Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1903-07-18
The Loser Won

He's a muff all round, outsid
school work, Pm sure. Can't play
little bit anyway" said Dougla
Metcalfe.
"Rummy clothes he wears, eh
Hat looks as if it had come out o.
an old clothes shop" said Frank
Newlyn.
'He's sullen sort of beggar too
! suppose he's proud of his poverty
some fellows are like that, you
know" George Marchant remarked
| All the three speakers were from
Denmark House, and the boy they
referred to was Herbert Grierson,
who had just come to the school at
the beginning of this term.
1t was Saturday afternoon of a
warm day in early summer, and the
| three boys were strolling down to-
ward the bay on the heights over
looking which Denmark House
stood. When they reached the
beach they found some half dozen
other boys undressing preparatory
to bathing. A large, broad beamed
boat lay out in the bay. One or two
other boys were now in it. Among
the rest was Herbert Grierson.
"We'll swim out to those fellows
and have a dive from the boat"
Douglas Metcalfe said. In two min
utes the two were swimming toward
the boat, followed closely by Tip
poo, Douglas terrier. They scram-
bled into the boat. The others were
now in the water, with the excep-
ton 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
Douglas.
'Iet's see if he is as good at
swimming as he is at Virgil" he
whispered to his companions.
Gown up, now, Douglas. You're
a bit jealous of Grierson. You're
afraid he's going to run you hard
for head of the class, old chap"
Newlyn said.
ooh, as to that l don't care much
one way or the other" replied Met
calfe, with a show Of carelessness.
''But l fancy Pm his match at
swimming, anyhow. But we'll see
in minute or two"
As he spoke Douglas pretended to
stumble against Grierson's clothes
and, recovering himself, struck the
hat with his hand and sent it spin
ming into the water.
Hello! That was jolly clumsy
of me!' he exclaimed.
In moment Grierson was in the
water after his hat, which the breeze
had caught and carried to consid-
cradle distance out in the bay. Tip
poo was before him, however, and |
swimming toward the hat.
''Now, then! He's got a pretty |
good start. Well see who reaches
the hat first. But | must send that
little rascal Tippoo back" said Met
calfe, who was one of the best swim
mers in the school. He leaped into
the water and struck out with all
his strength in the wake of Grier-
son.
All were now watching the chase
of the hat with interest and laugh
ter and cries Of eco it, Douglas!"
"Strike out, Grierson!" '"The hats
going to Win!"
1t was quite clear that Herbert
Grierson was a strong and expert
swimmer. For a little Douglas Met
,alfe 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
vas with keen sensation of satisfac-
ion and triumph that he at last
overlook and passed his rival.
The hat was now floating a few
ards in front of Metcalfe. The
chase Of it had proved a harder one
han had been expected. Metcalfe
md Grierson were now far out in
he bay and, of course, much beyond
heir depth. At this point strong
current swept past the bay. The
liver Clean emptied itself into the
ea at the north horn of the bay,
md this caused a current which set
n a transverse direction across the
,ay oceanward.
Both boys we're by this time in
he center of this sea stream. Met
alfe's hand closed upon the hat. {
t was his intention to swim back
Nth it toward the boat and replace
upon the little pile of clothes and
hus put a triumphant finish to his
feat.
L n