Year: 1876

A Trip by Railroad.


Little Charlie WAS out playing by the
sea shore one day, and, becoming rather
tired of building houses in the sand. sat
down on great rock. While he was
watching the waves come in, one 10y
one. he thought. as he very often did
of the wonderful things beneath the sea.
and wished he could see them. When
he was quite young his mother read to
him of railroad which was to be built
under the ocean. The fact made Il
great impression upon his mind, and he
often wished the road was completed,
so he could ride urou it and see the
wonders of the mighty deep.


While he was gazing over the ocean
he SAW something very curious coming
to him on the top of Il great wave. At
first he thought it was boat with Il
man III it but when it came nearer he
saw an odd little man riding in Il great
shell. Sailing over the surf, he landed
on the sand just at Charles feet, and
looking at him intently for Il moment
said. "Are You the little boy who WAS
Just wishing that the railroad under the
sea WAS built. So he could ride upon it
Our Queen sent me up here to guide
some one whom | should find upon the
shore down to our palaces, and all about
under the SEA. and | think you must be
| the one she indicated. Follow me, and
| will lead You to the starting place"
Charlie followed him in establishment
rather doubtiug whether he ought to 90
with this strange man, but still willing
t" ii" almost anything if he could real
izc his greatest desire. They went
down into Il cave near by, and going
into the darkest corner. Charlic's com
panion pHShcd open il secret door. and
led the way into Il large room cut out
III the rock.


There they both waited in silence toI
moment, until they heard Il tiny bell
and then the old man said to Charlie
You may come with me, if you vii
comply with one condition, and that l,
that you must promise never to tell any
one of the things YOU may see to-day
YOU must keep your knowledge entirely
to Yourself" Charlie made the promise
required, and then he was led to ii train
of cars near by. They were much like
ours, only they were rather smaller, and
were not covered.


A few moments after they got Oh tt
the train, it started, and moving very
rapidly, carried them along beneath the
water. Charlie at first could not set
why the water did not touch them but
as he put his hand over the side of the
car he touched something like glass that
protected them. and kept the water
from them. and yet they could set
through it perfectly. As they proceeded
there was Il great variety of objects t'
absorb their interest. On one side wa'
Il crowd of little fishes playing in the
water, and chasing each other about
having grand frolic; Oh the other
was IA great whale trying to escape he
ing captured by some fishermen pursu'
ing it.


All this time they were rapidly de
scending. and very soon they began t.
see reefs of beautiful coral, of most del
icate shades and tints, and exquisitell
formed into wonderful buildings. One
in particular was especially beautiful
II WAS made of very delicate pink coral
and had doors and trimmings of mothe
ofpearl. and there were beautiful mosse
growing all about it. ''What is this 7
asked Charlie. '.it certuinly must be
long to your Queen, if, as l think yo'
said. YOU are under a Qeeen." Yes,
replied the old man, this Is the palace
of our Queen, and here we are called
every day to receive her commands an'
then we are sent forth to execute then
sometimes up to the earth, as wa