Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-07-09

The joy OF battle is grcates,
When the adversaries arc Strength
and Skill.
For there's difference between a
"bragger"
Ana a youth who says IT will"
When the spectators gather
around the beach TO witness the
grea; event OF the year-thc canoe
race-they were hardly prepared for
the thrilling ending which they wiz
messed
There were ten members Of the
team. but Joe Carson and Ned Nor
gan were the rival champions. Joe
was strong and athletic but inclined
TO bully boys younger than he, and
his rival. though thin and not very
strong Con account OF recent i'll
ness). was skilfu!l and took up for
younger boys.
Joe was the well-known champion
ot the team. Nearly all of the bets
we're made for him. So cure was he
Of his rivals defeat that he told all
oi the boys To be sure and bet for
nim' because skinny" Morgan hadn't
any chance 70 win a ALL"
'"o--lhrce-So. The great
canoe race had started. and ten lit
tic boys cut through the water
swiftly.
Joe, as always. was in the lead
and behind him, padding SLOWLY
but surely. was Ned
Get move on YOU. Skinny Slow
bones" Joe's comrades yelled de-
risively. but Joe turned n deaf ear
TO their mocking cries. Hay, you're
So!n' little too fast: cut the rate OF
speed or you'll beat" Hurry, Joe
Skinny's about mile behind:
know you're scared he'll beat. Amt
you?'
Finally their show of exertion cx
hausted. the eight other boys dropped
steadily behind till Ned and Joe
we're good fifty yards ahead.
From the first Joe had cut his
paddle through the water, nearly
bending il back double. such force
he put in his strokes; while Ned, on
the other hand. took hia time. but
cutting through the water at a mod
crate rate of speed, leaving re-
serve of strength in his arm But
Joe was good few yards ahead. and
the spectators gaZcd In awe at the
healthy young boy. Every few min
utcs he would cast a look behind a,
his rival and then glance toward
his chums with an expression which
seemed to say. II told YOU So"
But Joe. though he was an expert
rover, was quickly becoming ex-
Eausted, and as the goal came into
view and he saw his rival a good
distance behind lie padded slower
ana slower, till he was hardly going
This was Neds chance He mace
the water fly in all directions in cn
endearor to get ahead without feel
ing in the least exhausted. swiftly
he passed Joe. and that individual
was very much surprised. indeed
Ilc put all his strength into last
effort to reach the goal, but all in
vain. He saw his rival slipping
farther and farther away. and then.
before his as;onished eyes Ned
landed on the other aide-the winner
Ned. proud winner. stepped for
ward To accept the congratula tons
OF the crowd who had witnessed the
| remarkable feat. while loo shame
facedly got up and faced his chums
with defeat written ali over his face
But New came forward and graspcd
his defeated rivals hand. saying:
The battle has been fought and
won, Carson. want TO put i'm n
word for your good rowing. But now
can't you he convinced that when
| Skill and Strength battle it depends
not on the strength, but its skill to
face tho lnttle?'
With this he turned and walked
toward a group Of judges who were
standing in TOW, and Joe turned
and walked home amid the j.ers of
his angry comrades. defeated boy
but with a great lesson learned.
How bitter is defeat:
How sweet Is Nictorys camci
The latter steps proudly forward
Defeat bows her head In shame.
(Original.)
o., pIsApr ~ ,,,,,.e