West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-05-22
Our Landlord.

Dot" they call me-my real name If
Dorothea, but that being such mouthful'
am generally known as "Dot."
am the youngest of three, and having
had my own way from my cradle, 1t was
not refused me last November when my sis
ter and her husband offered TO take me
abroad with them for the winter months.
have heard some people say there is no.
thing TO see at Biarritz, in France All,
blind and miserable creatures where are
your senses-where your eyes, Did you
ever look elsewhere upon such a sea--such
rocks2
But | am getting romantic, and that is
not my style, not mine certainly, little
"Dors." No, indeed, the idea makes me
die with laughing.
My sister Geraldine (or GERRY" as per
sist in calling ner, which makes her very
mad) goes in for being delicate, so Jack and
used to take long walks and rides together;
he is dear, good old fellow, and we are
tremendous friends; but somehow notwith-
standing, after had been a couple of weeks
or so at Barritz, began to feel time hang
heavily OH my hands.
Being hard put to it for amusement, |
would sometimes take book and saunter
down upon the rocks, there remaining fol
hours at a time.
l am desperate tom-boy, and can climb
and scramble splendidly, much to the an
noyance of Geraldine, who declares that |
get as brown as berry, and my hands are
not fit to be seen.
However that may be true, scramble /
do, and one auspicious day (never to be for
gotten) had got a good way out among
some dear old craggy pits of rock, and find
ing snug little corner in which / Just fit.
ted, l settled myself down easily and began
to read.
Suddenly, however, the pangs of hunger
seized me q may add, my appetite never
fails me), and, glancing at my watch, |
discovered 1t was long past my luncheon
time.
seized my shawl, and proceeded to make
my way back with expedition, when 10 to
my intense dismay, | perceived that the
tide had risen, and entirely divided the rock
upon which | was standing from the shore.
Still worse, the horrid waves were creep
ing nearer and nearer, and not a soul could
see to help me in my distress.
Imagine my feelings; me, poor little mis-
erable dot, alone IN the middle of the
ocean.
shouted, but the noise of the waves
drowned my feeble cries, like they would
soon drown me. Oh would any one be
sorry Oh /! why had ! ever come to this
hateful Biarritz to be drowned all alone like
this; | wonder, would they put it in the
papers2
All these thoughts crowded upon me as
the waves approached, and had begun 70
lose all hope, when, oh, joy saw figure
in the distance.
Once again / shouted, and waved my
shawl vehemently
The figure stopped, waited one instant.
and then l could see it plunge into the
water and approach me gradually. Oh, the
intense relief of that moment
BY the time th9 figure (Which was that
OF a MANI reached me, was nearly sur
rounded by water, and five minutes more
would have decided my fate.
Before that five minutes passed / was
caught by a pair Of strong arms, and was
being supported through the water safely
and surely TO the beach, where shortly af-
terwards | was deposited, dripping, blue
little Dot feeling very much smaller
than usual
My deliyerer had scarcely looked at; /
only felt that he was big and strong, and
that / was like n doll in his arms.
Notwithstanding my remonstrance, he
persisted in carrying me on 10 the hotel. at
the entrance of which he gently put me
down.
turned, and gave him my too little blue
hands, with what few expressions of thanks
/ could muster.
lie took them, (he hands, ! mean in
. his warm, big brown ones, and said, in q
deep sweet voice
"now thankful / am that was in timcl
n few minutes later, and"
j shuddcrcd he left the sentence unfn-
tshed, and was taking his leave. when /
murmered something about my sister and
brother and how pleased they would be If
he would call but he interrupted me with /:
81 should have been delighted. but. nm
fortunately, leave Biarritz early tomorrow
morning
And 80 he LETT me--left me with little
pang at my heart, such as had never felt
before.
gave my sister and brother q slight
sketch Of the whole affair, and Jack, dear.
good-hearted Jack, flies all over town TO
discover and thank my deliverer, but all to
no purpose
January and February were very agree
able months at Biaritz, and became more
reconciled TO the lack Of amusements in