The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-17

Blissful beyond expression were the three little Leas when they rode atop of Captain Hubbard's load of hay: The hay. had just been cut the day before in the wide salt meadow. The Ieas had reveled in it, and when 1t was piled high on the wagon to be hauled to the barn. they begged to be allowed 2 Captain Hubbard was s"sometimes a fisherman and sometimes a farmer. as Polly had explained to her mother, pus whether on land or sea, he always used nautical expressions. and always was pleasant companion.
 The hay smelt wondrously sweet, with just little tang. of salt about It, ana the Leas sniffed joyously as they. rode.
 Wouldn't it be lovely to sleep in the hay?" said Betty.
 than old beds. I didn't sleep hardly q bit last night. and I dreamed hornd things''
 T do sometimes, too" said Rosemary. bee, and I kept trying to get into flow CTS and I couldn't. Then l thought l fell down out of a cherry tree, and l kept falling and falling, and at last l woke up, and I was so scared-you know how scared was, Polly-you had to call mother"
 ''I had dream once," began Betty, but she was interrupted by the Captaln cheery voice proclaiming Hand ahead, which meant that they were near the barn. They drove right Into the barn ana CapJaln 11uDDaru ana HIS DOJ JOp began to unhitch the horse. All ashore" cried Captain Hubbard. When that was accomplished he held out ms arms for Rosemary; It's SC late that the night,' he explained. and you youngsters must be off to your own berths. Can you find your way back. or shall send Job with your
 ''Oh, we've often been on that road by ourselves protested Polly.
 "All right, then. You've got free course and favorable wind. and you'd
 The little Leas started. but they stopped soon to pick some early golden rod. Then Rosemary discovered that
 My, but wish we could sleep on that load of hay. I'm dreadful sleepy now sighed Betty.
 Eve might" considered Polly.
 Let's" said Rosemary, eagerly.
 The little Leas retraced their steps to the Hubbard barn ,,, The pig ensn door T was g;,s they found a small door on the other side of the barn that they were able to unfasten after a little trouble Already but the hay smelled sweet and they were glad they had come back.
 They found 1t hard, however, to climb Captain Hubbard's help. Polly managed it, but Betty had a hard fall, Then Rosemary had worse one and began 10 cry.
 Don't" Polly admonished her, get ting down to comfort her. If you cry Captain Hubbard will come out and make us go home and sleep In bed.
 T don't care,' sobbed Rosemary.
 But Polly and Betty soothed her and project to climb up in the big hay mow and to sleep there.
 In a few minutes three little nests had been made, and the three little Leas cuddled into them just as snug as any bug ever was in any rug.
 The night air blew up cool and fresh, and 1t felt good to snuggle into the
 fit prickles," said Rosemary, but she said 1t drowsily, and soon she and Polly and Betty were fast asleep; 1T you never slept in hay, you don't know now soundly you can sleep.
 Long after everything had become very, very dark, horse began to kick and neigh and make 8 great fuss. Betty sat up at that and for a minute she wondered where she was. Then she re- membered She was just about to go to sleep again when she heard voices. One of then them ,,s sounded ike her Ifo mothers @ dered what they were doing there. Shak- ing Polly, she whispered, Polly, l be- lieve father and mother are coming to sleep in the hay"
 she, too. heard the voices and sat up.
 'I see lights. and they aren't ire flies" she announced, and I hear Cap tain Hubbard talking. What are they all doing?"
 Let's go and see.
 Cautiously Polly and Betty slid down the hay and tiptoed to the door. Look ing through a crack, they saw MT. Hank and Captain Hubbard with their father and mother. MT. Hank and Captain Hubbard each carried a lantern.
 'I wonder what they're looking for" queried Polly.
 May be mother has lost her diamond ring"
 Polly shook her head. 'Iisten." she said, taking Betty by the arm.
 Why, they're talking about us." Betty whispered back.
 'T saw them set sail down the road I tell you" Captain Hubbard was say Ing, and I can't see why they didn't make port.''
 If they should be drowned" said Mrs. Lea, tearfully.
 ''Nonsense,' replied Mir. Hank. They were not born to be drowned"
 ''They might have wandered off on the reef and been cut off by the tide.' per sisted Mrs. Lea.
 ''No. don't think so." said MT. Lea.