The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1882-03-15
LAMBERTVILLE, N. j., WEDNESDAY. MARCH is, 1ss
A SUMMER BY THE SEA.
Bessie Bolton wns deliehted.

Bessie Bolton was delighted
Five minutes ago Bessie had been in de.
spair--and her gentle sister Eolia refiectedall
her moods like human loobing-glass.
Eolia Bolton was not we'll 1t was not
exactly decline, but she had lost her appe-
tite, grown pale and coughed, and Bessie's
quick affection had taken alarm at once.
Miss Bolton ought to 60 into the coun-
try the doctor said--and before Eolia could
demonstrate, her sister had given up the
rooms they occupied in the city, and con-
suited the nearest Real Estate Agent. But
IT was easy to talk about " the countiy.n
Malaria reigned supreme in this plaee,
clouds of mosquitoes drove away the rural
aspirant in another, high fares blockadeda
third, and thus it went ON, until Bessie be-
gan TO thing that it was moral impossible.
ity to obey the doctors edict.
Until one day, walking sadly along by the
sea shore, they came unexpectedly upon
low, rambling old farmhouse, with its gray
stone wall half covered with creepers, and a
wilderness of hollyhocls, sweet williams and
crimson roses tangled together in the back
yard, while, in full view upon the front
battered placard, g To Let," swung idly
to and fro in the wind
And then it was-and there--that Bessie's
lead-weighted heart gave its upward spring.
"Eolia !" she cried, "this is the very
place for us! Smell the sea airl Look at
those delicious waves creeping over the sand
belowl Observe this picturesque old pile,
with the households growing on its roof and
the vines blowing about in the breeze
al am afraid we can't afford it, Bessie"
said Eolia
Inquire at Next House Below" said
Bessie, deciphering the worn inscription on
the paper. "Come, Eolia, conceive q
presentiment that we shall meet with exactly
what we want here
The next house below. however, was n
full mile distant, over stretch of slippery
sand half flooded by the foam of the incom-
ing tide--it was inhabited by deaf old
woman, who "didn't know "--she couldn't
say. Was the rent high? "She couldn't
say for certain--she believed it was about
twelve dollars month, but she didn't
know" Were the premises in good repair
She didn' feel that she could take il upon
herself to assert" Gould they have the key9
"Well, she wasn't certain. Praps they
could. Sometimes her old man had it in his
coat pocket but Yes, here il was"
There was deposit to be paid--the first
monrI's rent if-oh, thankee kindly. She
was very much obliged, she was sure
And Bessie came running out to Eolia,
triumphantly waving the key over her head
Business is business, Eo ~ she cried, ex-
ultantly And we are tho ladies of the
manor now Well sleep under that pretty
sloping roof tonight"
And they did, having succeeded in bor-
rowing sofa-bedstead and two or three
chairs from the neighbours cottage! Joyfully
they wandered over the old rooms, peeping
through the dust-flmed lattices, opening the
green, thrce-cornered cupboard, inspecting
their new premises with all the deiiuht Of
7 dny old pfopfietfesses
For Bessie colored photographs and Eolia
designed wall paper, calico patterns, and tile
decorations, and they required ''studio "
facing to the north, and plenty of room
They were no luxurious butterflies, these
sisters, but two warm hearted, diligent
working girls who earned their own bread
and ate it with a sense of honest pride.
So Eolia staid in the house to set it to
rights, with the aid of Mrs. Chubbs red
arma OIL ol1acf dourbfar ond Raso;a xvaof ,,,1
TO town to pack their little store of furniture
and send ii down by express And tho first
night that they sat in the little bow window
ed apartment that fronted the seq, with the
easements all curtained with red chintz,
the well-worn crimson carpet on the floor
and the merry little fire of driftwood blazing
on the hearth, they looked smilingly into
one anothers eyes.
~ feel better already" said Eolia "The
very air that breathe is like tonic! But
It is so lonely!'
"Who is afraid of solitude ?" cheerily de-
manded Bessie. as she knelt to put new
pile of wood on the fire. You will see
that we shall live like two queens in our pal
ace here, Eo We can send our work up to
the city twice week, by express--the ex-
pense here will be trihing, and
There" cried Eolia, with start, II
knew it was someone knocking, / heard it
twice before"
@ It's old Chubb with the fish for break
fast, said Bessie springing 10 her feet
"No, it isn't' said Eolia. "The fish came
half an hour ago. Bess, I'm afraid il is n
pirate, or smuggler, Or"
Don't be goose, Co." said her elder sis
ter, as she We. brislsIy to the door, and
peeping out into the salt scented twilight,
said:
"Who's there Z"
"It's l. a clear voice answered." Cap
tain Lilburne, with my traps"
("Then it is pirate ~ family calculated
Eola to herself
What do you want?" demanded Bessie.
ITO come in! ~ shortly responded the
other voice. What shoud wants Open
the door a little further can't you, my good
girl"
" Go about your business" said Bessie,
with the emphasis Of one who is determined
to have her own way
Let me in - sternly spoke the voice
"Ill do nothing Of the sort !" said Bessie.
No