The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-08-16
The Story OF the sen-Urchin.

Far down on the Maine coast. where
the great ocean roars and dashes its
waves against the rocks, is very
curious and interesting home, which
i 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 II. and the sea
looked like a great sapphire, as 1t
sparkled in the sunlight.
On this morning of which I am 60
ing to tell you l was lying on the
rocks, listening to lullaby which a
mother wave was singing to her babies.
II was so soothing that / had almost
fallen asleep, when suddenly a queer,
little. sharp voice said: "Oh, mother,
the wave has washed me away up
mere! 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 | turned my head,
/ discovered, quite close to me, some
thing very strange indeed. 1t looked
exactly like chestnut-bur.
Can ! take you back?" said I, DO
litely. Then there was q terrible COM
motion. All the little spikes on the
bur stuck out feelers, which quivered
In a most agltated manner, and It
tried very hard to roll itself away. but
1t could only move a short distance.
lay quite still, hoping 1t would get
over its fright. After few minutes II
Gained down, and presently the little
voice said, Il thought you were log"
"Oh, no." ! answered, 81 am not a
log. but / am as safe as one. Can't l
take you homer"
Il don't believe you can. live
away out by that rock where the waves
are breaking now, and 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
! will be much Obliged. nd the heat
OF the sun very weakening"
The poor little things voice was
quite faint, so made haste to get a
fiat she'll 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,
! asked him his name.
Il 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?"
i 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 wanted
so to look out that l forgot. II / ever
get home again will remember"
AS he said this he made a queer sort
of a shufiing movement toward a
speck In the water and 1t disappeared.
That looks as IL he might have eaten
It," thought to myself. So ! 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.
Il wanted to see your mouth" I
answered. Il won't hurt you."
What 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 II 1t might swallow
anything. took the liberty of look
Ing at 1t closely. and saw the bit of
fsh which thought 1t had eaten dis
appearing rapidly.
If you don't stop poklng in my
stomach" he said. suddenly. "Ill have
to sting you, and you won't like it,"
"Oh. that's your stomach. Is it?
thought Il was your mouth"
"Humph! you did! Well. It is and
1t isn't ] 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.
1T Is on the other side" he said;
"and hurry; don't feel very WE'LL"
On the other side went. and there,
In cleft OF the rocks. was the home OF
the little sea-urchin.
Thousands OF years the sea had been