The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1899-09-23
The Story of the Sea-Urchin.

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Far down on the Maine coast, where
the great ocean roars and dashes it's
waves against the rocks, is a very
curious and interesting home, which
l think you would like to see.
l first saw this home on a lovely
June day, when the sky was blue, with
little clouds floating in it, and the sea
looked like a great sapphire, as it
sparkled in the sunlight.
On this morning of which l am 60
ing to tell you 1 was lying on the
rocks, listening to a lullaby which a
mother wave was singing to her babies.
1t was so soothing that 1 had almost
fallen asleep, when suddenly a queer,
little, sharp voice said: ooh, mother,
the wave has washed me away up
here! Come and take me back!" I
looked all around, expecting to see a
little girl of boy, but not a soul was
in sight. Then, as I turned my head,
l discovered, quite close to me, some
thing very strange indeed. 1t looked
exactly like a chestnut-bur.
Can take you back?" said I, po-
litely. Then there was a terrible COM
motion. All the little spikes on the
bur stuck out ~feelers, which quivered
in a most agitated manner, and it
tried very hard to roll itself away, but
1t could only move a short distance. l
lay quite still, hoping it would get
over its fright. After a few minutes it
Gained down, and presently the little
voice said, II thought you were a log"
"Oh, no." l answered, 81 am not a
log, but I am as safe as one. Can't 1
take you homer"
Il don't believe you can. I live
away out by that rock where the wave
are breaking now, and I think you're
the animal called man that doesn't live
in the water; perhaps you might,
though, when the tide goes further out,
and in the meantime, if you will be
kind enough to set me in that puddle
l will be much obliged. l find the heat
Of the sun very weakening"
The poor little things voice was
quite faint, so 1 made haste to get a
fiat shell which was neal and to put
him into the puddle. The water soon
revived him, and he became quite an
mated. Seeing that he felt better,
I asked him his name.
81 have several" he answered. "but
you will know me best by my name of
Sea Urchin."
How did o get so far from your
home, Sea, Urchin?"
II was looking out of the window to
see my cousin Star Fish go by, and a
big wave swept me up here and left
me. Mother always told me to keen
away from the window, but I wanted
so to look out that I forgot. If l ever
get home again will remember"
AS he said this he made a queer sort
Of a shutting movement toward a
speck in the water and it disappeared
THAT looks as if he might have eaten
it," l thought to myself. So l took a
stick and gently turned him over to
find his mouth.
Here, stop that! Don't you sup
pose l have feelings?" he said, sharp
ly.
81 wanted to see your mouth"
answered. 81 won't hurt you"
What a funny looking mouth it was
In the center, hundreds of little tenta-
cles waved to and fro in the water. and
five sharp teeth led the way into a hole
which looked as if it might swallow
anything. l took the liberty of look.
ing at it closely, n saw the bit oil
fish which l thought it had eaten dis.
appearing rapidly.
IF you don't stop poking in my
stomach" he said, suddenly, I'll have
to sting you, and you won't like it."
"Oh, that's your stomach, is it?
thought it was your mouth"
"Humph! you did! Well, it is an6
1t isn't. 1 think you may carry me
home now. The tide is about out"
I looked around. Sure enough, the
great brown rock was out of water.
took the sea-urchin up on the shell
and when we arrived at the rock
looked about for his home.
at is on the other side," he said;
'and hurry; l don't feel very WE'LL
On the other side 1 went, and there
in a cleft of the rocks, was the home o.
the little sea-urchin.
Thousands of years the sea had beer
making this home, and how beautiful
1t was! First of all, little by little
the water had cut a basin in the rock
round and deep. Then its sides hat
been colored a beautiful, soft tint o
red, and finally, different kinds of sea
weeds had grown up and now waved tt
and fro in the clear green water. A ra.
OF sunlight touched the sides, the.
sparkled like jewels, and away dowl
at the bottom I saw the Sea-Urchil
family, Mr.. and Mrs. Sea-Urchin, ant
all the little Sea-Urchins.
AS I listened / heard a voice saying