North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1862-09-24
matter of course, said aloud, and ! got for.

matter of course, said aloud, and ] got for
answer
"Most certainly do; come on" And he
seized my hand and galloped down the beach
dragging me with him. l managed to gasp
out: " Let me go am ashamed of you
The sea air has made you crazyp' but he
never stopped till was up to my neck in
water.
Then commenced a series of prosecutions.
He Insisted that [ must wet my head, or it
would give me a cold, and taking of his hat
he dipped it in the water, and pushing back
my hat, douceG my head; and then filling it
again performed this same agreeable little
operation upon himself. Language fails to
describe how ugly heslooked the wavy
brown hair parted neatly behind and brushed
out at the sides was reduced to few elfish
locks, fatty matted down to his head, and
around his neck, and the water ttickling
from it down his nose, and around his face
generally.
Then he declared must float; and he put
his hand on my back and told me to raise
myself up This declared would not do /;
but my tyrant insisted, and at last made
the attempt and succeeded. Lightly resting
on the water the sensation certainly was
pleasant, and almost forgave Mr.. j. for his
misdemeanors, when that gentleman sudden
ly announced he thought | could float alone,
and SO saying withdrew his hand. Down
went, struggling and gasping, salt water run
ming into my eyes, nose, and mouth. How
far went down [ am unable to say, for the
next thing was standing on my feet, and
that fendish Mr.. j. standing by, dying with
laughter, and essaying to wipe my face with
his dripping shirt sleeve. gave him an in
dignant look through my, perforce, wet eye
lashes, and declared my intention of going
ashore. This he objected to: =" He wanted
to teach me how to swim" "Swim !" with
what scorn uttered that one word turn
ed my back upon Mr.. J. and waded towards
the beach. He politely came after me, and
walked up to the clearinghouse. That short
walk never recall without shudder. The
feeling Of wet flannel is not the most agreea-
ble thing in the world. pulled my gypsy
over my face so that none of the saunterers
| on the beach should recognize me. Mr.. Jack
son said not word till got safely within
the door, and then he muttered, with sigh
"Ah, Miss Blanche, you were not intended
for a sea nymph p'
|
I bade him sharply ago look at himself in
the glass" and disappeared to make my toi-
let, which | did with great satisfaction, in
wardIy resolving never to go in bathing again
After | was all dressed, | went down the
beach and looked for mamma. There they
all were placidly ducking up and down, and
occasionally playfully giving each other a
shower.
By and by Mr.. J. joined me, looking fresh
er and handsomer than ever, and we went
mournfully back to the hotel.
As | sat that evening, on corner of the
long balcony recalling the scenes of the morn
ing, my friend came to me.
Miss Blanche" he said, standing leaning
against the balcony railing, do not you
think you anG would agree better at Sharon
than here !"
| acknowledged that we probably would.
Sharon is very pleasant now," continued
he, " it is the height of the season."
4" Charming l exclaimed with enthusi-
asm. '' "~ .- a-..
Well suppose we 60 there 2" Mr.. j
said this in rather embarrassed manner.
Mamma never would consent" answer
ed, I" she thinks she needs the seaar."
But without mamma ?" he said in low
voice, and leaning over me little.
Without mamma 2"
:" There is a clergyman here, and it is a
pity to waste the summer You'll never
bathe again ?"
sob neverr' -
"Well, Blanche, shall we go ?'' g
"Why, yes, think it would be to bad to
waste the summer.
So it was arranged, and Mr.. j. went gaily
off and got an arm chair and brought it over
to my corner, and took out cigar, and lit
it for him, and we talked and planned, and
laughed, for an hour or more. And when
mamma came looking for me, had just time
to pull away my hand from his, when she
spied me. | am afraid she saw the motion,
for she looked little severe, and commenc-
| ed q
Blanche, it is after eleven O." when
Mr.. j. got up and made her bow and told
consent.
"Mamma was struck dumb with amaze
ment, but at last recovered herself sufficient
ly to exclaim-