Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-11-30
AT THE SEASIDE.

! Martin had been Ill, hut there was great
Joy at the Grange when she was ordered
to go to the seaside as soon as she was
strong enough for the Journey, and
Charlie was told that he was to accom-
pany her.
Their papa and mamma were unable
to leave home just then, so the chill
dren were to go to Mrs. Hawkins, a
faithful old Irishwoman, who had nursed
them both rs babies, and who, having
married comfortably, and been left a
widow, resided in pretty cottage close
to the sea-shore at Highbeach, and oc-
casionally let couple of rooms rs a
lodging.
These were taken for the two children,
and as they were respectively ten and
eight years of age. it was considered
that they were old enough and wise
enough to take care of themselves under
the supervision of Nurse Moran, of
whom they were very fond.
Charlie and Elsie loved their parents
dearly, but there was something III the
| novelty and independence OF the present
proceeding that was quite delightful TO
them and made up for the temporary
separation and do not suppose there
were two happier small personages in
the world than this boy and girl were
when. after a pleasant Journey, they
found themselves sitting opposite to
each other III their own little drawing
room, at their own ten table, covered
by spotless white cloth. spread with
bread, brown and white, excellent but
ter, newly-laid eggs, and lovely dish
of prawns.
"Some day, Nurse Norah, > said Elsie,
as the kind nurse placed the teapot on
the table, and told them to begin, "some
day you must let us have a lobster"
''Snure wild all the pleasure in life, !
miss dear; an it's the hoight of indi-
gestion, it is, but wanst in way shall
not matter"
"And I'll tell you what, Elsie," said
Charlie, with dignity. "Tll catch the
Holsters for you"
The next morning Charlie and Elsie
never left the shore-dlgging in the
sands, playing ON the rocks, taking of
shoes and stockings to paddle in the
pools, and at last bringing home such
q collection of sea-weeds, shells, sea-
anemones, and pebbles, that Nurse
Norah laughed aloud when the two hap
ply net laden figures made their appear
ance for their early DINNERS.
Charlie had seen some boys on the
sands, and insisted on getting cos
tune like theirs his own knickerbock
ers, he admitted, would do well enough,
but he must have blue knitted Jersey
and long peaked cap, also knitted,
and also blue.
They had toy boat with them, and
after dinner they went back to the shore
and amused themselves by sailing it in
one of the pools, and when tired of this,
Elsie sat down on a stone on the sands.
and found fresh recreation in examin
ing green old basket that stood there.
"And it is the queerest basket I ever
saw, Charlie" she said.
-'tDo come and look.
"You could neither put anything IN
nor take anything out of it.
Charlie looked down, boat i'll hand.
''It is not basket at all" he said !;
'jt is rat trap only l never saw one
made OF wicker before. and it is uncom-
monty large and why has it got rope
tied to it?
"But look here, do you see these
sticks at the top?
Through these O rat"
"Haw, haw, hawl" laughed voice
behind him, and turning sharply round,
he beheld boy smaller than himself,
but who looked quite as old.
HE was dressed just like him, for he
was the very boy whose Jersey and cap
he had admired so much in the morn
ing that he had resolved to have similar
garments himself.
'It's queer rats they catches in these
traps MASTER" said he; and he knelt
down and peeped through the bars.
"What would your feyther say?" he
asked, with comical wink OF his left
eye.
"Oh," said Charlie airily, she lets
me boat often enough and he is not at
Highbeach, SO | can't ask him.
Here" he added, taking a bright
twenty-five cent piece out Of his pocket,
"I'n give you this if you will"
oh and me too," cried Elsie,
fumbling in her pocket, and producing
money also. 'I've got twenty-five
cents as we'll as Charlie.
.'Iake me too.
In fact, their mother had given them
each the same amount Of money when
they left home.
Tie fsher-boy looked very knowingly
at the two glitterin9 pieces of silver,
and put his tongue into ms check again,
giving again comical wink.
"Wel, don't mind if l do, he said
slowly.
Charlie stamped about the shore in