will revile YOU wit beautiful
langwudge; de oars allow, and a-stern
Of YOU will mutter tings dat no mama's
darling ought to hear: you'll wonder If
de next stroke Will pull out ~our arms,
or your eyes, and if only de seat of
your trunks. or a inc or two Of flesh.
has been cut into dat time YOUR slide
idn't wOik: but never mind-Play
Bali"
Sure. Mr.. Paul" says kiddie. It's
great"
Mr.. Paul winked at me. and says,
Your son promises to bring honor to
| your house. Later in de season woik
| upon de gridironed field. where heroes
Wit flying locks are Joining how to die
for DER college. and to be glad of It.
"Of course. you'll occasionally en-
! counter IN college a professors. and
yet graver instructors. who will make
! 4 bluff Of wanting you to have more
! than a vague idea of wedder de Greek
dIeresis is de dots over double /. or is
de close Of 4 ~diptong."