St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-09-28
THE WHISPERING SHELL.

-
who lived in country village She
PLAYED with the downy chickens,
made dolls of the hollyhocks in sum-
mer, and for these pretty ladies in
satin attire she made furniture OF
burdock burrs. She could fashion
very cute furniture, too, with these
green burrs tipped with soft pink.
She made sofas, beds, chairs and
tables, and on the tables she placed
little shells for dishes. These shells
were Clare's especial pride, for Tom,
her cousin had brought them to her
from the seashore. They were the
snowiest white on the outside, and
lined with the softest pink you ever
saw.
There was one shell so large it
would not stand on the green table.
1t was all covered with scroll work
and futed edges, ali carved by
nature. This shell Clare called her
piano, because when she held it up
to her ear she could hear the soft
murmur of the waves and the voices
of fairies, she said. And who would
take from childhood its dream
pictures and its trustfulness in all
that is sweetest in lie! But, like
those of older growth, Clare had her
ambitions, and one of these was to
visit the wonderful sea. "lf only |
might 90 there, mamma, should be
perfectly happy
The mother stroked the bright
golden hair and looked down into
the blue eyes so like that of the
father as she answered: "Does my
little one think any place would be
more beautiful than her little cot
tage home"
8No. mamma, it's not that; but
7 would like to see the great waves
dashing up, up, oh, higher than the
house. and all wearing white night
caps"
"Perhaps | am selfish to keep you
ALWAYS here, but you will ind thS
sea cruel and cold. Have you tor
gotten, my darling, that it was the
sea that took your father from us Z
ono, no, mamma, have not tor
gotten. | could not love the sea
but do you know what my piano
shell sings to me =
what is II" asked the mother
with a smile.
ut sings of hope, and it says
Some day, Clare, some day, the Sc
will bring your papa home.
Eyes, Clare, one day the sea WI
give up it's dead, to meet the love
ones in the great beyond"
please, mamma, do not look
sad; | will never again ask to go,
it hurts you so.
Glare, we will go. Your wore
have made me long to see the waite
that hold the form of my believe
Uncle Ben and Aunt Nancy will ia
care of our little home and we w
spend few days down by the sea
Clare clapped her hands for ]
and went dancing off to tell
dolles, the chickens, the COW a
Aunt Nancy and Uncle Ben that
last she was really, truly, goi
down where piano shells grew. III
she Rugged and kissed the piano 81
and promised to take it with h
A week later found Clare play
on the sands watching the waves
they crept up towards her like gr
green serpents. She gathered sh
and sea moss to her hearts conte
her mother, always near, enjoy
what pleased her idol.
One day the clouds lowered hea
and the huge waves doomed
cannon against the rocks. 1t G
darker, and darker, till only
gray light lay upon the shores.
at once above the noise of the st
the signal of a ship in distress
heard, and the people, wrap
themselves in storm cloaks and
ing supply Of medicine with t
FASTENED to the shore.
Come, Clare, for papa's sake
will go to them" Clare was b
little girl and clinging close t.
mother she walked to the shore
Some of the sailors had air
been rescued when Mrs. H,
reached the scene. "The brig is
strange place" said an old ma
side her. There's fellow
needs bit o. care. They are /
ing him here. Have you 81
brandy He's unconscious, bu
soon be all right"
Mrs Hubert and Clare bent