Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-11-27

ward again. but another pair OF legs
went by. and another and another.
They were tearing or their coats:
they were stripping or their shirts
He felt at his collar. wrenched II OF
and flung II away, 10 have both hands
free for his coat and shirt. They were
almost at the bank now. He could see
Micky Days white skin dazzle in>the
sun as he took splendid dive ahead
OF the rest. His own feet were grow
ing heavy. and there was a mist be
fore his eyes. The knot IN his shoe
lacing would not come united. A saw
age rage filled him. n he could have
cut OF his foot TO rid himself OF the
hampering shoe. he would scarcely
have hesitated. You were ruled out n
you went into the water with anything
left on. AS he struggled and per-
spired and agonized the two or three
whom he had distanced leaped past
him. and as he shook the shoe of at
hast and made a dive he heard the
air ringing with "Lubber last! Lub-
Der last" aud slowly realized that Il
was meant for him.
He tried manfully two or three other
days. but II was always the same way
His muscles were fabby from the
doOryard discipline. and he could not
pick up in n few weeks what the 9th
ers had acquired through joyous years
OF summer vagabondage.
He took It quietly aud good natured-
~. but II went deep
His mother found out the custom
shortly and forbade him 10 go near
the water
AS for De Peyster himself. the numb
ness OF despair settled upon him.
Row he could never learn TO redeem
himself. TO have some day perhaps the
ineffable Joy OF being the FIRST in
ahead OF Jimmy Spratt. ahead OF
Micky DAILY. ahead Of everybody. His
career was ended before IL had begun
But / got 10 not let her worry"
was the rueful conclusion he always
reached. And then he breathed hard
and winked fast.
Jimmy was his constant friend and
brought him alleviating messages from
time 10 time, such as that "the other
tellers all say be has lots Of sand and
kin do as well as the next Teller II
he has half a chance"
When even these encouraging re-
marks ceased TO comfort. he gave him
his own horned toad as last desper-
ate resort. The effect was wonderful
ly efficacious. but transitory.
I'D oughter been a girl" said De
Peyster many times To himself. but |
wish she didn't want TO make believe
/ am one when | amt"
This was the nearest TO a reproach
that he allowed his loyal little heart to
entertain. but banied. unchndlIke
look grew In his eyes as he watched
his mates go of without him day after
day.
In July a light epidemic OF scarlet
fever prevailed. The oldest inhabit-
ants called IL walking scarlatina," the
illness was so slight.
Mrs. Van WORT kept De Peyster in
the house.
One day De Peyster caught it.
He regarded 1t rather In the nature
OF a festal occurrence than otherwise,
for all the boys who had had il came
mp to see him. and, although they
were not allowed 10 stand long. IL
cheered him amazingly to hear what
they were doing. for he had constantly
the hope that these new delights they
told of one after another would not be
on the forbidden list when he was out
again.
But after awhile he did not seem to
care whether they came or not and
one day when told that Micky Daily
waited below said languidly: II guess
l don't care about seeing him just
now. I'm sorter tired. but tell him it'll
be bully 10 have him come tomorrow"
But when tomorrow came no one
was admitted. for he was tossing about
In a weakening struggle with some
thing he did not understand that those
who watched by him realized only too
well.
He heard a voice as IL from very far
away.
You'd better tell him. Doctor" 1t
said. Il can't stand Il to see him
fight for his life like a little Trojan