New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-05
nlLDREN's
FLOTSAN AND JETSAM.
soRROwFULIY LEFT TO NATURES CARE
RY MABEI, AND HAROLD.


BY MABEL AND HAROLD.
Now that the children have come home from
their holiday time many who have been TO the
seashore have brought with them beautiful and
interesting treasures. picked up on the beaches
"FIotsam and Jetsam''-which means anything
drifted UP on the shore by the waves.
But two little homecoming children. a girl and
her brother were sorroUfu. for they had to leave
their Flotsam and Jetsam the seashore. be-
cause they were two big live, white gulls.
They found Flotsam and Jetsam as they called
them on the beach day: they had both been
hurt In their wings by a gunner. They had fallen
into the water and the waves had gently washed
them ashore. where they lny. unable to NY Inc
birds were much frightened when Mabel ana
Harold tried to catch them. and iuttered and
tapped all over the beach. But the children were
tender and careful and carried them gently 10 the
house They built pen for them, where they had
big pan Of salt water brought daily from the
ocean.
They caught fish for Flotsam and Jetsam and
by and by the gus grew we'll and strong again
and became so tame and quiet that they would eat
f.h from out the chdren's hands. Their hurt
wings were altogether healed. and they wanted to
fy beating wildly against the wire netting that
covered their house and yard
Mabel and Harold could not bear 10 think OF
losing their pets but they the eulls were
unhappy in their confined quarters, one sunny
day they lifted the netting and away flew Floisam
and Jetsam. wheeling in great circles over their
heads and then went far out to sea.
The children did not speak until the birds were
out OF sight and then they sat down on the rocks
ard cried A little bit. though Harold said he didn't
cry but he felt just bad as crying.
They sat watching for their pets all that long
afternoon. for they loved them dearly. and thought
they would them again. Toward sunset
the children saw several gus sailing In from the
west Oh could Flotsam and Jetsam be among
them! Yesl Yes, there they were coming back
They came wheeling back and settled down on
their little house waiting to be fed. on, how glad
the children were. and what good supper the
birds got Then they flew away again, but bright
and early next morning they were back for break
fast their appettes-like Mabels and Harold 5
much sharpened by exercise in the fresh air. me
children had busy times catching fish enough to
feed them They every day for their meals.
but at last the children had to go to town, as
school was open. and they must leave dear Elot-
sam and Jctsam to take care Of themselves. Ihey
caught big supply Of fish TO leave for their pets
and Flotsam and Jctsam, thinking II was all for
their breakfast. nearly killed themselves eating so
much but they could not eat them all, Try as
much as they would. goodly supply was leit
for another day. .,
Mabel and Harold thought they could not eaten
FISH for themselves any more and would starVe 10
death But gulls are much too clever for that ara
when Mabel and Harold back next summer
Flotsam and Jetsam will be wheeling about on the
beach waiting for them no doubt