THE BOYS' CORNER. "YOU'RE AFRAID."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20366, 21 September 1929, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE BOYS' CORNER.

"YOU'RE AFRAID."

By ELLERSLEY . HALL

Jack Desmond wasn't very popular at echool. He seldom joined his classmates at footer or cricket, and appeared to take Tery little interest in games or pastimes. Most of tho boys considered him a weakling, a boy to be looked down on, for he was rather frail looking, and whenever his classmates asked him why he didn't go in for games or swimming his answer was always tho same. " Oh, I don't know." After a lot of persuading, Bob Wilson and Tom Howard succeeded in getting him to accompany them to the swjmming baths. They taid that they would teach him to swim, but what thev reallv intended doing was to "duck" him when they got him in tho water. Thev half expected that ho wouldn't turn up at tho baths at the appointed time, but ho was there first, and was waiting on the entrance steps when they arrived. They hurried into their costume. 1 ?, for tho day was very warm. " We'll have somo fun witb him before we leave," said Bob.

" You bet," replied Tom. "Ho won't know whether he's on his head or his heels when we've finished with him." With a laugh they dived in and swam to tho other end of tho bath. When they came to tho shallow end, Desmond was Standing in about three feet of water They took him in hand, and, although they could sec that he didn't like the water, he tried so hard end so earnestly to master the breast that all thoughts c/ "ducking" hirn left, ihem' and instead, they felt rather sorrv for him. v a

When they left him that afternoon, be promisea to go with them even/ week untjl he could learn to swim, and he kept his promise. v Two months later, the three boys were enjoyuig themselves in tho coof waters of ihe bath'. Desmond could swim fairiv we 1, but besides keeping to the shallows' rr VOU i nover ,P !un P° in from tho iv ahvn - TS wa,lced down steps into the water. This aroused his corn! rztsr '■ we '" Tra. WW' v a game l of 'follow tho eaaor. \Vc wiIJ got him to planire in as part of the-game." S But Jack refused to join in tho game «fc *3 87Ss'JSS^ Bob"wssS;ir.f ™ IW C!M|; -ok- ' .. " t O" U." urged Bob. •' Go on r-t the chaps jee you're not afraid IfSL* »- * &*>>■« « v , a haby," he said scornfully \oure afraid; That's why you wotft tt an y ,n £*' You're afraid " inj .rttotS' J » k «ffl look-

if intlteS l afer Bol> standing at the shallow end of the bath when he J»P(Jned* jock up at the cmite. Jo his surprise, he saw Jack estnond in the act of 'lying upon Us S].ppery, wet surface. He felt eorrr then that he had spoken as he had done, but the feeling 01 sorrow quickly changed, for, just as Desmond began to 'slide. Bob saw tnat someone was swim mine forward directly under the chute. It was Tom Howard. It was impossible to avert the accicianf. It nil happened so quickly. There was a cry Then a splash. Bob raced aions the side .'.nti dived in. He seized Desmo,id, and struggled to the edge with Imp. Willing hands lifted the unccn. scions lad from the water, The eurolaker arrived with blankets and restoratives, and Jack was speedilv wrapped up and someono phoned for a doctor. Though not-unconscious, Tom Howard was badly bruised, and had to be assisted from the water. Ho Scarcely realised what had happened. • Just before tho doctor arrived, Desmond opened his eyes. He looked at Bob Wilson, and, in c> weak voice, said: "I did it, Bob. Didn't I;" 7iirn his eyes closed again, Bob's feelings can we!' be imagined. He realised that the accident might easily have ended fatally. A lump rosy in his throat. It was a lesson to him. A lesson which lie never forgot. The doctor arrived nnd examined two lads. Luckily, neither was seriously hurt, co he took tiiem to their hu:ne.i in his car. •

In a little over a week, Jack was back at school again. All the boys considered him a hero. They knew that he had d'Jno a very bravo thing. That ho had Cone what ho was afraid to do, and they knew that it took grit and determination to do that. They spoke much mor» kindly to hiifl, with tho result that ho lost all his aloofness and was socn playing footer with tho rest of them. Bob Wilson expected thai; Jack weald never forgive him, but ho was mistaken. Desmond and lie. became the best chums and remained so for the res* of their schooldays.