North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1862-08-13
af(lls&eualeous.
Mr.. Smiths Seaside SojOurn.
BY CLARA AUGUSTA.

Paul George Washington Smith shut up
the noyel he had been reading, and his sal
low face grew luminous with the light of a
new idea.
"Ma,' said be to an ancient lady who was
darning stockings near him-"I am going to
visit the seashore."
Good gracious, Paul go to the sea-
shore Well, never! why that's the place
where Lucy Billings Sam got drowndd,
when l was a gal You mustn's think of
such a thing as gwine p -~ ..
But tell you Pm bound to go! Julien
Hep'aneter st. Rogue, the hero of this book
| that I've been reading, spent all his Sum.
mers by the sea, and, at last he married one
Of the finest women there with a coach and
four, and million of dollars They got
| acquainted at ore of those large hotels that
are advertised in the Chronicle! And /
mean to go too may be as lucky as Jul,
len was!"
Lord love you, Paul you're nothing but
a boy yet Why you hahn! got the leatest
speck of beard hope you ha5,at begun to
think about ~ife !"
III haven't any beard, have nous
tachc," replied Paul, agcctionately stroking
a microscopic yell w down on his upper lip
Don't. Paul, call that mous stache! why
it haint longer than the hair On a cricket's
eat toe, and it looks exactly as if you'd
rubbed buttercup over your upper lip"
Ma, you insult me y
"No, sonny, dear; ma. never would do
that! but what on ear til do You want to go
to the seashere for 2"
" For what other people go, to be sure
For my health, and to improve my appetite"
" For m2ssy's sakes don't 60 anywheres
to git more of an appetite than you've got
now That last barrel of beef IS more'n half
gone already, and thare haint ten pounds of
-four in the house You have got an awful
appetite, Paulm
"Supposng have You nced't be contin-
ually Ringing out at a fellow about his appe-
tlte {; end mind you, noy,-I shall go, and
shall want fifty dollars to pay my expens-
es :"
Paul, as usual carried the day. lie was
an only child, consequently he was spoiled.
At nineteen, he was as verdant specimen of
humanity as one eyer saw. His bump of self
esteem was most wonderfully developed, and
he labored under the impression that every
young lady he met was "dead in love with
him."
For the rest, he was about an average with
other youths Of his age possessed the usual
quota Of sentimentaity sDorted long soap
locks, and as flaming waistcoats, as any 9TH
er man and talked of himself and his expe-
rience with GOODNESS absolutely refreshing.
Behold him, one fine July morning en-
route for Long Beach, and Seaview House.
Clad in his best suit Of blue, with bright but.
tons his pink neck-tie in bow knot his
lemon coloTed kids tight as his skin-his
pockets full of doughnuts and a rope by
which to let himself down from the window
of his chamber, in case Of fire.
Paul'S " caution" was large, and he had no
idea Of being burned alive.
That ride By railway was great event
He carried his blue hat box on his lap, and
sat on his yaiise, lest somebody should ap-
propriate them while he was looking from
his window.
He passed an uncomfortable day. When
he arrived a. the Seaview House, he aston
ished everybody by the appetite he display
ed, and the evident fear in which he stood
concerning his box and valise, which he had
placed on the floor by his side.
At last, he was safely cnsconced in a room
of his own, where after having peeped under
the bed, examined the closet and pulled out
the bureau drawers, to make sue that there
were ne hidden murderers, or trapdoors,
like those his fagorite novels told of--he
composed himself to sleep.
The next day, merry company young
men hoping for some amusement from Paul's
verdancy- invited him to accompany then
on fishing excursion, down the bay that
afternoon. Paul was mortally afraid of wa
ter but when told that two fine young la
dies would be of the party, his fears vanish
ed, and he accepted the.invtaton.
He ate an unusually large dnner-thsre
was fish of all kinds, cooked in every desert
babe inanner--and Paul was remarkably
fond, Of fish.
AT two, the party SET out. Miss Bly, and
Miss Merrick were charming particularly
Miss Bly,, who took Paul under her especial
charge, and very nearly burst her stay lac
ings in consequence Of the laughter she was
obiidged to smother.
A half mile cut, the water began to get
little rough-and Paul's head got strangely
unsteady, and gravitating from SIDE to side.
he was oblidged to hold on to the boats
side with both hands, 96d then he found it
- \. "a - Nv