Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1905-03-22
RNn HERE canyon opens out {
W half-bowl-like to the sea is t

w nalI-DOWl-l1ke TO the sea Is
.Laguna, tiny place far
from from railroad. There the beach
10 terminated on either hand by rocks,
and on them the wild Pacific rends its
breast; or here lies purring on warm
sand like cat upon hearth.
From hi Toro the stage comes rat
cling through the canyon at dusk, and
deposited Harrison Hatcher and wife
at the largest of those wooden houses
that face the beach. On the porch was
a sign, Rooms for Rent.
They, an eager young couple, en-
tered a large living apartment; and
Mrs. Mdggs sat there knitting. In q
corner, bent over a table, whereupon
were cards, which told the hours Of
high and low tide, sat a very old
man.
Here we are again. cried Jennie
Hatcher. "Just as last year, ready for
another vacation. How is the crop
Of abalones"
She gave Mrs. Miggs an enthusiastic
kiss,
you see," said Hatcher, we're so
glad to get out Of Los Angeles and
the curio store that we want to jump
right into the sea. Well gather abb
alones. The demand for shells is big
at the store"
Plump, placid Mrs. Miggs pointed a
thumb to her pile of abalOne shells
under a window. She had sharks
eggs In a bowl, starf1sh on the wall,
and barnacles and things all over the
house.
&c.," she said, "how many old Mr..
Jones has got for me-"
Old Jones was mumbling in his
beard: "9:43 a. m. December the
third. Lowest In sixty-two years.
Two more days"
Some Of the shells had been ground,
and glowed with the light and color
ing that have made California shells
famous.
IF they are so plentiful" cried Jen-
ME, I'VE can make our vacation ex-
penses out Of abalones. Oh, Mrs.
Miggs, how we have slavedl And poor
Harrison half sickl We are building
up a trade; and In few years, may
be, we shall be out Of debt"
Old Jones here arose and faced Jen-
ME, who was a picture Of optimism
and health. There was a wide smile
on his countenanee, which was hag-
gard and startling.
"Come herew said Jones, and tod
died to a window. The Ratchers
stared where he pointed. His voice
was like the rustllng Of damp papers
"Down that way there amt none"
he swept his hand to the south. His
eye on them dilate6. Don't go that
way. Go up this wayp lie swept his
bony hand to the north.
"Oh, thanksv said Jennie, inclined
to edge away from him. And Hatcher
laughed big bass gratitude at the in
formation.
"How old are you" shouted Hatcher.
"Oh, don't YELL" said Jones. "Nine-
ty-flve. I'll go to bed"
He mumbled, and went up the stairs.
Hig old legs wobbled. He was saying
10 himself: "9:43, December the third
Lowest In sixty-two."
Up he climbed: now his head disap-
peared; now his withered trunk; now
his rickety legs. They heard his foot
falls, soft and strange, along an upper
hall. Old Jones had left a chill be-
hind.
who is that peculiar person." Jen
ME whispered to Mrs. Miggs.
Some old sailor" was the Miggs'
reply. HE came two years ago, and
was always studying the tides, just as
now; and seemed to be watching for
something that didn't occur; and then
OF a sudden he dropped out of sight
A week ago here he was again, tod
ding In"
Next day the winter sun was warm.
Mrs. Hatcher was an inspiring thing in
her bathing suit, running down over
the sand like an antelope, more health
IN her than in three ordinary men. And
into the sea she plunged, shouting, her
jolly, big hollowchested husband after
When they emerged, yonder was old
Jones gazing at them through a win
dow.
HE makes me cold" shuddered Jen-
nile. stopping in laugh.
But Hatcher roared with merriment
Then Jones peculiar head was thrust
lar out over the roof Of Mrs. Mggs
porch, and while the haggard face