The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1874-02-19
NIMPo's TRIP ON THE CREEK
From st. NIcholas for February.

Fanny Cole lived at the edge of the
villag and very near the woods. There
was also a shallow creek close by, in
which the children were allowed to play,
for it was not considered deep enough
to be dangerous. Nanny's house was
favorite place to vi it, especially with
such girl as Nimbo, who never could
get enough of the woods.
As she a ID Robbie approached the
house, Nanny and her brother came out,
and they all went to the woods. Firs t
they got their hands aud arms full of
wild flowers, pretty moss, acorns, and
pine cones; and when at last they could
carry no moro, they found n pletty
place for house.
1t was against the roots of large
tree which had blown down. The great
bundle of roots, higher than their
heads, aud full OF earth, stood up
straight, and before it was the hole it
had left. This droll house they adorned
with their treasures, making car
pet of moss and boquets of the flowers,
which they stuck into cracks in the
great root
Whom tho house WAS GnieLol No5'
PLAYED n while. Then finding n fiat
stone for table, they spread it with
cookies from basket Mrs. Cole had
given them.
They spent some time over this meal
eating from plates of clean birch bark,
and drinking white tea" ont OF dainty
acorn cups. -,
Then John proposed that they should
go and play on the creek, and down
they went. For some time they built
dams where the water WAS very shallow.
Then they sailed boats mado OF pieces
of bark, loaded with small pebbles,
which they called bags of wheat, or
with passengers-mad Of pieces of
twigs, with acorn cups for hats. These
boats all started Off bravely, and sailed
gaily down the creek for few rods,
but there the current took them toward
O rock in the middle of the stream, and
against that nearly every one was
wrecked. If it passed it was snre to
be capsized in little eddy Just beyond.
After enjoying this little time John
proposed that they all should sail about
on boards. OF course, Nmpo was
ready for that, so they got a few boards,
fastened them side by side as best they
could, and took long pole to push
their RATS along In this way they
went p and down the creek and had
fine times.
Robbie was not big enough to have 6
boat by himself so lie sailed with join
for q while. But at last John thought
he would go down through the rapids
as they called a place whore the creel
spread out wide, and was filed will
large stones.
Nimpo told Robbie to come to hel
boat, and she pushed her boards up to
ward Johns, so that he could do it
Before she was quito ready Robbie
Jumped on, and coming so suddenly
upset the narrow raft and threw then
both into the water.
1t was not very dangerous, as | hav'
said, for it was not deep, but it wa
very wet, and Nimpo fell her full
length.
John and Mamie hurried to help her
and in moment she stood on the bank
wet to the skin and Robbie was in tn
same plight. They hurried up to tn
house. Mrs. Cole wanted Nimpo to pu
on some OF NanDy's clothes, and ham,
her own up to dry, but Nimpo woul'
not consent. She said she would stan'
by the kitchen fire and dry herself.
SO by the fire she stood, one lon
hour that hot day, while Mrs. Cole too
off Robbie's clothes and dried them
Even then she was not half dry, bu
she was tired and warm, and she though
she looked dry enough to go throug
the streets.
But something led her dress,
would not dry stra hit. In spite c
pulling and smoothnG, it would nc
come right" and SIC saw very plainl
that she could never wear it again.
"If Mrs. Pumpkins does her duty,
said Mrs. Cole, as at last Nimpo an
Robbie started for homo, D." she'll PIT
You to bed, and give you hot dose {
ginger tea"
=" guess she won't" thought Nimpt
I" for l won't tell her word about i
/ hate ginger tea."
II was nearly disk when she eptere
the kitchen-door, hoping to slip II
stairs before any one saw her. B,
Mrs Primkins' eyes were sharp.
"Wby, Nimpo Rievor! What O
earth! Have You been in the water
Nimpo's heart sank. .-
~ got little wet, up at Mrs. Coles
said she. ........- '.......-
"Got a. little wet / should think 81
Did yon fatl in the creek up there p
=! Yes, faltered Nimpo, "bnt I'm ;
dry now.
"All dry Rimph, You've prol