This was a happy suggestion, and immediately the race was arranged. The girls who did not care to row were to act as umpires; and a grand stand was selected, which was nothing more nor less than a massive irregular rock over which a tangle of vines ran luxuriously, and for canopy there was a wide-branched locust-tree.
There would be three races—one between the girls, another between the boys, and the third between the girls and boys together, and they were to be given in the order indicated. Two willow-trees which conspicuously over-hung the water, and so could not be mistaken, were selected as the points that would start and end the race, the prow of the boat being even with the centre of the tree-trunk at starting, and the stern of the boat being even with the centre of the tree-trunk on closing. Only one person would be in a boat at a time, and no person could have a second chance. As the water was too narrow to allow for all the boys or all the girls to try at once, it was decided that two boats only should row, and then two more, and so on. After the race was over, the victors would be obliged to row again, two and two, as at the first, and so determine the winners. When the winning girl and the winning boy were known, they would race together, and thus the champion rower would be discovered. Whoever was champion was to be rewarded with a wreath of laurel, after the fashion of the great Roman victors; laurel was not very plentiful in this section, but the boys were confident that by a run of a mile or so they could find some, and if they couldn't they would use oak leaves, and tell the hero they were meant for laurel. In any case, the wreath must be made and at the grand stand before the race opened; at this stand, also, the coronation would take place.
Providing for the race led to the gathering of numberless flowers, with which the boats were decorated, and later, as they sped over the water, they seemed a part of a great picture—over and around them air and clouds, exquisite colorings of matchless reds, yellows, violets, pinks, and greens, soft reflections of the same in the water and the distance, and, added to all, the ambition of the rowers and the contending emotions of those who watched the pretty play. One boat was very simply trimmed. It was carpeted with mosses and wreathed around with fern leaves; another was so daintily decorated it seemed as if it was a fairy boat; and yet another style was richly and gayly covered, as though it was at the disposal of a grandly beautiful queen, and almost, unconsciously we turned to look if Cleopatra was near. This boat was canopied with apple blossoms; the branches were held in place between the narrow strip of wood that forms the border of the lining and the boat herself. But this boat was not among the winners; it was top-heavy, and therefore too difficult to steer and row. The shades of night were indeed fast falling when the M. S. D's reached home again. The sunburnt faces, joyous laughter, and light-hearted confusion of voices told their own story.
[DOROTHY'S PROBLEM.]
I've only a single quarter left
Of all my allowance, that looked so large
On last pay-day, when dear mamma
Said, "Now, you must neither borrow nor 'charge,'
But keep out of debt, and never forget
That dollars are made of single cents."
I'm sure I've tried, but it's very hard
To keep to the rule of your good intents.
There were creams and bonbons the other day,
And a box of paper, and, let me see,
A bunch of the dearest violets
Tucked into my jacket flap. Ah! me,
They faded and died, and I almost cried;
It seemed a shame with my funds so low;
But the wonderful thing is, do your best
To save, and still your money will go!
And where will my Christmas gifts come in?
Pray, what can I buy with this little bit
For papa and mamma and Fred and Nell?
Of course, I ought to have thought of it
A month ago, but I didn't, you know.
And here is my purse so flat and thin;
I'm just as discouraged as I can be,
For where will my Christmas gifts come in?
M. E. S.