Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-11-23
A SEA MONSTER.

Tom Langtry, walking along the
pebbly beach a few miles from Mullin-
garth, came upon a sheltered inlet
where undisturbed he might indulge
in the luxury of Il swim. 1t was a
warm afternoon, and Tom, oppressed
with the fatigue and dust of long
railroad journey from Dublin that
morning, could not resist the tempta-
tion OF a dip" in the cool, sparkling
water. Leaving his clothes half
hidden among the rocks, he plunged
in and struck out boldly from land.
After half an hours lusty buffeting
with the waves, he swan slowly back
to shore, and, scrambling up the
shelving beach. saw, to his indescrib-
able CONSERVATION, that of his garments
left on the rocks not a trace remained.
He stood for a moment looking about
him in breathless dismay, shivering
and miserable, but with energy enough
left roundly to malign the rascally
thief who had taken his clothes. He
shouted in a strong. clear yOice-once
twice, three times-but no answer
came. What was to be done? He
could not walk back TO the town as
he was, and il was growing late and
unpleasantly cool. What fool he
had been to risk his property within
reach of possible thief! Yet the spot
he had chosen had seemed so safe.
\ quantity of rank, coarse-fbred sea-
weed grew on the rock, and the re-
mains of a tish-nct were hanging from
a stake driven into the sand. No bet
ter idea occurring to him. Captain
Langtry tore great handfuls Of the
Shiny weed from its stony bed. and.
winding it about his shiyering form.
secured it with fragments Of the net.
The oily seaweed. thickly besprink-
led with barnaclcs and sharply-cdved
cockle-shells, was but a sorry substi-
tute for the neat tweed suit and fine
linen, the loss of which he so bitterly
regretted. He advanced few steps,
when the absurdity Of his appearance
struck him, and he laughed till the
tears ran down his checks. Would his
gay companions in Dublin recognize
him nowI How differently from Of
old would the bellies Of that bright city
regard him could they see him. clothed
in yards of Shiny seaweed!
He made his way inland from the
beach as fast as his unshod feet would
bear him over the rough stones, and.
crossing barren meadow came at
length upon a cabin more picturesque
than the average. shaded by several
fine oaks. Help seemed finally at hand
for surely the toughest peasant would
have more suitable attire than sea-
weed to lend in an emergency. Cap
tain Langtry hastened toward the
open doorway, and proclaimed his ar
rival by a knock and loud "Hallo 7"
His summons was quickly answered
by girl of sixteen or eighteen, who.
after one swift glance at the new.
conner, threw up her hands and ex-
claimed:
"The saints defend us, but 1t Is the
Ould One himself"
Captain Langtry gave no heed to
this inhospitable greeting. so pleased
and fascinated was he by the girls
beauty. Her real Irish eyes Of clear
dark blue shone with excitement her
cheeks were flushed, and her glossy
black hair, curling and soft, had fallen
over one shoulder in picturesque con-
fusion. But her mental summing nm
Of the captain was far from compli-
mentary; she saw only a shaggy, drip
ping creature, with little human about
him except tawny mustache and
saucy blue eyes.
Begone, you villain. or / will throw
this hot water over yOul" she cried.
seizing the boiling kettle from the
hob.
Tom saw that she was in earnest.
and as she absolutely refused to listen
to his pitiful story. he thought IL better
to avoid the scalding water and depart
in.peace. With last regretful glance