The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1910-01-20

Just their respective stand
points to mutual harmony.
To begin with, 1t was spring. With
the delicious odor of resinous smoke |
from the boughs that had banked the
house assailing ones nostrils. who
could resist joining the dancing sill
houettes that circled the bonfire and
daring cne's fate by ieaping across It
in staggering competition as the
flames died down?
But she drew lurid pictures Of his
certain fate If he should repeat the
offense. Blind defiance rose insurgent
within him. He would go. And then
all OF a sudden he remembered what
his father said and hung bis head to
think how those grave, kind eyes OF
his would look at him now.
Take good care of mamma" he had
said at the last. You must be her big
brother and never let her worry about
you. she's SO little and delicate" And
then he had whispered over two or
three times. MY pretty little wife. my
dear little girir'
And De Peyster had tried with all
his might TO remember. But often II
did seem as IL 1t would have been a
little easier II she could have under
stood that one was disgraced II one
did not keep neck and neck with 'the
other fellows" in every prank they
played.
There was a long and weary period
Of dooryard discipline after this cpl
sode. There were good many times
when De Peyster had to clinch his
fists as tight as be could and remem-
Der his father very hard.
By and by June came. quivering
with gold green sunlight perfumed
with a universal blossoming and pun
gent with the joy Of living. At this
time every true JOY thrills with the
half realized rapture Of II 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
group Of boys toeing a line. their necks
bobblng eagerly forward and their
bodies giving anticipatory jerks and
WITCHES as they waited for the word.
When the leader said Cor they dart
ed forth. and there was KALEIDOSCOPE
ic and dissolving view Of legs racing
....1fS. .f~~-x. n ef.1a cfraaf that lQd fo
the river. Then collars came OF. coats
followed. as they ran with undimin
ishei speed. the fellow who was far
thest ahead sometimes slowing up
with magnificent daring to get of bis
shoes and stockings while the others
were still hampered by shirts and
trousers. and by the time they tumbled
In headlong competition over the bank
the nimblest carried their entire ward
robe on their arms and flashed white
~ 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 20 in swimming. II bad not o.
CURED 10 bis mother as among the
list Of his possible perils. as she was
10 blissful ignorance Of the fact that
..the other fellows did II.
so II was with the thrilling exult.
ance Of the Greek runner that he SET
his toe on the line with the rest and
hurried himself forward. head MP and
elbows In
The first few rods II felt Ike flying
His feet scarcely seemed TO touch th'
ground. Then q pair Of legs hashet
By him. and another and another. III
gathered bis strength and shot for
ward again. but another pair OF leg
went By. and another and another.
They were tearing OF their coats
they were stripping OF their shirts
He felt at bis collar. wrencbed II Of
and flung Il away. 10 have both hand
free for bis coat and shirt They wer'
almost at the bank now. He could SCI
Micky Days white skin dazzle insth
sun as he took a splendid dive ahea'
Of the rest. His own feet were grow
ing heavy, and there was a mist be
fore bis eyes The knot In his sho
lacIng would not come united. A saw
age rage flied him. II be could hav
cut on bis foot TO rid himself OF th
hampering shoe. he would scarcel
have hesitafed. You were ruled out !
you went into the water with anythinl
left on. Az be struggled and per
splred and agonized the two or tire
whom be had distanced leaped pas
him, and rs he shook the shoe OF .
last and made a dive he heard n
air ringing with "Lubber last! Lut
Der lastw and slowly realized that
was meant for him.
lie triea manfuIly two or three othe
days. but 10 was always the same wal
His muscles were fabby from th
dooryard discipline. and be could no
pick up 10 q few weeks what the 9th
ers had acquired through joyous year
Of summer vagabondage.
lie took it quietly and good naturet
~. but IL went deep.
His mother found out the custoi
shortly and forbade him 20 go nea
the water.
As for De peyster himself, the numl
ness Of despair settled upon bin
Now be could never learn 20 redeei
himself. 20 have some day perhaps "a
s..aaf.f. a.. - f.fan 81 Gs~s q,