The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1912-08-02


on South Mulberry street. In the pro.
cess of manufacturing gas, tar was dis
charged into the river and this noated
down with the current for long dis
tances. As consequence one might
dive only to rise with his hands and
face covered with the sticky stun
while letting down was indeed q
risky operation.
With the Introduction of the sewer
age system, 1t was only natural for the
boys to 90 swimming above the B. and
o. bridge. Ten years ago, the most
popular swimming hole" was known
as the mine Spiles" and was located
where the present foot-bridge crosses
the creek in the west end. This latter
construction destroyed It's popularity
although feeble attempts were made
for some time to revive It's use by
youths garbed in bathing suits. But
boys natural instinct Is to wear
nothing when "swimmin' and the
mine Spiles" is now q thing Of the
past. Farther down the river, howev-
er, the "36 Spiles" still hourishes and
the delights Of its excellent diving
places are experienced daily by the
bunch" Then there was the Swift
Rifles" no longer recognizable be-
cause OF the complete change Of course
of the stream. This place was a sort
of beginners hole" the water being
shallow and the bed not treacherous.
When the first principles Of the art"
had been mastered, the lad could turn
to turn to future worlds to conquer In
the shape of the Burlington" named
after its founder who no longer lives
in Mt. Vernon. Here is where the
big boys" disported themselves and
the test of ability was to swim over
to a fallen tree on the other side of
the river through a very swift current.
Other famous "holes" of this period
were the Sycamore" and the Spill
ing" near Riverside park.
In meditating over all these boyhood
spots, one is prone to recall those lines
of James Whitcomb Riley which run
in this fashion:
But the merry days of youth is be-
yond controle,
And it's hard to part forever with the
old swimmin' hole"
What truth exists In these delight
full lines Of that master-poet! What
tender feelings they call up even in
the most aged of breasts! What dis
tinct visualization Of times that are NO
more their all-powerful impressive
ness summons up from the distant
haze of the past!
Sheer enjoyment, unmitigated by
single care or toll. il the cause OF
the pleasant recollection Of that boy.
hood talisman, the old swimming hole.
The sunny days and the rainy ones, as
we'll, spent digging ones toes into the
sand at the side Of the creek become
sort of sacred thing and the hole" It.
self is indeed an hallowed spot.
The tantalizing GOODNESS Of the ev.
er-rippling stream challenges one to
be first in" and this honor Is subor.
dinate only to the one gained by the
little silver" who can first clap his
ragged cap on his woolly head and
shout in exultant and victorious tones
"ace." What cry Of derision greets
the lad who can utter nothing better
than Jack" The shame spreads all
over his face which soon assumes hard
lines in the resolve that he Will be
the first dressed on the morrow.
The "ducking," muddy" pound.
ing stones" etc., occupy their fond
little spots in our recollections. And
when big boy" visited the "hole"
who could actually swim "overhanded"
and dive. My! what reverence and re-
spect was displayed-to him. He was
a king in his own sphere. It was usu-
ally he. however, who was a. leader IN
the "muddying" and in that heart
breaking act which causes one to
"chaw wood" only to discover that the
wood could not be "chawed." Then q
tear welled up In misty eye, chub-
by fist made q manful dig at 1t, but
grief gave way, when the thought came
that father would never allow the ty-
ing II he were there. and the no long.
er restrained tears flowed In abund-
ance checked only when kind-heart'
ed companion volunteered his aid In
unloosing the knots and promised
treat" in the shape Of q soggy and
over-ripe apple.
A more mature reflection on these
departed days only intensifies the feel
Ing that "one touch Of nature makes
the whole world kim" The democrat
king influence Of the swimming-hole
where boys of all natures and DISPOSE
tion mingle and, in their childish In
nocnece, exchange views and bits OF
III H.