Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-09-18
M I CELL A N Y
A LEAF FOR LITTLE LADIES.
SPRINGTIpE.

sPRINGTIpE.
1t was lovely September afternoon the soft
breeze scarcely rufHed the sails of the stately
ships that foated on the calm sea. All was still,
save when an occasional shout broke from a
merry group of children engaged in building
mimic towns upon the sands. After time, two
of the little company stole away from the scene
of their labours, and were soon hid from the
others by the rugged rocks with which the Jer-
sey coast was strewn for miles around.
The name of the young girl was Ellie Grier-
son-a bright-eyed, active child 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 oyer stones and
sea weeds. They had discovered very curious
rock, which was worn by the destructive force
of the tide into all manner of odd shapes.
''Here is perfectly shaped armchair, Arthur
Il can seat myself in it SO comfortably Is it
not very curious! :"
"Very; and here is nearly as good sofa."
"No,'' said Ellie, shaking her head, "my chair
is the best"
'sThere are many queer rocks hereabouts, !"
said Arthur; show easily one could imagine a
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very shape of tombstones!"
81 don't see the resemblance" returned Ellie
81 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 noisey did the
little waves wander in among the stones.
"Arthur! Arthur!!" shouted Ellie, clapping
her hands, "come here, quickly; have found
cave in the rock"
Arthur stood By her side in a moment.
80 you have did not know there was a
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, Arthur. l
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, af-
ter passing through long, narrow passage, they
entered large cavern. At first she conld see
nothing but her eyes soon grew accustomed to
the dim light, and she looked round in astonish-
ment at the vaulted room in which she found
herself.
20, Arthur have you ever seen such a curl
Gus place?"
''Oh! yes; the caves at Plemont are much
larger. But you speak in a low voice, Ellie, as
if you were afraid of being overheard by the
fairies with which tradition peoples the cave"
SIS there any story about this ones"
''Very likely there is; but don't happen to
know it. l don't believe there is 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 band OF fairies"
II am sure the fairies would have the good
taste to prefer grassy mounds and fowery mead
ows to gloomy cave like this !"
II quite agree with you, Ellie; it would be a
much filter place of abode for the black dwarfs
and TROLLS"
Ellie examined the cavern attentively for a
long time, while Arthur told her all the anec-
dotes 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. 1t is said of
a cave in the Western Islands that, whoever PEN
etrates to the end, returns without his skln!"
Ellie laughed.
sit would be better 10 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 theml'
''Certainly, if had 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 10 mel"
True is the saying, Most haste worst speed.'-
Arthur efforts to be speedy only made him
longer.
"What is the matter, Arthur? Why have
you taken such sudden restless tit9" said Ellie,
looking at him with surprise.
sWe have been away very long time, and
the Others will be wondering where are; be-
sides"
.sBesdes what9"
81 have quite forgotten to look at the tide,
and it may be quite near US for all we know"
Nonsense; we would hear it much palmer
if it were. What odd little caves those are in
the wall; where do they lead to9"
TRADITION says, to the centre of the earth;
but that's bumbug. Do come away now."
But Ellie was headstrong, and Insisted on ex
ploring every one of the little assures before she
would quit the spot; even then she fingered, in
spite of Arthurs efforts to hurry her.
"How funny you look!' she said, laughing
"What are you in such state for2 1t would
he great fun if the tide had come imp
aEllie. YOU don't know what you are saying,"
said Arthur as, grasping her hand tightly, he
drew her forward.
"What tiresome boy you are!' said Ellie,
halt laughing nan proFohou' We nave only
been short time in the cave"
sThe time has passed much quicker than you
imagine. Hark! how near the sea sounds!"
There was something in his voice that startled
Ellie. and she DO longer held back.
90 Artburl what is the matter 2" she said,
a. an exclamation of dismay burst from her
lips.
aLook'
Ellie's face grew paler and paler as she looked
forth on the expanse of waters that lay around
them. only broken by the rocks that here and
there raised their rugged heads above the tide.
20 Arthur! how dreadful! how can we get
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