The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-08-31

In these tents, said Ina.
Ina and her friend played till the old
Philosophers returned from the lecture,
when the welcome dinner bell rung, and
they all entered large tent to supply
their bodily wants. Ina was very much
disappointed to find that her only COM
panion had to leave at the close of the
day. "Oh, mamma" she cried, I am
left alone who will play with me now p
But the novelty of sleeping in tent,
with only piece of canvas between her
and the sky, and the ripping of the
beautiful lake near the door of the tent
soon made her forget her feeling of lone
illness.
Next day no young philosophers ar
rived, and Ina pouted and said: I'll
play all alone so stupid of them not to
bring their children with them, for 1
have nobody to play with me-" and she
flung herself into her hammock in de-
spair But she was not child given to
long sulking, for she soon started to pick
flowers and ferns, with which she deco
rated her hat, and talked to the ripping
wavelets of her loneliness. Next day
again brought no companions for poor
Ina; she wandered about among the
grown folks" trying to hint that she
wished they would play with her; but
they were all too busy with philosophy
to pay any attention to her. She re
turned to her hammock, and, resting her
chin on her little hand, she glanced
across the lake with sorrowful face.
A gentleman, with kindness beaming
from his eyes, noticed her attitude, and,
approaching her, sand in gentle voice
How are you enjoying yourself, little
one2 You look sad"
Her face frightened up as she said
q. Yes, | am sad, because / am alone;
could play Abraham in his tent, and all
sorts of things, if there were some girls
and boys here" and she heaved deep
sigh.
Gould you not get the big people to
play with your" he asked, with benev-
client smile.
mo; nobody wants to hear me; phi
losophy is all they care about"
Poor little girl, come, I'll play with
you. What shall it be?"
Ina jumped up and clapped her hands
for joy. Soon She and her new friend
were playing all sorts of games and
painting for breath. Some of the philos-
ophers Joined in at a game of ball, and
the scene was quite lively.
In couple of days Ina was in her
glory, for half dozen girls and several
boys made their appearance. She proud
ly led them through the camp and ex-
planned to them the mysteries of camp
life in most imposing manner. The
days now passed by happily they pad
died out in boats on the lake, went fish
ing, and, in fact, made the encampment
resound with their merry, childish voices.
One day Ina suggested that they take off
their shoes and stockings and walk in
the water, AS she was always ambitious
to take the lead, she took one step too
many, and down she came and had a
regular bath, soaking her nice clean
frock Her companions roared with
laughter at the forlorn figure she cut
but she, laughing, replied, shaking her.
self: " I feel splendid after my bath"
The days seemed too short for the fun
and frolic the children had in the woods,
on the lake, or running in and out of the
tents. The young philosophers had all
the raisins and nuts they wanted at des-
sert; their rosy, sunburnt faces showed
how camp life agreed with them. An
automatic swing was put up for their
benefit, and as Ina was the first who
landed in the encampment, she had the
privilege of being commander-in-chief
of every amusement. One day it was
announced at dinner that all were in
vited to the wharf to witness the christ
ening of the woodlands. The young
philosophers wondered how such a cere-
mony could be performed, and fastened
there in time. A red flag was hoisted,
bearing the inscription, in white letters,
Warwick Woodland. Speeches were
made by all the wise heads, and were
loudly cheered by the assembly.
&c Is that all ?" remarked mischievous
looking boy. 81 would have ducked the
flag into the lake that would have been
christening in right earnest"
1t would then be Baptist, said a
little girl, laughing.
There was an unusual hustle about
the encampment on the morning Of the
closing day. The children all had long
faces when they spoke of their speedy
parting.
well" said Ina, "look here, boys
and girls; we have had splendid time,
and it is shame to have to break up
just now. 1 wish some philosopher would
/ L.