Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1918-05-23
FLOUNDERING
BY r. LANCASTER.
opyrlght. la1s. western Newspaper Union. }

10 have q wiStful look and the fancy
pleased him. But in an instant that
subtle something which rings through
our inmost life had flung out its danger
signals. Miss Lou started into con-
seriousness.
Il understand that the mullet were
so thick last night 1t was impossible to
founder in the gulf" she said, catch
ing mental outposts.
WHO wants to founder In that
gulf?'' said the man from up the coun-
try, springing to seat on the yeranda
and facing Miss Lou with d surprised
expression.
"Why anyone who wishes to go
fioundering," replied Miss Lou. politely.
80, should have imagined" he re-
sponded dryly. "They could not find a
much better place to founder in I'M
less it was Slough of Despond.' Do
many indulge?"
"Oh, lot of people"
"What for?"
For pleasure or profit; sometimes
both"
"Oh, you mean bathing p
81 suppose a good deal OF bathing Is
done-incldentally."
'IncidentallyW
"Why, yes. You are obliged to get
more or less wet If you go floundering
in the gulf"
'That appears probable, especially
II the gulf happened to have water in
It."
A surge of suppressed merriment
swept over the group upon the gallery.
Miss Lou adjusted her gOld-rimmed
glasses and looked with ominous qule-
tude at the perplexed individual who
had been asking questions.
Don't you know what founder
ls?' she asked severely.
Certainly. It's an awkward effort
made to escape from an uncomfortable
situation"
THAT may be true of the interior.
On the coast, founder is a thin. flat
fish that swims broadsides through the
water and has both of its eyes on the
same side. The method of capturing
ii by means of a spear is called 'floun-
dering'"
"Oh And Is 1t good sport?
1T is about as hard work as dancing
and as big a bore as a theater."
IF it is no worse than that l should
like to try it. How is 1t done?'
You dress yourself in clothes that
you expect never to use again, take a
spear and basket, wade in with the
crowd and follow the torch bearer.
whenever you see founders bed
stick your spear into it. You win gem
orally find that the founder is not
there when your spear Is, but that
doesn't matter. If you do not slip up
and strange yourself with salt water
or get stung by a stlngaree you may
declare that you have had a perfectly
lovely time Sometimes within the
next two weeks you will begin to get
over it."
Rather more graphic than encour-
aging, l should like to try it."
AT this there was a hearty chorus
Lets have a foundering party to-
nightr
Miss Lou looked aghast. 1.-THE idea"
she calculated.
"Oh, yes; just this once, Miss Lou !"
BY the time the details were decided
the incessant talker had dropped Off
the gallery and disappeared.
Hello, Hall !" cried the tall clergy
man, looking up from his writing.
Come in-glad to see you"
You should be. I'm a bearer of
good tldings.'
"Ah?"
Invitation TO floundering party"
MY dear boy never"
mo, of course not. But you are
going this time, and so is Miss Lou"
Miss Lou!"
"Yes. It's chance In ten thousand.
Don't neglect it,"
The floundering party was in full
swing. The iron baskets filed with
heaps of burning pine swayed on the
ends of their long poles and threw fan
tastic effects over the drowsy waters.
Behind the line OF lights came the
crescent of flounderers, the holder splr-
Its thigh-deep in water, the timld ones
hugging the shore. Laughter, repair
tee and song made the night gay In
deed. An occasional shrill scream or
heavy splash only tended to heighten
the merrlment. Wen in the rear came
Miss Lou-using her spear as Il staff
and her basket as ballast. She paused
frequently TO adjust her glasses. The
whole situation was distinctly dis
tasteful to her.
IF ever | get" frightened floun-
der shot from beneath Miss Lou's san
daled feet, her spear flew out her bas-
ket flew up, and the glasses, ieaping
from her nose. swung widely at the
end of their chain. Miss Lou set her
teeth hard on a scream and floundered
yaliantly, and her downfall would have
been inevitable had not a strong arm
caught and steadied her.
leu miles away the red-eyed light
house on Cat island winked lazily at
his brother in Snip Island harhor. The
strong arm was Still about her shout
aers and somewhere in the night above
her she could feel pair Of gray eyes
uDOp bar