Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1860-07-04
& Guon gtury.
From Sharpcs' Magazine.
A LEAF FOR LITTLE LADIES,
SPRINGTIDE,

SPRINGTIDE.
1t was lovely September afternoon the
soft breeze scarce rutfled the sails of the
stately ships that foated on the calm sea-
All was still, save when an occasional shout
broke from merry group of children en-
gagged in building mimic towns upon the
sands. After time, two Of the little COM
pany stole away from the scene of their la
bors, and were soon hid from the others by
the rugged rocks with which the Jersey
coast was stewn for miles around
The name of the little girl was Ellie
Grierson-a bright-eyed, active chill of
twelve. Her companion, Arthur Seyton.
was a tall, slight boy, two or three years
older than herself.
The shadows heightened, as hour after
hour of the bright afternoon flew by, and
still the two scrambled on unweariedly over
stones and sea-weel. They had discovered
a very curious rock, which was worn by the
destructive force of the tide into all manner
of odd shapes.
Here is a perfectly shaped armchair,
Arthur; can seat myself in it so comforta-
bly,! Is it not very curious %
Very; and here is nearly as good a
sofa.''
'sNo.. said Ellie, shaking her head, strny
chair is the best"
There are many queer rocks here
.abouts, said Arthur;; ..how easily one
Sourd insus kzsiaayard down yonder
those stones are the very shape Of tomb
stones p
Il don't see the resemblance" returned
Ellie. ''Icould fancy, instead, a number of
people bending down to dig up sand-eels"
Shut in as they were among the rocks,
the children little imagined the rapid pro-
gress the tide was making, so gently and
noiselessly did the little waves wander in
among the stones.
Arthur! Arthur shouted Ellie, clap
ping hands, ''coule here quickly: [ have
found cave in the rock p
Arthur stood by her side in moment
$50 you have! [ did not know there
was cave here but other people did, how
ever, for here are rude sort of steps cut out
in the stone up to the entrance"
''Come and let us investigate it, Arthur
never have been in cave before"
Certainly; only take care you do not fall
on the slippery steps"
Ellie uttered an exclamation of delight,
as, after passing through long, narrow
passage, they entered large cavern. At
first she could see nothing but her eyes
soon grew accustomed to the dim light, and
she looked round in astonishment at the
vaulted room in which she found herself
30 Arthur! have you ever seen such
curious place %
ooh! yes; the caves at Plemont arc much
! larger Butyou speak in low voice, Ellie,
as if you were afraid of being overheard by
the fairies with which tradition peoples the
caves
rs there any story about this one %
Every likely there is; but | don't hap
pen to know it. [ don't believe there is a
cave that has not Some legend belonging to
it. There is one in Guernsey, which is
said to have been built in the night by a
band of fairies''
Il am sure the fairies would. have the
good taste to prefer grassy mounds and
fowery meadows to gloomy cave like this ~
Il quite agree with you, Elicit would
be much filter place Of abode for the black
dwarfs and trolls"
Ellie examined the cavern attentively for
long time, while Arthur told her all the
anecdotes he remembered relating to caves.
At last she said ''But, Arthur, look there
is another opening; perhaps we may find
another ROOM
''You had better take care, Ellie. It is
said of cave in the Western Islands that,
whoever penetrates to the end returns with
out his skin p
Ellie laughed. cit would be better to
come back wanting ones skin than not to
come back at all. But, Arthur" she con-
tinued, ''look how the walls glitter! Do
knock me off piece of then!"
Certainly, if had a stone to do it with;
but it is so dark here. Oh ! here is one
that will do. Now, Ellie, we must hurry
back -
'.Oh wait; here is such pretty bit: do
give it me %
True is the saying, Most haste worst
speed" Arthurs efforts to be speedy only
made him longer
What is the matter, Arthur? Why
have you taken such sudden restless fit %
said Ellie, looking at him with surprise
"We have been away very long time,