The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-04-10
LETTER FROM UNCLE JOSH.
FIDDLER's CREEK, Mach 81.
No. II.

LEIIEh nun ONCLE JUSH.
FIDDLER's CREEK, Mach 81.
No. II.
Editor Free Press:
In the early dawn was awakened
by the singing of birds outside my
bedroom window and steppinginto an
adjoining bathroom, observed no
tice above the marble bath-va, which
read-''For sea-bath, towh this
button" Recollections of nv boy
hood days spent on the seasho.e in old
Massachusetts,, caused me to smile at
the idea of an imitation sea-b;th. but
l pressed the button, and Stepping
down two or three broad marble steps.
| stood at the edge of the water. By
this time the room was filled with
most delicious odor Of the sea; and in
an ecstacy of delight l plunged head
long into the vast square cistern or
vat, and reveled in most delightful
and invigorating sea-bath. After
plunging, swimming and floating to
my hearts content, 1 reluctantly dom
ned my clothing, and while engaged
in this, my eye rested On another
button" that had thus far escaped
my observation. 1t bore the simple
inscription, ''sea-breeZes." If the
''sea-bath" notice made me smile,
this caused me to laugh outright.
The idea of sea-breeze in the Gun
dine" region was too much. Howev-
er, touched the button, and the eff
feet was magical, and I could but
stand in wide-eyed wonder; a gentle
breeze sprang up, from whence I
knew not. I could hear the waves
roll in and break upon the shore and
glide away to come again, and again,
the wind in the meantime whispering
a sweet lullaby. Then louder and
louder came the sounds and the waves
dashed against the shore, and / could
hear the splash of the spray far up on
the rocks. The breeze was gaining in
strength, the tide was coming in, the
waves danced and laughed as they
followed each other in rapid success
sion, dashing themselves against the
jagged rocks, then chasing each other
far down the sandy beach, and out be-
yOnd the sense of hearing. Oh! the
JOY of this mornant!
lived again MY bOyhood days. o, the
sobbing. restless sea. Would I ever
live to behold it again! Now it was
flood tide, and the roaring, surging
waters lashed into fury by the rising
gale, was dashing, leaping high in air,
and throwing itself against the land
with deep, sullen roar. The effect
was sublime, glorious. Thoughts of
my old home by the sea came rushing
in upon me, filling my soul with an
unutterable longing, and I threw my
self upon a lounge and wept like a
child.
Upon opening my eyes, L saw by the
fast coming dawn, covering the entire
wall beyond the bathing-vat, and as
the light grew stronger, [ could see
that it came down to the very edge of
the water, land as l gaZed upon the
picture-which proved to be an i'm
mense oil painting-the scene seemed
strangely familiar to me, and rising,
/ threw open the curtains of my
chamber window, letting in a flood of
light from the fast reddening eastern
sky, and turning I looked again at
the wonderful picture. | cannot de-
scribe my emotions, for there before
me was the exact portraiture of my
own beloved homestead by the sea.
Here was the old house, with its wide
open porch facing the sea, there were
the same old rocks that I had climbed
so often when boy, and yonder was
the gently sloping green sward, and in
the rear Of the house was the dear old
orchard where | had spent so many
happy days. Then came the rugged.
gnarly oaks, and the roadway leading
down the lane; and in the foreground
was the heavenly blue sea, Join
ing the waters of the bath with a cy-
cloramic effect that was truly marvel
Gus. [ gaZed long and rapturously
upon the scene before me, then walk
ing to the window facing the east,
beheld a scene equally enhancing.
The sun was just showing its up
per rim above the horizon, tipping the
hills with gold and lending crimson
UluU W UuC udpp1C OlOuuS UudU Sh1GUCu
the eastern sky, and anon casting its
radiant glances across the lake at the
foot of the lawn, that was gently stir.
red by the fresh morning breeze that
was coming up from the south. Fields
on fields of waving grain basking in
the bright sunlight, all ready and
waiting for the reaper.
The ''sea-breeZe" had died away tC
a mere whisper, and all around me was
calm and beautiful, and while I stood
at my window drinking in the soul
inspiring picture before me, an electric
bell on the wall at my right, began tt
ring in an imperative sort of way
without ceasing, until | walked ovel
to it, when it suddenly ceased, and &
little door just above it flew open with
a click, and a voice came from a small
image standing in the doorway, say
ing: breakfast in twenty minutes,
and with click the tiny image dis
appeared and the little door wa:
closed.
UNCLE JOSH.