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A SEASIDE EPISODE.

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A SEASIDE EPISODE. We had formed all sorts of plans for our vacation, but each one, when on the eve of completion, had collapsed. So when my lushaiid introduced his new acquaintance, Mr Townsend, to me, with the information that he could settle all our difficulties, I waa very glad to listen to him. In a dreamy voice he expatiated upon the beauties of Ayer, saying,—» W hen I feel tired and worn with the turmoil of city life, I go down and sit on the batch and meditate, and all my cares vanish like the foam on the crest of the wave. When I return to town I feel like a new being. After listening to much more of this transcendental talk, which, as I am a very practical person, had little weight with me, I ventured to ask if he knew of a nice place in that locality for us, when he came back from the clouds, or more properly speaking, from the beach, and informed me that his sister, an estimable widow, with a son and daughter, had taken a cottage for the sea- son, and would like a few nice people for company. The price of board was not much of an object with her. Seeing that Mark was favourably im- pressed, I made a show of being interested, although secretly distrustful of Mr Town- send. This I told Mark when he had gone. Nonsense, Ellen" he exclaimed. Don't be fanciful." I am not out I don't want to go to Ayer." Why ?" Im sure the place is not what Mr Townsend represents. Now how like a woman that is cried Mark. "■ Well, I don't believe in taking things on trust. Nor I. But if, after investigation, we find things all right, we'll go there, of course. I said no more it would have been use- less to have done so. Mark is the best man in the world, but when he is resolved on a course nothing will turn him from it. The investigation consisted of a corres- pondence conducted by Mr Townsend, by means of which an agreement was made that I and the children were to have comfortable rooms and board with Mrs Russ for twenty- five dollars a week, Mark joining us every Saturday. Grove Cottage was a lovely place, where we could enjoy all the luxuries of the season. When the arrangement was about concluded I said to Mark,— Of curse you have written to close the bargain f Why, no, I haven't Townsend attended to all the details." Oh Now, what do you mean by that. Ellen T' "Nothing—nothing at all. I only thought it customary, in business, for the contract- ing parties to conclude a. bargain at first hand. this is pleasure," growled Mark. I hope it may prove so," I meekly res- ponded. At which, with something almost inaudi- ble, concerning "nagging women,"my wise spouse left the partner of his woes to her reflections. Had I been superstitious, the rain, which fell in torrents as we started on our journey, would have drowned all gaiety. But hope, which "springs eternal in the human breast," was very lively in mine that morning, despitfl ¡ my forebodings. We were soon carried beyond the storm, and as we sped through green fields and sleepy little villages we gave ourselves up to the enjoyment of the lovely scenes before us. Our destination reached, we were soon on our way to Grove Cottage. We found the cot but not the grove—one mirage dispelled. On the veranda stood Mrs Russ, clad in a silk gown which had seen its best days. Advancing with outstretched hand, she spoke in honeyed accents. Doctor Brown, how happy I am to wel- come you and yours to Grtwe Cottage My brother has done me a great favour, I am sure, in sending you to me. And these are your little ones they will soon have bronzed faces and rosy cheeks." Down went my spirits to zero I disliked ¡ both voice and manner. You will want to go to your room first I suppose, to remove the dust of travel, and then dinner will be served," the widow idded. And she led the way through the small parlour and dining-room, and up an old-fashioned stairway to a door, where she left us with a smile. Never shall I forget the feeling I experi- enced as I stepped inside the room. Its dimensions were about 12 by 14 feet, and on either side stood a full sized bedstead, leav- ing an alley way between wide enough for one to pass through. A small dressing-case, washstand, and one chair completed the furniture. Sinking on the bed, I looked aboat me in such dismay that Mark burst out laughing, and asked— What is the matter I" I uttered but one word- Swindled Oh," said he, this can't be the only room we are to have—we arranged for two." H Mamma," cried Harry, "look at the ocean. Sure enough we could catch a glimpse of it, which was a great surprise to me, for I despaired of finding anything attractive con- nected with the place. Let's go down to the beach cried both the children. '1 Let us go home," I said. These are too close quarters for me." "Oh, don't be discouraged," said Mark, feeling his credit as a manager at stake, and evidently afraid of the fateful words, "I told you so 111 go andhaye a talk with Mrs Russ. "Do, by all means," 1 wearily assented, though I doubt "Now. Nell, for Heaven's sake don't growl exclaimed Mark, dashing from the room in an impatient way. I smiled. When a man knows he's in the wrong he always loses his temper. This one soon returned, vwearing rather a long face. There's a mistake," he said. Townsend arranged for only one room. But Mrs Russ will give Harry a cot in the room with a theological student, and take out one of the beds. So you will tind things better than you think." The faint tinkle of a bell called us to din- ner, and we groped our way down the dark and almost perpendicular stairs. At the table v.as one person only—the theological student. After introductions we were as- signed our places, mine being exactly oppo- site the door leading into the kitchen, through which a ùanilsel fresh from the Emerald Isle stalked like a drum-major, bearing a tray which oscillated from side to side, making me tremble for the safety of its contents, which consisted of four plates, each containing a very small piece of roast Hmb. On my right, at the head of the table, sat the widow, smiling as usual. "I hope you will ejoy yourselves while here," s he said. We wÜl try to make everything agreeable. Will you have some bread We make our own. I have had great trouble in finding help, but am glad to say I have secured a coloured woman who is •*bie to cater to anyone's appetite. Oh, Katie, how careless This to the girl, who had lifted the cover from the potato dish, and stood with open mouth and outstretched hand, while the condensed steam trickled down on the widow's gown. You should be more careful." Her honeyed words did not correspond with the look which flashed from her bead- like eyes, and the poor girl stumbled toward the kitchen door, which she left wide open, revealing the daughter of the house bending over the range, but no coloured cook. While intent upon .swallowing everything eatable within his reach, the theologian 3.sked- Are you fond of the sea, Mrs Brown ?" 44 Yes, I answered. Well, then. I'm sure you'il be delighted with Aycr. I bathe twice a day shall you indulge '? Nothing gives one such an appe- tite. I have been here only five days, and have gained ten pounds. Will you pass me some more bread, Mrs Russ ? Really, you ttustn t make it. so tempting." A sickly smile crossed the woman's face as ihe reluctantly held towards him the plate, from which he abstracted the last three slices. A dessert of rice pudding finished jut repa-st fortunately we were none of us large eater: else we should have suffered JWlng to the voracity of the theological ■student. OUt artsnuv>n was spent on the beach. Mid while  h i;rf; !lse !? breakers roll in M.? ? .? ?. ?. ?. '.? ?. 'lilg san d i; .•> •ksivr US !oe l Uw ujs UMt s i>vwur, aU QUI' vexa- tion vanished, and we felt content to bear almost any imposition rather than miss the sight and enjoyment of such grandeur. So we laughed over our late discomfiture, and entered into the children's fun and frolic till the sun warned us it was time to return to Grove Cottage. While partaking of our frugal evening re- past, which consisted of bread, butter, tea, and berries, of which there were only enough to cover the bottom of the aucc plates, the low rumbling of distant thunder was heard, and soon the rain began to fall. As we were leaving the table the landlady said,— Doctor, I would like to speak with you a moment. Mark followed her into the parlour, while the children and I went out upon the piazza. I heard him speaking very decidedly, but could not distinguish his words. As he joined me he said, — Ellen, you were right—and we are in a den of thieves." What do you mean ?" I cried, forgetting to be triumphant in my dismay. Why, I paid Mrs Russ twenty-five dol- lars this afternoon for your board and the children's intending to settle for mine on Monday. Now she asserts that through her brother we agreed to pay her thirty-two." What did you say ?'' I told her she could have her room at once—that I would not be swindled. But here she comes to talk with you, so I'll re- tire. As Mrs Russ approached, despite her simper Wid deprecating manner, I saw that she was determined, and my courage rose to the occasion. I resolved it should be a case of Greek meeting Greek. Your husband is very much excited as well as mistaken," she began. "I am astonished that he should have misunder- stood my terms." I beg your pardon for contraclicting you, but Dr Brown is perfectly right I have heard your brother tell him your price." Ali Robert is so careless!" she re- turned. No doubt he misunderstood me. Now if Doctor Brown had written to me him- self—" She paused. I comprehended the matter perfectly she knew we had no proof to support the assertion. And you dare to say that the price agreed upon was thirty-two dollars ?" I cried. At this every curl seemed to quiver and writhe like Medusa's snakes. Why, how do you expect me to to make my rent and live on any lower price ? I know of one cottage where there are fifteen people in three rooms." Well," I hastily returned, it is useless to prolong this discussion we will at once cancel our engagement with you and look elsewhere for accommodation." I naturally expected her to be dismayed by this announcement, but, instead, there was a look of triumph in her eyes. You will go to-night ?" she said. Hardly, in this weather," I replied, glancing at the lowering clouds. Then of;course you must expect to for- feit the money paid for your accommoda- tion," returned the wily woman, whose whole scheme was thus explained. Well, there was nothing to be done, but to submit to the imposition. We left Grove Cottage the next day. Mark was so crestfal- len at being the victim of such a transparent swindle that I forebore to reproach him. We found'pleasant rooms elsewhere and enjoyed our holiday hugely, despite our unfortunate experience. In course of time we learned that Mrs Russ was well known in Ayer as a swindler, her method of operation being invariably what we had found it to our cost. Having secured money in advance from her boarders, she contrived to rid herself of them in the way already described, and in this manner secured a considerable sum without giving for it any equivalent. One reflection alone gave us comfort the wily widow had evidently found her match in the theological student Since that eventful experience Mark is more careful in his dealings with strangers, and no longer scoffs if I act just like a woman." So the episode had its uses, after all. ■Willi— .11.

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