Excerpt
My readers, would you like to go abroad, for just an hour or so, With little friends of different ages? Look at them in these pictured pages— Brothers and sisters you can see,—all children of one family. Their father, too, you here will find, and good Miss Earle, their teacher kind. Three years ago their Mother died, and ever since has Father tried To give his children in the Spring some tour, or treat, or pleasant thing. Said he, last Easter, "I propose, for Nellie, Dennis, Mabel, Rose, A trip abroad—to go with me to Paris and through Normandy." Then all exclaimed, "Oh! glorious!"—"But may not Bertie go with us?—" Said Rose—"We can't leave him at home." Then Father said he too should come. Turn to the Frontispiece and see the children packing busily. The next page shows them in the station at Charing Cross. Their great elation Is written plainly on their faces.—Bell rings—"Time's up—Come, take your places!"* * * * *The "Folkestone Express" sped on like a dream,And there lay the steamer fast getting up steam. Then at the Folkestone harbour, down they go Nellie, Miss Earle, and Bertie too appear, Across the gangway to the boat below; Whilst Dennis, with the rugs, brings up the rear. Mabel and Rose just crossing you can see, May looks behind her with an anxious air, Each holding her new doll most carefully. Lest Father, at the last, should not be there. Our children once on board, all safe and sound, But while the turmoil loud and louder grows, Watch with delight the busy scene around. "I'm glad the wind blows gently," whispers Rose. The noisy steam-pipe blows and blows away,— And as the steamer swiftly leaves the quay, "Now this is just the noise we like," they say. Mabel and Dennis almost dance with glee. CROSSING THE CHANNEL. The sea is calm, and clear the sky—only a few clouds scudding by:The Passengers look bright, and say, "Are we not lucky in the day!"The Mate stands in the wheelhouse there, and turns the wheel with watchful care:Steering to-day is work enough; what must it be when weather's rough?Look at him in his sheltered place—he hasn't got a merry face—'Tis not such fun for him, you know, he goes so often to and fro.Nellie and Father, looking back, glance at the vessel's lengthening track—"How far," says Nellie, "we have come! good-bye, good-bye, dear English home!"Dennis and Rose and Mabel, walking upon the deck, are gaily talking—Says Mabel, "No one must forget to call my new doll 'Antoinette';Travelling in France, 'twould be a shame for her to have an English name."Says Dennis, "Call her what you will, so you be English 'Mabel' still."Says Rose, to Dennis drawing nigher, "I think the wind is getting higher;""If a gale blows, do you suppose, we shall be wrecked?" asks little Rose. While chatting with Dennis, Rose lost all her fear; And the swift Albert Victor came safe to the pier At Boulogne, where they landed, and there was the train In waiting to take up the travellers again....