III.
The morning on which the famous excursion was to be made dawned as bright and clear as the most exacting boy could have wished, and Johnny and Jimmy were in the best possible spirits.
The boat on which they were to start was to leave the pier at ten o'clock, and as early as six they had concluded the most elaborate of toilets. They were dressed so much that the effort to move about in such a manner as not to destroy their general elegance really cost them no little pain.
Johnny had been up some time before it was light, making such a racket as he moved about the house, bent on getting this thing or that which would add to his general appearance, that Mother Brown had jumped out of bed twice in the greatest alarm, believing burglars were in the house. He had not only made his own toilet, but he had aided Jimmy in his, until both were in such a state of gorgeousness that they almost feared to walk through the streets because of the excitement they might cause.
The night previous Johnny had invested five cents in butter, greatly to the mystification of Jimmy, and when the work of dressing began, he brought it forward triumphantly, bestowing such liberal quantities upon his own head and Jimmy's that each particular hair lay down so flat that the most furious gust of wind could not have disturbed it. It was fully half an hour before Johnny, with the aid of an old shoe-brush, could arrange this portion of the toilet to please him; but it was accomplished at last, and the remainder of the work begun.
During the first week of the summer Jimmy had taken the place, for one day, of a friend who sold papers on the Harlem Railroad, and in order that he might improve his personal appearance somewhat had purchased a paper collar. Of course he had worn it until it was so thoroughly soiled that it would have been difficult to have said what its original color was.
This Johnny used for a pattern, and from a piece of white paper had made two collars, which had the merit of being clean, even if they did not fit as well as they might have done. They were rather high in the back and low in front, with a decided tendency to wrinkle; but those little defects Johnny was certain would not be noticed in the general beauty of the whole.
Jimmy's coat, which he had borrowed from Tom Dowling for this special occasion, had originally been brown, trimmed with fur, and many sizes too large for him. In the years that had passed since it was new it had not grown smaller, but the color had departed from it, and what had once been fur now looked like strips of very poor leather. But Jimmy was perfectly satisfied with it, since it was large enough to enable him to conceal the lack of vest, and short enough to leave fully three inches of his linen trousers exposed to view.
He wore a felt hat with an abundance of brim and a sad deficiency of crown, while his neck-tie was a modest and unassuming one, with alternate red and yellow stripes about an inch wide. With the exception, perhaps, of his coat, it was in his shoes that he took the greatest pride. It is true that there were several holes in them, but he had blackened them and his feet so skillfully that an ordinarily careless glance would have failed to show that they were other than whole.
While Jimmy believed that he looked thoroughly genteel, he freely admitted that Johnny would have carried away the prize for fashionable attire had any been offered. Not because his clothes were any more expensive than were his partner's, but because it might be said they were more seasonable.
Johnny was clothed entirely in brown linen. Mother Brown had on hand a suit belonging to her son, who had inadvertently left it at home when he ran away to sea, and this she sold to Johnny for thirty cents, to be paid in ten weekly installments.
Young Brown must have been very tall, or else his clothes had been made in expectation of his growing very rapidly, for the coat, in its original condition, nearly dragged on the ground when Johnny tried it on. Mrs. Brown had remedied this defect, however, by making a fold about five inches wide across the entire garment, which both the boys thought a great improvement. The trousers had simply been cut off at the bottom, so that they were a good fit so far as length was concerned, and it was very little trouble to fold them in around the waist.
Mrs. Brown, without extra charge, had starched the garments very stiff, so that they would stand out boldly without betraying the fact that the wearer did not occupy all the space in them he might have done had he been about twice as large as he was. When Johnny had the clothes on, with a brilliant green neck-tie to enhance the effect, it must have been a prejudiced party who would not have admitted that it was a striking costume. His shoes were not blackened quite as brilliantly as were his partner's, but the reason for this apparent neglect was that, not having as many holes in them as Jimmy's had, there was no reason for quite so high a polish.
As they had anticipated, they did attract considerable attention as they walked into the City Hall Park, with so much time at their disposal that they were not obliged to hurry in order to keep their engagement. Even the men looked at them with no slight degree of interest, while the boys proved their admiration by greeting them with all kinds of criticism, some less complimentary than others. Some of the boys Johnny spoke with kindly, as if to show that even if he was magnificent, he was not proud; but others he paid no attention to whatever, giving as a reason to Jimmy that when they were dressed as they were he thought that some distinction should be made by them between the reputable newspaper merchants and those whose credit had been impaired by their own misdeeds.
Very many of their acquaintances in business knew about "their girl," and also knew of the accident she had met with, therefore they readily understood by the display of costumes that Katy was to be released from the hospital. Nearly all of them sent some message of congratulation to the black-pin girl that her recovery was complete, and one even offered to loan the boys ten cents, without other security than their word, if they were going to take "their girl" out for a good time.
Jimmy would have accepted this offer eagerly, for their funds were so limited that even the slightest addition would have been welcome; but Johnny prevented him at once by saying to the would-be lender:
"We're much obliged to yer, Jack, and we'll do the same for you some time; but yer see we couldn't think of takin' Katy out on borrowed money, for she wouldn't have as good a time if she knew it."
Then the boys walked directly to the hospital, arriving there some time before eight o'clock, and for more than an hour were they obliged to wait in the street, suffering greatly from the heat and their fear lest they should disarrange their carefully made toilets.
It seemed as if Katy must have been as impatient for the meeting as they were, for just at nine o'clock she came out of the hospital gates, looking pale and worn, but as happy as she ever was in her life. She had on the new dress, and even though it was not made in the latest fashion, nor of the richest materials, the boys were very much surprised by the improvement in her appearance.
"You look like a reg'lar swell!" exclaimed Johnny, approvingly, and then he turned slowly around in front of her, that she might see and admire him.
"I hain't sure but the dress looks jest as well as if it was red," said Jimmy, too much "dressed up" even to rub his chin, and then he too began to revolve for Katy's benefit. For some moments it was truly a mutual admiration society of three members.
Then after they had sufficiently complimented each other, and after Katy had vainly tried to thank the boys for their kindness, Johnny announced the programme for the day, explaining that the excursion was necessary as a means of showing their thankfulness for the recovery of "their girl."
"We're goin' to be reg'lar folks, ain't we?" cried Katy, when, to her great pleasure, the boys led the way to the nearest elevated railroad station, thus giving her the opportunity of having such a ride as she had long desired.
"I guess you'll think so before we get back," replied Johnny, decidedly; and when he paid thirty cents for the ride, thereby diminishing their funds sadly, he looked at Katy in a satisfied way, happy at being able to give her so much pleasure.
At the steamboat pier they mingled with the crowd that would probably spend more money than they, but yet have less enjoyment, and it was as much as Katy could do to see everything around her, so many times did she look at her dress—new and whole.
During the sail Ikey Moses had no reason to complain that the boys did not keep their word in regard to patronizing him, for hardly five minutes went by without their making a purchase of some kind. Katy had pea-nuts, apples, candy, and cakes piled up on the seat in front of her until it seemed certain that if she ate them all she would be obliged to return to the hospital.
When the boys were not gladdening Ikey Moses' heart by buying his wares, they were busily engaged in pointing out to Katy the different points of interest in the harbor, or in telling her of the wonderful things she was to see; and in this way the time passed so rapidly that before it seemed possible they could have been away from the pier ten minutes they were at Coney Island.
Having spent so much of their wealth on the steamer, it was necessary for them to be careful of their money if they expected to get any dinner, and in order that the purchases might be made more judiciously, Jimmy gave his portion of the funds to Johnny, thereby making him responsible for the manner in which the forty remaining cents were spent.
If they did not have quite as much money, they felt of just as much importance as any one on the beach, and they walked along in all the glory of good clothes and a contented mind. They would have enjoyed a swim—at least the boys would—but bathing suits were necessary; and after Johnny had vainly tried to persuade the man at the bath-house that ten cents ought to be enough for the hire of three suits, they concluded that perhaps they ought not waste so much time in the water, when they could be sight-seeing.
Never before had the three been on an excursion "dressed up," and they enjoyed their own condition quite as much as they did that which they saw. Even the dinner was a success, for Johnny bought one plate of chowder, with crackers for three, and on the clean though rather warm sand they sat around the one plate, quite as contented as if they had had all that money could buy.
It was not until the last trip of the boat on which Ikey Moses was employed that they started for home, and then they gave their friend no extra work in waiting upon them, for they had such a trifling sum in the treasury—that is to say, in Johnny's pockets—that they would be able to buy only a small stock of papers the next morning.
But they insisted on introducing Ikey to Katy, and obliged him to hear a detailed account of the manner in which they celebrated the release of "their girl" from the hospital. Katy very obligingly stood up that Master Moses could see her dress from every point of view, and long and loud was the discussion the boys entered into as to what color would have been the most beautiful, for they all condemned Mrs. Spratt's taste in the matter.
It was well that they had not arranged to spend more than one day at the sea-shore, for the costume of the boys was not well calculated to stand much service. As it was, the starch had departed so entirely from Johnny's clothes that they hung limp and in folds around him, while the improvised paper collars were such a wreck that they were discarded before the party reached home.
By some means the secret of where they were going had been discovered by their friends, and when they landed they found as many as twenty waiting to greet Katy, as well as to learn all the particulars of this excursion which had been made in such a fashionable manner, so far as clothes were concerned.
It was not until a late hour that night that Mother Brown's boarders retired, and just before they did go to bed they startled the old lady out of her first sleep and a portion of her senses by giving three rousing cheers for Johnny, Jimmy, and "their girl."
the end.
["JUST LIKE A COMET!"]
BY JOSEPHINE POLLARD.
A little maid, so wondrous wise
In speech, and with observing eyes,
Was wakened at the early morn,
And to an eastern window borne,
That she might see the comet bright,
And nevermore forget the sight.
The shining star was pointed out,
Its head with splendor rayed about,
And then, outspreading like a dress,
Its train of dazzling loveliness,
And all the points that made it far
More beautiful than any star.
The little maiden gazed, and gazed;
At such a wonder much amazed;
And never had she seen before
The morning sky so spangled o'er,
Or fancied that the silver moon
Staid out so late, or rose so soon.
The stars kept winking overhead,
As if they longed to be in bed,
And two bright orbs in mamma's lap
Were closed to finish out their nap,
While still the comet swept the skies,
The marvel of admiring eyes.
Next day within the nursery
The little maiden chanced to be,
When baby was on dress parade,
Its pretty finery well displayed,
As high in nurse's arms 'twas held
With all its frowns and fears dispelled.
Its flaxen head, with aureole bright,
Its lengthy train of dazzling white,
Were noted by the maid so wise,
Who stood, with widely opened eyes,
And said, "It looks"—her speech was slow—
"Just like a comet!" And 'twas so.
"I DO LOVE DOLLY SO MUCH!"
[THE IGUANA.]
BY HELEN S. CONANT.
The iguana is a very large and very ugly-looking lizard, which is found all through the American tropics. It measures fully five feet in length, its body being over two feet, and its long tapering tail nearly three. It is covered with scales, and its usual color is green shaded with brown. Iguanas possess, however, to an extent exceeded only by the chameleon, the power of changing their colors, the brilliant green becoming transformed in an instant, through the influence of fear or anger, into darker hues, or even into black.
The eyes of the iguana are large, as is also its head, while a pouch, serrated in front, depends from the lower jaw. It also has a serrated tuft, like a comb, extending along its back and half the length of its tail. Its legs are long, and its feet are armed with strong claws, which enable it to climb about among the branches of the trees with the greatest rapidity.
One would think that so large a creature would be slow and clumsy in its movements, but no squirrel or small lizard could be lighter and more active than the iguana. It is as much at home in the water as on the land, and can remain under the surface a long time without coming up to breathe. When swimming, it propels itself ahead with marvellous quickness by waving its long tail from side to side, and using its paws very much in the manner that a boy would use his arms.
A singular instance of the power and velocity of the iguana is related by an English traveller. On the bank of a river he came suddenly upon one of these huge lizards lying concealed in the tall grass. Alarmed by the appearance of a man, whom the iguana recognizes as its deadly enemy, the creature sprang into the water; but in place of swimming, so great was the force of its spring that it skimmed across the broad river, scarcely touching the surface with its feet. In two minutes it reached the sand-banks of the opposite shore, and vanished among the bushes.
Although of such immense size, the weight of the iguana is scarcely ten pounds, which fact probably accounts for its extreme lightness of motion.
It is not very pleasant for a person of civilized taste to think of eating a lizard, but the flesh of the iguana is considered a great delicacy. Indians hunt it with bows and arrows, and when brought to market it is sold for a high price. Another method of catching it is to slip a noose around its neck as it sits in fancied security upon the branch of a tree. The country people roast it in hot ashes, and the meat is said to be tender and juicy, and very delicate in flavor. The eggs, too, which are rich and oily, are favorite eating. They are about as large as a dove's eggs, and of a glistening white. The iguana buries them, eighteen or twenty together, in a hole in the sand, and leaves them to be hatched by the sun.
The little ones are left to take care of themselves as best they can. Humboldt, the great traveller and naturalist, found nests of young iguanas which were apparently just hatched. They were not over four inches long, and were very spry little things, and much prettier than later on in their lizard life.
The iguana will never attack an enemy, but when cornered, is a valiant fighter. It will hiss and spit like a cat, and erecting the comb on its back, it will spring at its enemy, dealing powerful blows with its tail, and biting with its sharp teeth. The following story is told by an Australian settler of an encounter between an iguana and a snake: "I saw a heavy fight the other day between a large iguana and a tree-snake about five feet long. They were both going to pay a visit to a ''possum' which lived in a big hole in a tree. Each went up a different side of the tree, and met at the entrance to the hole, and then the row began. The great lizard squealed in a most defiant manner, and the snake was in no way behindhand in hissing. In fact, strong reptile language filled the air for fully ten minutes before the fight commenced; then they went at it. But the iguana was too much for the snake, and killed him in a few minutes, seeming to take no notice of a good many bites, for the snake fought pluckily. The ''possum' profited by this chance to escape to a top limb of the tree, where he sat blinking in the sunlight, till presently a great eagle-hawk came swooping down on him, and was carrying him off, when I put in a word, or rather a charge of shot, and so earned 2s. 6d., that is, head-money."
Iguanas which have been captured have at first acted in a most violent manner, hissing and snapping at everything which approached the cage; but they soon grow accustomed to captivity, and will become so tame as to take lettuce leaves and other food from the hands of the keeper. But confinement is not healthy for these large creatures, and they lie sluggishly in their cages, taking no notice of their surroundings, and doing nothing but eat, until by degrees they shrivel up and die.
THE IGUANA.
THE CRUISE OF THE CANOE CLUB.[1]
BY W. L. ALDEN,
Author of "The Moral Pirates," "The Cruise of the 'Ghost,'" etc., etc.