The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-03-09
FLOUNDERING
BY r. LANCASTER.
Copyright. 1913. Western Newspaper UnioI

| SAONps AhC 1ASCScuuL LulhCI
was furtively watching Miss Lou out
or the corner of his eye. He fancied
that in repose her face was beginning
to have a wistful look and the fancy
pleased him. But in an instant that
subtle something which rings through
our inmost life had flung out it's danger
signals. Miss Lou started into con-
Sciousness.
i understand that the mullet were
SO thick last night it 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 veranda
and facing Miss Lou with a surprised
expression.
why anyone who wishes to go
1oundering," replied Miss Lou, politely.
$50, should have imagined" he re-
sponded dryly. ''They could not find
much better place to founder in I'M
less it was a Slough of Despond.' Do
many indulge?"
"Oh, lot of people,"
"What for?" r @'-..'..
"For pleasure or profit; sometimes
both"
"Oh, you mean bathing!"
Il suppose a good deal of bathing is
done-incidentally."
incidentally"
"Why, yes. You are obliged to get
more or less wet If you go laundering
in the gulf"
THAT appears probable, especially
If 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 quie-
tude at the perplexed individual who
had been asking questions.
"Dont you know what founder
is?" 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, fiat
ilsh that sWims broadsides through the
water and has both of it's eyes on the
same side. The method of capturing
1T by means of a spear is called 'foun.
dering.'"
"Oh! And is it good sport?"
1T Is about as hard work as dancing
and as big bore as a theater."
IF it is no worse than that I should
like to try it. How is it done?"
"You dress yourself in clothes that
you expect never to use again, take a
! SReRIs Sand basket, wade In with the
crowd and follow the torch bearer.
Whenever you see a founders bed
stick your spear into it. You will gen.
orally find that the founder is not
there when your spear is, but that
doesn't matter. If you do not slip up
and strangle yourself with salt water
or get stung by stingaree you may
declare that you have had perfectly
lovely time Sometimes within the
next two weeks you will begin to get
over it,"
Rather more graphic than encour-
aging. should like to try it."
At this there was a hearty chorus:
"Let's have laundering party to-
night!'
Miss Lou looked aghast. "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.
Some in-gla1 to see you"
'You should be. I'm a bearer of
good tidings."
"Ah?"
Invitation to fioundering party"
my dear boy, never"
mo, of course not. But you are
going this time, and so is Miss Lou"
Miss Lou p
"Yes. It's chance in ten thousand.
Don't neglect it."
The floundering party was in full
swing. The iron baskets filled 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 founderers, the holder spir-
Its thigh-deep in water, the timid 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 merriment. Well in the rear came
Miss Lou-using her spear as 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 6oun- |