Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1910-02-10

did not keep neck and neck with 1.-THE
other fellows in every prank they
played.
There was a long and weary period
of dooryard discipline after this cpl
sode. There were a good many times
when De Peyster had to clinch his
fists as tight as he could and remem-
Der his father very hard.
By and by June came. quivering
with gold green sunlight, perfumed
with a universal poisoning and pun
gent with the joy of living. At this
time every true JOY thrills with the
half realized rapture of it all and finds
the fullest expression of his ecstasy
in going swimming.
Every bright morning in some part
Of the town there was sure to be a
group of boys toeing a line. their necks
bObbing eagerly forward and their
bodies giving a~nticipatory jerks and
twitches as they waited for the word.
When the leader said Go" they dart
ed forth, and there vas a KALEIDOSCOPE
ic and dissolving view of legs racing
madly down u side street that led to
the river. Then collars came off, coats
followed, as they ran with undimin-
ished speed. the fellow who was far
thest ahead sometimes slowing up
with magnificent daring to get off his
shoes and stockings while the others
were still hampered by shirts and
trousers. and by the time they tumbled
in headlong competition owe the bank
the nimblest carried their entire ward
robe on their arms and flashed white
ly into the water while the laggerS
fumbled at their shoe lacings. The
unfortunate who popped into the river.
flushed and painting. after all the rest
were in was greeted with haunting
cries Of: "Lubber last! Lubber last"
De Peyster had never been told not
to go in swimming. 1t had not oc-
Cured to his mother as among the
list of his possible perils, as she was
in blissful ignorance Of the fact that
'the other fellows" did it.
So it was with the thrilling exult-
ance of the Greek runner that be set
his toe on the line with the rest and
hurled himself forward, head up and
elbows in.
The first few rods it felt like flying.
His feet scarcely seemed to touch the
ground. Then a pair of legs flashed
by him. and another and another. He
gathered his strength and shot for
ward again. but another pair Of legs
went by, and another and another.
They were tearing off their coats;
they were stripping off their shirts.
He felt at his collar, wrenched it off
and flung it away, to have both hands
free for his coat and shirt. They were
almost at the bank now. He could see
sun as he took a 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. If he could have
cut off his foot to rid himself Of the
hampering shoe. he would scarcely
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 rs be shook the shoe off at
last and made a dive he heard the
air ringing with "Lubber last! Lub-
Der last" and slowly realized that it
was meant for him.
He tried manfully two or three other
days, but it was always the same way.
His muscles were fabby from the
dooryard discipline, and he could not
pick up in a few weeks what the 9th
ers had acquired through joyous years
Of summer vagabondage.
He took it quietly and good natured-
ly. but it went deep.
His mother found out the custom
shortly and forbade him to go near
the water.
AS for De Peyster himself, the numb
ness of despair settled upon him.
Now 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 it had begun.
"But I got to not let her worry"
was the ruefu conclusion he always:
reached. And then he breathed hard
and winked fast.
Jimmy was his constant friend and
brought him %alleviating messages from
time to time, such as that 1.-The other
fellers all say he has lots of sand and
kin do as we'll as the next Teller if
he has half a chance"
When even these encouraging re-
marks ceased to comfort, he gave him
his WI horned toad as a last desper-
ate resort. The effect was wonderful
iy ~eficacious, but transitory.
"Pd oughter been a GIRL" said De
Peyster many times to himself, but l
wish she didn't want to make believe
I am one when l amt"
This was the nearest to a reproach
that he allowed his loyal little heart to
entertain. but a bafled. unchildlike
look grew in his eyes as he watched
his mates go off without him day after
day.
In July a light epidemic Of scarlet