The St. Johns herald., 1900-01-06
MANS KINDERGARTEN
667F ever I was thankful I am
 this minute" said Nan Gray,

! E I
 this minute" said Nan Gray,
 as she threw herself in an easy chair on the piazza. Tt did seem as if school would never end, but ev- erything has an end if you can only wait for 1t, and this blessed day winds 1 up the term. and now for good sum- mer's rest from teaching the young . idea and all its attendant afflictions."
 "Well, dear, are you tired" said her mother as she entered.
 Tired to death. and I believe I al- most wish might not see a child again until September. Don't, please, don't ] take any children to board at the cot tage this summer, ma."
 Why, Nan Gray, I always thought you loved children"
 "So do, mamma, but after one has eaten a pound of chocolates she doesn't care for any more immediately, does she2 Don't you understand"
 "Yes, Nan. see. We will announce No children need apply so don't worry"
 The next morning Nan and George, with their mother, started for their house at the beach. where they were to take few boarders. On the steamer sitting near them was a young man with three children and a nurse maid. The youngest child was about year old, bright, pretty little thing. The other two were boys. perhaps 3 and 5 oII ming ways
 Man," said George, Ego and ask him if he doesn't want a nice boarding place for the summer That's just what you've been looking for in the way of boarders, you know"
 Nan flashed a look at her brother, then turned her eyes to the broad ex- panse of sea, but in spite of herself her thoughts would come back to the group near by. "I wonder where they are going. Where's the mammal Per haps she's dead. He does look sad and serious. How lovingly he holds the little boyP' But 1t was nearly time for our travellers to land, and they be- gan to pick up their bundles and bags.
 Look, Nan, they land here, too. I'll bet cookie they are coming in answer to that 'ad' for few boarders you put n the paper. Jolly! wouldn't 1t be a
 Ike on you, though, sis?" And George chuckled heartily.
 Dear me, ought to have added No children but I foi got. Do you SUD- pose they can be coming to our house, maY
 "Time will tell, Man," said her moth CT, smiling. They walked briskly on and reached their house a few minutes In advance of the kindergarten par ty," as Mans brother called it.
 Looking around, they observed the gentleman evidently inquiring the way somewhere. He had stopped the local fish merchant, and from all appear ances was being directed to the Gray cottage. In a moment came a ring at the door, to which George responded. Docs Mrs. Gray live here?" inquired the stranger, who was leading the lit tie boy of 8 or 4. Closely following was another boy two or three years old CT, and the nurse with the baby girl on her arms.
 George, though intensely amused at | Mans predicament, invited the party | in very politely, and spoke to his mother.
 Nan, who had dropped into chair in the further part of the room, sat gaz- ing out of the window into the orchard. | She heard the gentleman introduce | himself as Mir. Bailey and tell her | mother that he had seen the advertise ment in the paper. His wife died about | a year ago, and since that time his | mother had been with him and looked | after his little ones and directed the | servants. But illness in her own home | had called her there, and for the sum- mer at least she must remain away. | After seeing the lad" yesterday he decided this morning to give the babies sail down the harbor and see if any arrangement for a summer home could be made in case a suitable place was found. The doctor had advised the seashore, and he wanted them near enough the city so he could see them every day. q assure you they are good children, Mrs. Gray, and Nurse Mary will see that they trouble no one. l will pay you we'll if you will let them have home with you for while"
 Motherly Mrs. Gray would have said l ives" immediately to his pleading. but she remembered her promise to Nan. Excusing herself, she beckoned Nan into a side room. ''Well, Nan, you have | heard the plea. what do you say? "'Oh, dear" said Nan. "I don't see how we can say no with those little moth erless things right before us. If had only been little wiser on wording that !