The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-09-28


coquetting with the water, are myriads
OF tiny forget.me.nots, varying in hno
from the azure, the best known, TO pale
pink, and even white. II is here, too,
that the pure flowers Of the writer.
ranunculus float on the surface, though
the lily.buds are only swelling, and
will open their waxen cups too late for
us TO wonder at their beauty.
Il was beneath these ferny banks
that great pike, lying lazily among the
weeds, scarcely bestirred themselves to
get out OF our way, and deceived the
lads INTO the belief that they might be
easily caught. II was here, too, that
we rested on our oars 10 watch the
perch darling TO and fro, till all the
party grew excited, and began regret
ting that they had come out unproyided
with fShing tackle.
Our canal is not one unbroken
course, never varying in width. In
some places It has overfowed the origi-
nal banks, and expanded into pools
or, as they are called in the locality,
(" flashes sn-of considerable size, mar.
rowing aiterward SO much that there is
merely width enough to row with COM
fort /; nor does IL take one straight wea.
risome line, but pleasantly winds and
bends, and continually presents US
with fresh views. Another bridge
passed, and o water.side tavern, and .
lew cottages-quaint and ugly but for
the roses that oyerhang their porches,
and make their gardens glorious-and
then the merry voices take softer tones,
and Cousin Carrie gazes so rapturously
that she iorgets her duties and has to
be called to order.
We are entering 0 sylvan vista the
towering oaks and elms Of Dogmers.
field Park are met high overhead by the
branches Of the trees surmounting the
steep bank opposite, and we linger in
the cool shadows till Mr.. Roydon
sighs, and Tom, fancying we are all
growing melancholy, reminds us that II
ID noon, and we are not TO lunch until
we have reached Winchfeld, o mile or
two further on. gfG 7ll
Picnic dinners had been voted o
bore, entailing as they do an infnity
Of trouble, and too many risks OF beng
rendered UNBEATABLE by some accidentor
omission. So mamma had prudently
eschewed anything Of the kind. There
were sandwiches for the elders; cake
aud biscuits for the lads. These were
discussed beneath some willews on the
grassy bank, and then we were re.
freshed aud ready for the homeward
row, and the more substantial meal
that awaited us at its close.
1t was during this rest on shore, and
o. stroll across some inviting-looking
fields, that Cousin Carrie unwittingly
came into notice. Without intending
10 be unkind, we had let her sink into
something very like o drudge 10 the
whole family. Carrie will do this or
the other ~" Carrie doesn't mind -
or, " Carrie always gets on best with
Che boys" were speeches that we ut
tered too often. Accustomed TO see
her give her place TO others, and be
silent while Belle firted and Fanny
chartered, we had forgotten that she
was equally fair and young, and de.
serving attention. II was Mr.. Roydon
who contriyed to awaken US to our sell
tishness; his politeness made us
ashamed OF our own neglect. II was he
who came to the rescue when the ex.
actions OF the youngsters made her
look pale and tired; 1t was he who
good.humoredly, but decidedly,
checked Tom when he evinced q dispo.
sition 10 tease his little cousin, and
who snubbed Will when he rudely
broke in upon something she was say
ing.
Stirred by so good an example, Fanny
now made faint offer to take Carries
place, saying that IL wasn't fair that
she should be shut out Of thepleasanter
party; but the offer was declined, and
we rowed home in much the same man.
ner as we came.
The lads had taken turns at the oars,
landing occasionally TO make excursions
after nests, and get up snake and squir.
rel hunts, till their wild spirits and
their legs failed them and Olive, lying
in the bottom Of the boat with his head
on Carries knees, bade her sing him to
sleep. When Tom seconded the re-
quest, she acceded, and CAV voices in
the other boat caught up the strain,
Mr.. Roydon adding o mellow bass.
Then we all grewyery still, till chance
allusion TO foreign scenery aroused
Give once more. fI LII
nTell us something about New Zea-
land, Carrie. She was born there, Mr..
Roydon, did you know IL? Begin at
once, theresa dear. I lean always listen
best when I'm sleepy. Tell us about
the row with the Maories."
Carrie was not disposed to volunteer
any information about herself, but q
well.timed question or two drew from
her q tale, which the rowers, Tom and
Mr.. Roydon, rested on their oars TO
hear.
Some few years before the death Of
her parents, she, o girl Of ten or twelve,
had gone on visit TO tho farm Of m old
fri0nd-a lovely, bonny spot in one Of
the widest regions OF the island. While
luxuriating in its fruits and flowers,
the uneasy looks Of the farmer and his
wife passed unnoticed, and they would
not terrify their child.yisitor by re-
peating in her presence the alarming
reports that were hourly reaching them.
A tribe Of the Maories had reyolted,
and stolen on some OF the settlers In
tho dead Of night. killing and destroy.
ing with fendish barbarity. No one
knew but what his own home might
be the next attacked, and Of present the
military force within call had proved
inadequate,
neyer.t .be.forgotten night, the storm