Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-08-24
A CHILD'S FAITH.

All was still, save when an occasional
shout broke from merry group of child
ren engaged in building mimic towns
upon the sands. After time, two of the
little company stole away from the scene
OF their labors, and were soon hid from
the others by the rugged rocks with which
the Jersey coast was strewn fer miles
around.
The name Of the little girl was Ellie
Grierson-a bright-eyed, active child Of
twelve. Her companion, Arthur Seyton,
was tell, slight 10y, two or three years
older than herself.
The shadows heightened, as hour after
hour of the bright afternoon few by, and
sill the two scrambled on unweariedly
over stones and sea-weed. They had
discovered ahvery curious rock, which
was worn by the destructive force of the
tide into all manner of odd shapes.
Here is perfectly shaped armchair,
Arthur; / can seat myself in it SO COM
fortablyi Is it not very curious?'
Very; and hereis one nearly as good
as sofa
No said Ellie, shaking her head, my
chair is the best!'
There are many queer rocks here
abouts,' said Arthur: how easily one
could imagine church-yard down yon-
der: those stones are the very shape of
tomb-stones 7
l don't see the resemblance, returned
Ellie. 1 could fancy, instead, number
of people bending down to dig up sand
eels.'
Shut IN as they were among the rocks,
the children little imagined the rapid
progress the tide was making, so gently
and noiselessly did the little waves wander
in among the stones.
Arthur Arthur ? shouted Ellie,
elapping her hands, come here quickly!
/ have found a cave in the rock p
Arthur stood by her side in moment.
So you have! did not know there
was cave here! but other people did,
however, for here are rude sort of steps
cut out in the stone up TO the entrance
Come and let US investigate it, Ar
thur. never have seen a 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 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 her
self.
80 Arthur have you ever seen such
curious place. ?
'Ohl yes; the caves at Plemont are
much larger. But you speak in low
voice, Ellie, as if you were afraid of
being overheard by the fairies with which
tradition peoples the caves
Is there any story about this one!'
Very likely there is; but / don't
happen to know it. don't believe there
is cave that has not some legend be-
longing to it. There is one in Guernsey
which is said to have been built in night
by band Of fairies.
1 am sure the fairies would have the
good taste to perfer grassy mounds and
howery meadows to gloomy cave ike
this
Il quite agree with you, Elicit
would be "a much filter abode for the black
dwarfs and trolls
Ellie examined the cavern attentiyely
for long time, while Arthur told her all
the anecdotes he remembered relating
to caves. At last she said But, Ar
thur look there is another opening per-
haps we may find another ROOM
You had better take care, Ellie. 1t
is said Of cave in the Western Islands
that, whoever penetrates to the end re-
turns without his skin
Ellie laughed. 1T would be better to
come back wanting ones skin, than not
to come back at all. But, Arthur she
continued, look how the walls glitter
Do knock me off piece of themp
Certainly, if / had stone to do it
with but it is so dark here. Oh here
is one that viii do. Now, Ellie, we must
hurry back
oh wait: here is sucI pretty bit:
do give it to me
True is the saying, Most haste worst
speed Arthur's efforts to be speedy on
ly made him longer.
What is the matter, Arthur? Why
have you taken such q restless fit = said
Ellie, looking at him with surprise.
we have been away a Iono time and