After this wholesome discipline, they sat down to their sewing with renewed interest, and while one read aloud, accomplished wonders of work with their fast flying needles, unconscious of the flight of time.
At length the hour for the bath, with its important and interesting preparations arrived. After decking themselves in the most fantastic costumes, great was the frolic at "the Cradle," as they gambolled in the waters like so many sea-nymphs; but vainly striving to emulate them in the art of swimming.
A nap and the duties of the toilet followed this delightful exhilaration; for they considered a tidy exterior indispensable to their comfort and pleasure, even in their retirment from all social life. At their meals a constant flow of lively conversation, and never ceasing jokes enlivened the hour; while at the same time, a graceful attention to the wants of those around them marked their refinement, and made them the pets of the household. They all seemed to remember the infinite power of good manners, and in their wildest fun never overstepped the bounds of a becoming propriety.
In the afternoon, a little more reading, letters and journal-writing filled up the time, till cooler hours allowed another ramble on the rocks, or a stroll after the sweet wild flowers in the woods around. And famous were the collections of Iceland moss, sea-shells, pebbles and pressed flowers, made by those indefatigable bodies for "the dear ones at home."
Every day brought some new pleasure, and though apart from the throng of gay visitors around them, they were never weary of their simple life; and their happy hearts were a constant offering of gratitude to the Giver of all the fair and glorious things in the world about them. The sunset clouds, the flight of birds, the brilliancy of the sea and sky, the bracing air and the soft moonlight, filled their hearts with good and holy feelings; and without knowing it, they were made better by the beauty of Nature.
The building of a stone cottage near by, was the source of constant interest; and many were the pleasant visits to its various apartments, decorated with all the appliances of wealth and taste. By the aid of a kind gentleman's camera, a perfect drawing of the cottage, and a pretty little bird's eye view of the shore were obtained; but better than all, an original sketch of their humble cot was taken, as a memento of those sunny hours.
Fishing for cod and haddock with the skipper in his dory, sea-sickness notwithstanding, was one of their rare occasions of enjoyment. Then the delightful trip to Nahant, in a sail boat, will long be remembered by those hardy adventurers, one of whom almost pitched the merry crew into the briny deep, as the stout fisherman pushed the little bark homeward against the resisting winds and waves.
But last, though not least in their annals, was the grand "Clam bake," when "all the folks" from far and near, came to have a good time, and eat as much baked fish, boiled lobsters and hot clams as possible. One of the party, carried away by the spirit of the occasion, and imitating the example of those around, forgot the motto of the week and ate too many clams. As a necessary consequence she forfeited a delicious bath; thereby proving that every excess is followed by the loss of some anticipated enjoyment, and worse than all, by an accompanying loss of self-respect.
A TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF A SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHOLAR.
Many were the tears shed at the death of lovely Carry G.; the joy of her parents, the idol of her schoolmates, and the pride of her Teachers. She belonged to the Sunday-school of the First Church in——, and no one was more regular in attendance, or more thorough in the preparation of her lessons. But death, who had been busy in the village, visited the little band of scholars; and one of its choicest flowers was transplanted to a fairer soil.