1884.] 
AMERIOAT^ AGRICULTURIST, 
507 
shook his head at the crowd, and declared they 
would never give him up for their cruel sport. 
“ We’ll soon make mince-meat of a little shaver 
like you, and have our prize whether or no,” shout¬ 
ed one larger lad, starting to climb in at the window, 
while the crowd prepared to follow their leader, 
and it might have gone hard with the brave little 
pair, as well as the poor animal, if a tall man, fol¬ 
lowed by a black French poodle, had not suddenly 
appeared upon the scene, ordered the ruffians to 
desist, and knocked loudly at the cottage door. 
Leaving the monkey in Benny’s arms, Dolly, still 
pale and trembling, hastened to open it, and was 
reassured by the kindly smile of the new comer, 
who said, “1 bear you have saved some of my 
property for me, and I have come to take the runa- 
jokes, that the children were in continual peals of 
laughter, while the crowd witliout pressed against 
tlie window to catcha glimpse of Benny’s circus.” 
“I never saw anything so cunning in my life,” 
gasped the boy, as exhausted with laughing he lay 
back in his arm-chair; and Mr. Merryman rose to de¬ 
part, saying: “ Well, you must both come up to the 
tent this afternoon, and see Jocko and Phil in their 
other tricks.”—“ We can’t,” said Dolly sadly, “for 
our mother cannot spare the money. Then turn¬ 
ing aside, Mr. Merryman took from his pocket 
two blue tickets and handed them to Dolly, saying: 
“ Those will admit you both, and may perhaps be a 
slight reward for saving Jocko from his persecutors, 
I will see that you have seats reserved for you di¬ 
rectly in front,” and before they could utter their 
home, Mr. Merryman came to shake hands and bid 
them good bye. He smiled at their rapturous de¬ 
light and shower of thanks, and said : “ I am glad 
you have enjoyed it; and always remember to take 
the part of the weak as you have done to-day. Kind¬ 
ness to either manor beast brings its own reward.” 
Boating and Canoeing as Recreations. 
Sea-cide resorts, such as Coney Island and Rock- 
away, are not the only places to which New York¬ 
ers betake themselves for a few hours of fresh air 
and cool breezes. There are at the commencement 
of Long Island Sound several charming retreats 
where, to the beauty of the quiet water scene, is ad- 
OAK POINT DURING THE BOATING 
Engraved for the American Agriculturist. 
way home.”—“Please walk in, sir,” said Dolly, 
dropping a quaint old-fashioned courtesy, and she 
conducted him to the neat little room where Benny 
was keeping guard over the miniature gentleman, 
who was chattering like a dozen magpies, although 
his pursuers had beaten a hasty retreat. 
“ Well, master Jocko!” exclaimed the visitor, 
as the monkey sprang joyfully to meet him. “ So 
you thought of taking French leave, did you ! and 
would likely have been killed, had it not been for 
this kind little lady and gentleman!”—“Oh! 
please let him stay a little while longer,” pleaded 
Benny, and Dolly’s beseeching eyes said the same. 
“ Perhaps you would like to see him ride,” said 
the man, and to the unbounded delight of the chil¬ 
dren ; he called up Phil, the French poodle; in¬ 
stantly Jocko leaped on his back, and round and 
round the small apartment they went on a lively 
gallop, the monkey holding on by the dog’s curly 
hair, and seeming to enjoy it as much as the spec- I 
tators. Then Phil went through some of his ac¬ 
complishments, such as jumping over a cane, 
standing on his head, and performing a “ Highland 
Fling,” with the utmost gravity and sedateness, 
while his master, who proved to be no other than 
Mr, Merrym.an himself, told such funny stories and 
thanks, he had shouldered the monkey, whistled 
to Phil, nodded a gay “good bye,” and was walk¬ 
ing rapidly up the road. Mr. Merryman W'as better 
than his word, for he sent the prettiest little car¬ 
riage, drawn by two tiny Shetland ponies, no larger 
than Newfoundland dogs, to convey Benny to the 
grounds ; and of course Dolly rode with him in 
grand state, tlie envy of all the girls and boys in 
the village, who trooped merrily after the dainty 
equipage. Benny’s face was a picture, and Dolly 
nestled with delight among the soft cushions. And 
once within the magic tent, what a wonderful after¬ 
noon they passed; even the molasses lemonade, 
and odor of sawdust and orange peel seeming de¬ 
lightful, for it was a glimpse into a new world, and 
fortunately they could not see behind the scenes. 
How they admired the beautiful horses in their gay 
trappings ! how they held their breatti during the 
daring feats on the trapeze ! and how loudly they ap¬ 
plauded when Phil and Jocko came dashing into 
the ring. Oh ! it was a red letter day indeed in the 
sombre lives of these poor little ones, who had so 
few of the pleasures of childhood; and one they 
will live over and over again in time to come. And 
when at length the entertainment was at r.n end, 
and the little chariot stood waiting to take tlicm 
SEASON. 
ded that of trees, shrubs, and grass. We here re¬ 
produce from drawings furnished us by the Park 
..Commissioners, a spirited engraving of one of 
these favorite resorts, viz.: Oak Point, as seen by 
one of our editors in his frequent drives about the 
country in search of information for the Ameri¬ 
can Agriculturist. One visiting this point on any 
day in summer, wiil And book-keepers and sales¬ 
men in their four-oared shells, engaged in friendly 
contests. Others in frail-looking craft ply tlie 
paddle in canoe races. All find in broad chests, 
strong arms, and a healthful glow of faces, that an 
occasional holiday at the oar and paddle overcomes 
the ill effects of confinement to the desk and sales¬ 
rooms. Besides this, friends of both sexes are in¬ 
terested in amateur boating and the holidays have 
their social features. There is probably no more 
complete exercise to call into play the muscles of 
the whole body, than to tug at the “ashen sail.” 
. It is a form of e.xercise in which young people in 
the country may engage more frequently than they 
do. Boat clubs in rural neighborhoods will not only 
benefit active members, but their meetings will 
form occasions for the gathering of their young 
friends, and add to the social opportunities of 
which there are none too many in our rural life. 
