Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-08-24

but savoring of democratic scandal So
we changed the game to ci'gt-eC-'m to
please her, and | will take an affidavit that
she cheated.
Clara was staying at the clearinghouse
all by herself. She lived with two elder
sisters generally, but they had shindy,
and she thought it better 10 leave them
for a while. / had always been terribly
shy and uncomfortable with ladies', but
she came and talked to me, and set me at
ease the first evening. She told me about
her sisters, and asked my advice, 1t was
the first time any one had treated me so
decidedly as a man, and no doubt she
thought me older than l was; for was
six feet high, and had undoubted whiskers,
for a my hair is black they showed. OF
course she was good deal my senior, or
she would not be allowed to go about the
world alone like that; but she was the
pleasantest girl had ever met, and we got
on together capitally. Wespent the morn
ings on the beach, sat next each other at
dinner, went partners at cards. When
you are with most people, you know, you
are at loss sometimes what to say next.
Well, we never felt that; however long
we were at it, our conversation did not
flag. | suppose that may have been partly
because we talked so much about ourselves;
but the result was that liked her society
ncommonly, and when she firtca with
an old holfpay officer, who had dyed, not
for his country, but for his vanity, /
longed to punch his painted head
Aunt Bonwick quizzed me, and told me
to mind what was about; that boarding
houses were terrible places for man-traps,
and | might get snapped up before | was
aware. | replied there was no danger, for
| was sure that Clara would not have time
if ! asked her.
every good" replied my aunt; "but
for gracious sake, my dear George, don't
put it to the proof"
Aunt Bonwick's head was always run
ming on marriages and the gossip connected
with the subject-she was a tirst-rate part
ner to divide the Times with, for give her
the supplement and you might have all the
rest. So laughed at the absurdity OF her
seeing a match in such an ordinary bit of
acquaintanceship; and yet, somehow, when
| next met Clara ] felt more awkward
than had done hitherto; and just as
was getting over this shyncss, the bathing
woman patroniscd by Clara informed us
that we made as handsome couple as ever
she sea- compliment which was wofully
confusing.
You will think that spent my whole
time in dangling, but that was not the
case. The coast at Carfax is rocky and in
a little cove about half mile from the
Parade | had boat, in which was in the
habit of rowing or sailing daily; and high
up on the beach there was hut-a sort
of detached high and dry cabin belonging
to the boat and let with it, where the oars,
etc, were kept-and here used sometimes
to read and practice smoking-a luxury
which I had not as yet learned to enjoy
thoroughly.
One very hot afternoon I went down to
this nook, with the intention Of padding
out little way, and then having battle
but after dragging the boat down to the
waters edge, found that | had left the
key of the hut behind me, and without the
key | could not get the oars. The sailor
who owned the three boats which formed
the CarIaX pleasure fleet had gone out
with a party, so that | could lot get his
key and being too hot and lazy to &C
back for my own, got into the boat
made myself comfortable in the bows under
the SAIL which covered me over like tent
pulled book out of my pocket, and begar
to read. Whether it was the fault Of the
author or not, | cannot say, but fel
asleep, and very sound must have been
for on waking | could not tell at the mo-
ment where | was. When my faculties
returned little, however, looked at my
watch, and found that bad been ASLEEP
, four hours, and it was time to 60 home an,
get ready for dinner. So | struggled on
Of the folds of the sail, and saw water
water all around The shore was a goot
mile off, and the boat was drifting furthe
l and further away every minute. | als'
discovered that | was not alone femal
figure reposed in the stern, the head con
cealed by large sunshadc, but the dres
seemed familiar. approached: it wa
Clara, fast asleep, just as | had been, ant
5 overpowered by similar soporific, for
book had fallen from her hand and lay Oh
her lap.
"By Jovem I cried aloud in my con
sternation and the exclamation startled
her.
What is it ? Where am ?" she asked
opening her eyes and sitting up. "Wh,
j., we are at sea Oh, what shameful trick
What will the people say? Put me o
7 shore at once"
| protested and explained, she followc
, suit She had taken walk, been over
come with heat, and sought rest in tn
boat, of course not knowing that it wa
r mine or that any man was in it, as | wa
completely hidden by the sail. The res
" was easily imagined; the tide had come u
- and lloated the boat, which had been cal
ried off by tremendous current, whic
renders that part of the coast most danger
l. Gus for ncautious bathers.
y 81 am afraid that we shall hardly &c
= back in time for dinner" said Clara.
o 81 am afraid not" replied |.
- "But please begin rowing at once
- pleaded she.
e "There are no oars" said |,
"Oh dear! oh DEAR Then sail"
1t I stepped the mast and hoisted the sal
to look like trying, but as there was NJ
breath of wind, of course it was all of I
use, except that it temporarily and pa
|. TALLY pacifieG my companion, whose n,
~ tons of navigation were vague. At IL
", end of half an hour, however, she could nj