El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-10-14
The Story of the Sea-Urchin.

The Story of the Sea-Urchin.
Far down on the Maine coast, where
the great ocean roars and dashes its
waves against the rocks, is a very
curious and interesting home, which
1 think you would like to see.
1 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 I am 60
ing to tell you 1 was lying on the
rocks, listening to a lula oy 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: "Oh, mother,
the wave has washed me away up
herei Come and take me back"
looked all around, expecting to see a
little girl of boy, but not a soul was
in sight. Then, as 1 turned my head,
I discovered, quite close to me, some
thing very strange indeed. 1t looked
exactly like chestnut-bur.
"Can 1 take you back?" said l, po-
litely. Then there was 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
it could only move a short distance. I
over it's fright After a few minutes it
Gained down, and presently the little
voice said, 'I thought you were a log"
ooh, no." I answered, ct am not a
log, but I am as safe as one. Can't I
take you homer"
81 don't believe you can. I live
away out by that rock where the waves
are breaking now, and 1 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
I will be much obliged. find the heat
of the sun very weakening"
The poor little things voice was
quite faint, so 1 made haste to get
fiat shell which was near and to put
him into the puddle The water soon
revived him, and he became quite an
imated. Seeing that he felt better,
i ASKED Qlu his name.
81 have several" he answered, "but
you will know me best by my name of
Sea Urchin.''
How did you get so far from your
home, Sea Urchin?''
81 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 keep
away from the window, but 1 wanted
SO to look out that forgot. If ever
get home again I 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," I thought to myself. So I took
stick and gently turned him over to
find his mouth.
Here, stop that! Don't you SUD-
pose 1 have feelings?' he said, sharp
ly.
Il wanted to see your mouth" 1
answered. 81 won't hurt you
What funny looking mouth it was!
In the center, hundreds of little tenta-
c1es 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. 1 took the liberty of look
ing at it closely, and saw the bit of
fish which 1 thought it had eaten dis
appearing rapidly.
eff you don't stop poking in my
stomach" he said, suddenly, "Pll have
to sting you, and you won't like it,"
ooh, that's your stomach, is it? II
thought 1t was your mouth
"Humph! you did! Well, it is and
it isn't. I think you may carry me
home now. The tide is about out"
looked around. Sure enough. the
great brown rock was out Of water. I
took the sea-urchin up on the shell.
and when we arrived at the rock
looked about for his home
''It is on the other side" he said;
'and hurry; I don't feel very WELL"
On the other side I went and there,