Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-09-07
- Pride Before the Fall -

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+ "Oh, nothing" Arthur answered
lightly. only 1 was just wondering
how long it would take you to swim
the ocean and how you'd get some
thing to eat and drink. / guess the
ocean is more than a thousand miles
wide and"
us that so? Is that so!" exclaimed
their tormcntor. well. I wouldn't
mind that. I could swim a hundred
miles in one day--maybe q thousand
IL 1 was In a hurry. But I'd take it
easy and-and--I'd carry some sand
wiches on my back and when / got
thirsty I'd Just drink right out of the
ocean all I wanted to-"
ITS salt water!" cried Arthur. You
couldn't drink that"
"Oh yes I could. I like salt water.
I do! In fact l never feel like I've
had n good drink II 1t hasn't got any
salt in it, Say. want TO see me hop all
around those squares? I bet you
can do 1t hundred-no. a million
times! Here goes"
And "Bluster Bobby" started off,
hopping lightly from one square to the
next. look of scorn on his face. He
made the circuit in moment or two
then he started around again-but not
so fast this time. Again he returned
to his starting place and began the
third lap.
But he wasn't hopping in a lively
manner now. Indeed not! He was
painting for breath, his face was
flushed and the foot he'd been holding
off the ground began to feel as though
1t weighed a ton.
Suddenly he stopped, leaned down,
put the foot on the ground and began
to feel with II.
you're touching the ground" cried
Arthur. THAT isn't fair"
"Hunh," gasped the bully, though
he hadn't much breath left with which
10 gasp. Isis that so? Well, I'm
not, Him Just tying my shoe!
Guess I-I-got a right Toto tie my
l. shoe. amt II"
e He Strengthened up-much relieved
d by even this brief rest-and began to
hop again.
,r All OF sudden he uttered a shrill
. cry, and went down in a heap. He
g lay on the ground, squirming and
J. twisting and grabbing at his foot (the
t one he had been hopping on) and
is shrieking in agony.
~ Ellen and Arthur rushed up to him.
lie What is the matter?" they both ex-
at claimed.
II "Oh-oh-sh" yelled the bully q
y, I'm going to die--I'm going to die!
le II broke my foot off. I know broke
ly it off,
Arthur looked down. but the foot
to was still firmly attached to the leg.
NO" he said-and he just couldn't
IN help grinning-"no, 1t is still on.
re guess you must have sprained your
he ankle"
"Oh. ouch! Oh-help, help! Oh my
?" Oh my! Get Doctor" yelled "Blustel
e. Bobby" his buster all gone, his cour-
It. age oozing out at every yell and his
70, whole demeanor that of the coward he
m really was at heart.
ok Just then the children's Mamma
came rushing out to see what wal
wv the matter. And she picked up "Blus-
e. ter Bobby" and carried him into the
house where. 1t was found. he hac
as suffered nothing more than sprainec
Ike ankle-and not badly sprained at that
" Do you remember the old adagt
lily about Pride going before fall? Well
IS! It seems to At in right here don't yot
i'm think! For "Bluster Bobby" certainl!
-er was boastfully proud, wasn't he? AND
sss he surely did fall. both actually ant
so far as his Pride was concerned
MT Somehow, too, it's always that way
Brag about something, and invariably
le- It isn't long before everyone know
that YOU were merely Dragging!