The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-26
THE PUNISHMENT
/ OF PEBBLES.
An Unpopular Young Man With a
Good Brother Who Came to Grief
in the Presence of the Girl.

IN EM1aIi ana DEFINITE oSSOrtrSnts' pVi ""s
unpopularity thrust upon him. IL had
always belonged to him, "a sort OF birth
right.
PEBBLES had brother who managed
to get along with the nickname OF Skimp.
Generally must have noticed tins
IL you are Of an observant trend OF mind
when one Of two brothers Is good Fellow
and the other otherwise, 1t Is the younger
member who wins ont on the virtues.
With the PEBBLES boys it was different.
Skimp, whom everybody liked, was the
elder. PEBBLES rather lorded 1t over him
because he was the cleverer and his mother
believed in him. Skimp endured it. being
large and easygoing and kindly.
When The PEBBLES family gave the house
party at their lake place, Pebbles ran the
whole show. Particularly he crowded
Skimp out in the matter of The Girl
She was very obviously The Girl for both
the brothers. Pebbles showed it by a
ghim and lowering jealousy, Skimp by a
dog-like though lighthearted devotion.
The Girl took whatever came her way with
the eeluanimity Of her sex.
After the crowd had shaken down into
general good fellow ship. PEBBLES announced
a late afternoon party at the country club.
"lts basket party" he said -All the
lake people will be there and each crowd
will bring its own provisions Skimp.
you'll have to 60 to town and order some
drinks sent up. We're short
81 thought we were all going up to the
regatta this afternoon early" said some
body.
$50 We are" said PEBBLES. "We'll PUN
up in the launch and get back in time
But Skimp will miss it If he goes to
town. said the girl.
ooh, if he hustles he'll likely get back
in time, said PEBBLES in his characteristic
way. III he doesn't, he can wait for u.s.
"Humph," said The Girl in tone which
led one of the other men to remark:
I'D rather be Skirnp than PEBBLES in
that race"
As Skimp started to row himself across
the lake TO the train PEBBLES hadn't time
to take him over in the launch-Peebles
shouted after him:
Say. Skimp, be sure and bring out my
fannels from the tailor's. l haven't an
other thing here fit to wear"
IAN right" said Skimp cheerfully, and
was OF
Tho next view any one had OF him was
at o'clock. He was pulling for the shore
with true Moody and Sankey fervor in the
midst of a violent shower. The only thing
dry in the boat was the inside of the grip
containing Peebless clothes, which he
had brought from the tailor's.
With the normal perversity of lake
weather the clouds cleared away just as
he drove the boat up on shore with a final
powerful stroke.
Some on, good people, shouted PEBBLES.
Sect aboard the launch. We've just got
time TO get there.
-Can't you wait for me2" asked skimp,
dripping and GREATNESS.
"Dyou want us to miss the racer de-
manded PEBBLES.
"Oh. give him chance, PEBBLES re-
monstrated several voices. What II We
are late?"
The Girls voice was in the chorus. TN
give you just five minutes" SAID PEBBLES to
Skmp ungraciously. You'll have to
hustle"
But Skimp was already half way TO the
house. He had caught a glance from The
Girls eyes-and he wanted to see that
regatta.
It may have been genuine five minutes
but most Of the watches displayed were
short of it---when PEBBLES, having loaded
his party into the launch, said:
"time's up, we're OFF" and went to the
engine.
and for moment il looked as II she were
going to climb out on the wharf.
But at that minute there darted from
the front door figure in white. 1t sped
across the lawn in a beautiful sprint.
Skimp had been good quarter-miler, the
Wv @Wait minute, he shouted. I'm
coming
That he was coming was very evident.
That PEBBLES was going was equally ap-
parent.
"Too late, he growled, and started the
engine as the runners foremost foot
sounded on the wooden wharf.
stop herl" Put back" Hold onl"
Jump for it," shouted the crowd.
The Girl said nothing but she turned
look or Pebbles that ought TO have withered
him.
"I'llmake it, painted Skmp, and launched
himself from the end OF the wharf over
the widening wnter.
II was a gallant jump, but tho screw had
now got its purchase and the little launch
shot ahead. Skimp flung an arm out, missed
the stern rail and disappeared in smother
of foam.
II is not good form to assault your host
therefore, Peebles's removal from the
engine must have been by force of public
opinion. 1t had all the appearance, how
ever. OF physical struggle.
The launch stopped. Skimp's head and
shoulders appeared upon the surface. His
face was strangely distorted. He gasped
and gurgled.
Hes drowning! OH help him. somebody"
cried The Girl,
But Slmp wasn't drowning; he was
laughing uproHriously, Outrageously. In a
few powerful strokes he reached the wharf,
crawlad up on il and rolled on the planks,
conylllsed with ungovernable mrth. The
crowd regarded him with chagrin.
whats the matter with the idiot?-
prowled PEBBLES
The launch pur in. PEBBLES disembarked,
and then came the climax TO the asonish-
inu performance, While Skimp was still
rolling with glec. PEBBLES gave n roar Of
rage, rushed upolvhim and kicked at him.
II was oil over in minute Skimp
came TO his feet like lightning. There
was sudden furry. PEBBLES shot through
the air, cleared the wharf md hit the water
with loud flop. The Girl crowed with
satisfaction, while Skimp dissolved In
laughter again.
"WhGt's he matter with you, you hvs-
tericsl IDIOT" demanded some one.
"Oh Lord!" gasped S!limp "Don't Won
see? II was his clothes had on! Peebles's
flannels NV clothes were soaked. I
changed into HIS When he pulled The boa /
out from under me he was cumming his
own game, Oh, Lord, amt ii lovely!"
PEBBLES swan ashore, went TO his room
and sulkrd, refusing to come out for the
party. He had no dry clothes that were
fl and he was hnicky