The morning times., 1896-04-19
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GO Mermaid.
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copyrighted. 1896, 10y John ]. A Beckett
There may be some difference between
happiness and content, but they who are
pontented will never bother 10 find ii Out.
To heartily ENJOY the good things pos
pessed and 10 give little thought 10 those
which are lacking. is TO be happy. Hence
II was that one OF the happic>t families
In the world dwelt on the bleak coast of
Labrador. in the honely depths of the chilly
sea, while above their world or green water
lowered cold, forbidding day.
It was a family OF merfolk. IA ther, mother
and child. This little mermaiden was three
years old and as beautiful as anything in
the world OF waters. Despite her youthful
ness she was most companiOEable 10 her
parents for The merfolk do not develop very
Tar but Attain their perfection very quick
ly.
At the Roots of a beetling cliff on that
gaunt Labrador coast is Il cave. round ard
smooth where the action OF the sea for
centuries has followed out the hard rock.
This was the merman's home. a nest OF
love that sweetened the cold brine.
One would not imagine tins small family
could have been even Comforta bic, let
alone contented or happy. in that ice-cold
sea. But there are Arctic merpeople. just
5looded, healthy vigor OF this good trio
The icy water with It's sting was only eX-
hilarating and homelike.
But The norman and his wife were hap
pier than ever when their tiny daughter
came to light up the crystal green OF the
cave like luminous blossom. She was
daintier and more beautiful than any Of the
sea anemOnes that grew about the entrance.
They named her after the country, Labra-
dora They wi Shn
ing twinges OF delight. Ii was such a
poyelty to them. In a very short time
Labradora could guide herself quite
stra ght with the justest movement OF
her fin, and with natural grace and swift
ness that filled the parents with honest
pride.
Mamma she said one day, as she
Elided swiftly up 10 her parents, Il saw
such a strange sight this morning. a great,
white mountain drifting in the sea, shining
and with green tints in ii, just like home
here. What was it, mammal
Her parents laughed SO merrily that two
showers OF air-bubbles, like tiny silver
glObules, went racing TO the top OF the
water.
That was an iceberg, Labradora," >" said
the norman. This is the time of year
when they floatsouthward. But you mustn't
play with them, little one, because if you
get settled on one you VIII likely he borne
slowly along, and before you know ii YOU
may be carried so far that you can't find
your way back to the cave gain. So you
won't go near them, without your mother or
ME, viii you?'
mo. papa" replied Labradora. She was
too sweet and devoted u child to have the
smallest aspiration toward diSobedience,
which is one Of the first temptations that
come to human young. But. papa" she
added with pensive wi-,fulness, Il would
like to ride on something that moved along
This childish remark took effect ON her
fathers mind.
Thus one morning papa merman came
came padding into the cave with d large.
bulky creature. not amazingly pretty, but
very gentle, and despite its ma gnitude, SEEM
Ing so young and helpless.
His Wife raised herself on her elbow
and spread her fin out flat in astonisb-
ment. while little Labradora stood on the
v"rv tao end of hers, She was that in
terested.
Wherever did you get the little whalei''
exclaimed mother mermaid.
''Ob, is it q wBale?'' screamed Labra-
dora, in her childish delight She SWAN
swiftly over and Circled above and be-
low and before and behind the little whale,
who was very much embarrassed and per-
picked.
why. this is for our little girl to ride
said the proud and happy father. He is
very young now, but in short time he will
be great goer. Even now. though he is a
mere baby, he will no more feel Labradora's
weight than a rock does a periwinkle. In
fact, he is not yet weaned, and lie will have
TO get some motber-whale to suckle him.
Heis an orphan. Labradora, = lie said, turn
ing to the mermaidcn. who was listening
with acutest interest. land you must be
very good to him. He was at his mothers
breast when one of those terrible things