840 
THE LADIES' FLORAL CABINET 
‘•Where’s the tent? Let me in quick, I’m drenched 
through! ” 
“You’re welcome to the tent,” replied Aristarchus; 
“ it is not of any particular use to us at present.” 
“Why! Where is it?’’ questioned Furguson who 
now stood beside us. 
"Don't ask me. ask the little fishes in the lake; it 
went off like a witch on a broomstick,” replied Aristar¬ 
chus, who was busy wrapping the blankets about me as 
I sat shivering on our bed of boughs. The rain was 
pouring upon us in torrents, and the thunder rolled 
almost continuously, while the lightning came in vivid 
flashes every few seconds, showing the usually smooth 
waters of tlie lake lashed into angry waves. 
"Pity we couldn’t have had a part of this last night 
when our camp was burning,” remarked Furguson. 
" If this keeps on long we shall have to swim for it,' - 
replied Aristarchus, for the water was now sweeping 
down from the woods behind us in large streams and 
was already over our feet. 
“ This is about as wild as that night on the Lower 
Saranac: but I'm thankful we are on land this time,” 
said Furguson. who could not swim. 
At that moment the water came with such increased 
force that the boughs were swept from under me. leav¬ 
ing me stranded in the water while they were borne 
against Aristarchus' feet so suddenly as to throw him 
off his balance. Before he had picked himself up we 
heard Furguson yelling, “Help ! help ! I'm in the lake. 
I shal l drown ! ” and then a flash of lightning revealed 
him kicking and splashing in a little ditch of water ! 
“Drown away!” shouted Aristarchus, “I'm taking 
care of Cordelia,” and he grabbed me by one foot just as 
I had succeeding in raising myself to a sitting posture 
and, laboring under the pleasing delusion that he was 
dragging me out of the water, pulled until he tipped me 
over with my head against a big stone. I demanded to 
be let alone, as I could dispense with such delicate 
attentions, and I righted myself, with an aching head 
added to my sorrows. 
By this time Furguson had emerged from his “ lake ’’ 
and reminded us that there was a clump of spruce 
bushes not far from where our camp-fire had been under 
which we might seek shelter. Aided by the lightning, 
we found our way there and crept under the bushes. 
The storm did not last much longer, but we were thor¬ 
oughly drenched and could only shiver and endure it as 
best we might till morning. Aristarchus was terribly 
anxious about me, but I cheerfully declared that it was 
nothing but fun. the rarest and richest of fun. But my 
teeth chattered as I said it, and my throat smarted, .and 
my limbs ached; but I would not surrender yet! Morn¬ 
ing dawned at last, and Furguson and Aristarchus 
endeavored to start a fire but everything was wet, and 
it 3 eemed impossible to find anything that would burn, 
but at last, in some sheltered nook, they found a few 
sticks that were not wet through, and after awhile a 
damp, sizzling fire rewarded their efforts. 
“Come, Cordelia, we will soon have you warmed and 
dried,” called my husband, who was on his knees, with 
This learned I, from the shadow of a tree, 
That to and fro did sway upon the wall, 
Our shadow selves, our influences- may fall, 
Where we can never be. —[A. E. Hamilton. 
cheeks distended, blowing the feeble flames to make 
them brighter. I attempted to obey, but fainted and 
fell to the ground before I could reach the fire; and 
what did Furguson do but rush for a pail of water 
which he would have poured over me had not Aristar¬ 
chus struck it aside, exclaiming, 
“Good heavens! don't give her any more water! ” 
We had left our medicines at Bartlett’s, but Furguson 
had a small flask of brandy with which Aristarchus 
succeeded in reviving me. Then lie carried mo to the 
fire and rubbed me and did his best to get me warmed 
and dried. I could not taste the venison they broiled or 
even drink the coffee, but still 1 smiled on them and in¬ 
sisted that I was all right. After breakfast the two 
men withdrew, and after a whispered consultation an¬ 
nounced to me their decision to break camp and start 
for Bartlett's without waiting for Dickson to return. 
“It might be interesting to know how you intend to 
cross the lake." I remarked sarcastically. 
They had forgotten that one boat went back the day- 
after our arrival, and that Dickson had the other. I 
furthermore insisted that as Dickson would bring with 
him our forgotten medicines, I should be able to cure 
my slight cold, and should, by no means, consent to re¬ 
turn. I was really frightened lest they should take me 
at my word, but Aristarchus declared I looked like a 
ghost, and if I were not speedily cared for would soon 
be one. Towards noon Dickson arrived, and found the 
two men all ready to embark, while I was protesting 
that I had not had half enough of camp life. Dickson 
brought a letter which he found awaiting me at Bart¬ 
lett's. It read as follows: 
__ Uncle Thad's Farm, July-. 
Dear Mamma: —Uncle Thad's old horse stepped on 
Leander, and he lies on the lounge. lie groans a good 
deal. It was a lucky thing for me, for I can wear his 
hat now. My shade hat dropped into the pig-pen and 
got chewed up, and I had to wear my Sunday hat fish¬ 
ing. and it went into the river and sailed off with the 
feather sticking up straight! It did look so funny! 
I’ve torn all my dresses, and Aunt Luthera says I shall 
have to stay in bed to-morrow while she washes and 
mends something for me to wear. 
Yesterday I had to take some ipecac and mustard 
and water, and blue pills, and lots of stuff, just because 
I ate a little piece of bread and butter that had rat 
medicine on it; I found it in the pantry. Aunt Luthera 
says she shall have conniptions if you don’t come home 
pretty soon. I’m being a real good girl, just as I prom¬ 
ised to. Miranda Dorothea. 
Then I gave up! I begged Aristarchus to take me 
back to my children. We set out immediately. I 
crossed the carry in the hammock, which was carried by 
my husband and Furguson. I knew very little about 
the journey. When we reached Bartlett’s, kind, 
motherly Mrs. Bartlett put me to bed herself and took 
care of me. She succeeded in breaking up the fever 
with which I was threatened, and in two days more we 
were able to start for Vermont. 
We found the children alive but looking like battered 
soldiers, and very much dilapidated as to clothing. 
And I always insisted that I came home on account of 
the children! Mrs. Susie A. Bisbee. 
What is hope? A smiling rainbow 
Children follow through the wet; 
’Tis not here, still yonder, yonder— 
Never urchin found it yet. —[Carlyle. 
