South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-13

any boy you choose and still you
viii find that Of all the ideas that
originate IN his head there are at
least two in the way OF desires or
lOngings. that are always sure 20
tug at the lads heartstrings some
day. They are as surely a part OF
boyhood. real. red -blooded boyhood.
as the scratch Is a quality Of wooden
underwear; as inevitable as the
asafetida bag during an epidemic
of diphtheria.
These two desires are. in a way.
heritages OF boyhood, and they had
10 be satisfied somewhere between
the period when a lad dons his first
pair OF rompers and the time when
he reaches that mature age which
entities him to long pants and the
privilege OF stroking the down on
his chin with an old razor, which
father had long before bequeathed
10 the women folks for chirOpodic
purposes.
The one consists OF an obsesslon
which grips a boys heart and mind
when good old spring time gets a
half-Nelson on the lad and forces
him 10 shake Of the Stacking shoes
and stockings in order TO go bare
foot To a boy, barefoot means
freadom-freedom raised TO the nth
power II means Joy. ecstasy and
delight. even with the stone-bruises.
the cuts and blisters; for what did
well-blackened toe-nail, a heel
swollen and sore from an encounter
with rusty nail, or toe tied with
a creased yarn, amount to anyway
Were not these things marks Of
energy. and boyhoods genuine dis
regsrd for conventionalities
The Coin Fishing Idea.
The other desire expressed itself
i'm a response 70 that irresistible call
TO nature-the goin' fishin idea.
And just as freedom for the bonds
man was quickly followed by the
ballot. so was the unlimbering Of
the cramped toes quickly followed
by display OF power. power 70 do
battle with something which lived
and would fight back. SO, we all
came by II honestIy-came by our
fishing instinct legitimately enough.
Nowadays. to many e US. going
fishing means a red letter day on
the calendar-a time when we brave
possess ourselves OF a ticket the
length OF which is inversely pro-
portionate to the length OF our jour
me-. and cheerfully put up with the
multitude Of inconvenience that arc
always provided for excursionists.
But. to the barefoot boy. going
fishing meant but little in the way Of
preparation. He merely searched
his mothers kitchen for a piece OF
string and his fathOmIess pockets
for a hook or a pin; then, with a
few angle worms. his equipment was
complete He battered down the
dusty road. the fine silk-liRe dust
soothingly sitting between his toes
at every step. Around the turn OF
the road the lake came into view;
he battered on and thus the fortU-
nate lad disappeared and left the
world 10 its own tedious humdrum.
Who is Il who can't remember his
first fishing experimentation the
only preparation was that described
above? Only preparation Well. Of
course. IL did take a little time TO
get ones courage screwed up TO the
point OF venturing near the lake con-
trarv 10 all rules that had been so
kindly laid down regarding a lad
privileges Why a small lad was
always forbidden to play near the
lake. of course. never could be un-
derstood: so finally the day came
when denial could be broOked no
longer-then you went. didn't you?
Fishin' From the Pier.
II is a fairly safe bet that you
stomach. sleeves rolled up TO the
shoulders: thus you could watch the
little fish nibble and give your line
vicious Jerks at the most opportune
time You will remember this be
cause. with your sleeves rolled up,
YOU made il easy for old Sol TO burn
YOUR .arms-he burned them so Sc
vereIy that even the sweet cream
which mother applied would not
ease the pain.
But IT, perchance. you could have
forgotten your burned arms. 1t Is
pretty certain that the consultation
held with dad when he learned thar
YOU had gone fishing was such that
YES. the woodshed was big, and IL
gave dad plenty OF elbow room-it
would be at least Impractical for
YOU 10 forget your first fishing trip.
Surely YOU did not forget Il; bur
IL wasn't long before YOU were
drawer. your arms tougher. yes.
Your whole hide more vigorous.
Anyway. the fact remains. going
fishing became a regular PROPOSE
ton. Finer and finer were the
prizes which you, with an arrogance
akin TO conquering hero. brought
home-ouly 20 learn that mother
had already planned for the meat
supply that day.
Every dog has his day-boys are
not excluded. The time came. at
last. when the little fisherman was
repaid in full. and with interest,
yNLE\>