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AN EARLY START

Grandpa’s Little Girls’ House-Boat Party

ALICE TURNER £URTIS

AUTHOR OF

“GRANDPA’S LITTLE GIRLS”

GRANDPA’S LITTLE GIRLS AT SCHOOL * GRANDPA’S LITTLE GIRLS AND THEIR FRIENDS”

COPYRIGHT 1910 BY THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY

Introduction

Constance and Eunice Newman were fortunate in having a grandfather who believed that good times were good for children. “ In Grandpa’s Little Girls ” was told the delightful story of a summer on his farm in Maine, where they became acquainted with the Woody ears and Miss Abitha Bean, who was even better than a grandfather in inventing things to do.

“ Grandpa’s Little Girls at School ” was the story of how the Newman girls dreaded to go to school, but found that Miss Wilson’s was nothing to be afraid of. In fact they had at school some of their best times, and met there the good friends who in “ Grandpa’s Little Girls and Their Friends ” helped Constance to learn some valuable lessons not taught in the school books. Among those with whom they became acquainted at Miss Wilson’s were Kose Mason, Myrtle Green, Elinor Perry and the Glidden twins, without whom this present story of a delightful vacation would have been incomplete.

The Top of the Mountain

XXIII. The End of the Journey

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Illustrations

An Early Start .

There Was No Time to Lose They Advanced, Indian File “ I Knew I Couldn’t Be Lost ’

Frontispiece ^

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76^

A Happy Silence Fell Upon the Little Party . 178

Grandpa’s Little Girls’ House-Boat Party

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Grandpa’s Little Girls’ House- Boat Party

Chapter I The House-boat

“Yes,” said Miss Abitha smilingly, “I am sure it will do splendidly.”

“ I think it will myself,” responded Mr. Henry Newman. “ What do you suppose Lamb and Constance will think of it ? ”

“We shall know very soon. They ought to be here now,” replied Miss Abitha, and at that moment a loud “ Coo-ee ” was heard farther up the path, and Constance Newman came in sight, closely followed by her friend Rose Mason, while close behind them were Lamb Newman and Myrtle Green.

Constance was the first to reach the bank of the river. “ It’s fine ! ” she exclaimed. “ Look, girls,” she called out, “here is the wonderful house-boat that Mr. Eben Bean and Grandpa Newman made. Isn’t it great ? ”

io Grandpa s Little Girls'

“It looks like a house built on a raft,” declared Lamb, “ only I can see that it’s a scow.”

Mr. Newman laughed. “ Don’t you want to go on board ? ” he asked.

“ Of course we do,” said Constance. “ Why, ever since we got home from school grandpa has been telling us about this wonderful boat. I knew just how it would look weeks ago, even if he didn’t want us to see it until it was finished.”

“ And I know just how long it is : thirty-two feet long,” announced her younger sister, “ and sixteen feet wide. And the roof isn’t a roof, but a promenade deck.”

While Lamb told all these facts about the queerlooking craft which lay close to the bank Miss Abitha had stepped on the broad plank which bridged the space between land and boat and was now standing on the deck of the boat waiting for the others.

Just before the Newman girls returned from Miss Wilson’s school Grandpa Newman had decided that the family would enjoy a change of scene during the summer, and that a trip down the river and perhaps along the coast would be just the thing. When he spoke of it to Miss Abitha she at once declared that he ought to build a house-boat, ancj have a house-boat party.

“ You can find some sort of a scow or flatboat at a bargain in Bath,” she said, “ and you and father can deck it over and build a house on it. Then you can hire a man with a small launch to pull your boat along ; and when you want to stop anywhere you can do so.”

Eunice, who was almost always called Lamb, and Constance Newman had had Miss Abitha Bean for a teacher when they first came to live at their grandfather’s farm, and the little girls sometimes forgot that she was a woman of middle age, she entered so heartily into all their plans and amusements. Her father, Mr. Eben Bean, was employed on the Newmans’ farm ; as was also Jimmie Woody ear, the son of a neighboring family.

Grandpa Newman was delighted at Miss Abitha’s suggestion, and lost no time in going in search of a big flat-bottomed boat on which to build the house which would make it possible for them all to journey down the river as comfortably as if they were on shore. He found the boat without much trouble, and had it towed up the river as near the farm as possible. During May and June he and Mr. Eben Bean, with some assistance from Jimmie Woody ear and young Mr. Newman, had worked busily away on the “Water Witch,” as the girls had named her. Grandpa had told Constance and Eunice that they could invite four of their girl friends to go with them for a month’s cruise. Rose Mason and Myrtle Green and the Glidden twins had been asked. Rose and Myrtle had already arrived, and the Glidden girls had promised to come that night.

The house-boat was all ready for her passengers. It was painted a shining white, a big flag waved from its flag-pole, and it was no wonder that the girls all exclaimed with delight at the prospect of a month’s cruise in such a novel craft. There was a living-room with four large windows and two doors, one of which opened out upon the forward deck, and the other to a passage leading aft where there were two good-sized sleepingrooms fitted with comfortable berths. There was also a square little kitchen and a bath room. The “Water Witch ” was provided with a rudder, and there was a steepish stair leading to her promenade deck.

It did not take the visitors long to find out that everything was just right.

“ There are four berths in each cabin,” said Eunice admiringly, “ and grandpa says the man will sleep on the launch. We’ll have room for everybody.”

“ Not for your grandma and me,” answered her father laughingly. “ Your grandma is a wise lady, and she says she doesn’t believe in house-boats. She says it may rain, and that damp weather is bad for rheuma-

»3 tism. So I shall stay at home with her, and your mother and grandfather will have all the responsibility.”

“ Let me see,” said Miss Abitha, “ how many girls will there be, besides me?”

“ There are four of us,” answered Constance ; “ that is, five with you, Miss Abitha ; and mother makes six, and the Glidden twins are eight; that fills all the berths. Grandpa will have to sleep in the living-room.”

“ I do hope those berths are good and strong,” said Myrtle Green ; “ you know how heavy the twins are.’

“ Oh, they are strong as can be,” Constance assured her. “ Mr. Eben Bean said they were.”

“ What is the man’s name that runs the launch ? ” asked Eunice, as she walked beside her father up the shady wood road which came out near Pine Tree Farm.

“His name is Mr. Penrith,” answered her father, “ Mr. John Penrith ; and not only can he start up his engine and pull you in the direction you want to go, but he can and will step into the pantry and cook your dinner and serve it, and keep the boat clean, and do all that will need to be done.”

“ Oh, girls ! ” exclaimed Eunice waiting until the rest of the party had caught up with her father, “ just hear about this wonderful man who owns the launch ! ” and she repeated all that her father had told her.

44 He must be the man Longfellow wrote about,” said Miss Abitha, “ who 4 learned to labor and to wait.’ ” There was a laugh at this, but Kose Mason declared that she believed him to be the man Mr. Gilbert wrote about, the man who was

u The cook and the captain bold,

And the mate of the 4 Nancy ’ brig,

And the bos’un tight, and the midshipmite And the crew of the captain’s gig.”

“ Well, you’ll all like Mr. Penrith as captain or cook,” said Mr. Newman.

The Glidden twins arrived on the night train and Mrs. Newman sent her household to bed at an early hour that night.

44 Your grandpa wants us to be ready for an early start,” she said as she bade the girls good-night, 44 so don’t keep each other awake talking. You’ll have an entire month together.”

The girls all promised not to say a word after they were in bed, but Lamb’s last sleepy whisper was, 44 Just think of Grandpa Newman having eight berths.”

44 1 wish Mary Woodyear could go,” responded Constance.

Lamb remembered her promise and said no more.

Myrtle had her one whisper to Rose Mason also. “ Wasn’t it lovely of Grandpa Newman to tell Eunice and Constance they could have a house-boat party ? ”

And Rose answered briefly, “Yes.” Rose was the eldest of the group of girls, and was not only a great favorite with her companions but the fathers and mothers loved and trusted her.

“ If neither Abitha nor I could go I would feel safe about them all if Rose Mason was there,” Mrs. Newman had said when the plans for the trip were talked over ; and Grandpa Newman had nodded approvingly.

“ Constance is going to be just as thoughtful and reliable as Rose,” declared Grandmother Newman, “ and Eunice will be, too. We have never indulged the children, and they are good girls, if I did have a hand in their bringing up,” she concluded proudly.

“ I have a mind to ask Dannie Woody ear to go on the trip,” said grandpa. “ Miss Abitha says he is a smart boy and she is helping him with his lessons, and a ten-year-old boy is a good deal of use on a boat. I believe I will step over to the Woody ears and see what they say about it.”

The Woody ears were as pleased as Dannie himself at the idea of such a pleasant trip for their little son. Dannie was not yet ten years old, but he had already decided to be an astronomer when he became a man ; and Miss Abitha Bean had loaned him many interesting books about the stars, and told him something of what he must learn to carry out such a plan.

“ I’ll see lots of stars from the top of that boat,” he declared happily, and he was the first one to arrive at the “ Water Witch ” the next morning. Besides a bundle of clothing he brought his beloved telescope. He was to have a couch in the living-room near Grandpa Newman’s.

Mr. Penrith, or Captain Penrith as they all called him, said it was a good thing to have Dannie along. “ He’ll be a sight of help,” he declared approvingly.

Chapter II Many Adventures

The sun was just showing itself over the big pines when the lines holding the house-boat to the shore were cast off, the little launch gave a shrill whistle, Grandpa Newman took his place at the helm, and the house-boat gently glided out into the stream. There seemed to be birds in every bush along the river banks ; masses of foliage were mirrored in the clear waters near the shore, and the whole party were in the best of spirits.

“ Well, Dannie, what kind of weather represents an animal ? ” questioned Miss Abitha as the house-boat moved steadily along.

Dannie shook his head, and as none of the others could guess Miss Abitha said, “ Why, Rain, dears, of course.”

“ Could I fish ? ” Dannie asked eagerly. “ I brought some hooks and lines and bait.”

Grandpa gave the desired permission and Dannie and Miss Abitha soon had the lines overboard and waited eagerly for a bite.

“ How far shall we go to-day, mother ? ” questioned Constance.

“ I don’t know,” responded Mrs. Newman. “ You see, we move very slowly, not a third as fast as most craft. Probably we will tie up in some pleasant cove about noon and have dinner and perhaps stay all night.”

“ Can we go ashore wherever we stop ? ” asked Constance.

“ Why, yes, I think so,” replied her mother. “ Your grandpa plans for us to see all we can of the country, and when we stop at any towns we will go ashore for our dinners, or for supper if it be toward night.”

“ I hope Penrith knows all about the shoals in this river,” grandpa exclaimed as the house-boat seemed to grate a little. Then came a harsher sound, a straining on the line that held her to the launch, then the towing-line slackened, the “ chug-chug” of the launch ceased, and Mr. Penrith called out : “ Say, I guess we’ve struck a sand-bar.”

“ Oh, girls ! Will we have to stay here all night ? ” exclaimed Adrienne Glidden.

“Of course not,” responded Myrtle. “Why, it’s only nine in the morning. See, Mr. Penrith is putting on another tow-line, and Grandpa Newman is poking with that long pole ; we shall start in no time.”

But it proved to be an hour before the “Water

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Witch ” was clear of the sand and moving steadily on. Just before noon the launch changed its course and headed nearer the shore. “ This is the prettiest place on the river,” declared Mr. Penrith, “ and deep water right up to the bank.”

It did not take long to make the boat fast to convenient trees and the little party all went on shore, leaving Mr. Penrith in the little kitchen. It seemed a most unsettled part of the country. There were no houses in sight ; not even a path led down to the river. There were a great many tall pines near the shore, but very little underbrush.

Grandpa Newman and his daughter said they would stay near the boat, while Miss Abitha and Dannie, followed by the six girls,, decided to walk up from the river a little way.

“ I haven’t wanted to play 4 hide-and-go-seek ’ before since I was a little bit of a girl,” said Myrtle Green, “ but these woods were just made for it.”

44 Let’s play,” said Lamb. 44 1 can find you all, I know I can. Let me be blind man.” So Pose Mason’s silk neck-scarf was bound about Eunice’s eyes and in a few minutes the shady woods resounded with merry calls and warnings as Lamb rushed up to big trees or circled round others. Miss Abitha was the first one caught, and the second game had just begun when the sound of a bell calling them to dinner sent them all running toward the river.

They had reached the boat and Miss Abitha stood at the gangway counting them laughingly as they went on board, and as Dannie ended the procession she exclaimed, “ Why, where’s Lamb ? ”

“ Perhaps she was so well hid she didn’t hear the bell,” suggested Rose. “ I’ll run back and call her.”

“We won’t eat all the dinner,” said Constance, “ but hurry up,” and Rose turned and ran lightly back to the place where she had last seen her little friend.

“ Eunice ! ” she called, and getting no response went on a little farther calling as she went, “Eunice! Eunice ! ” “ She can’t be lost,” Rose said aloud, “ for

any one could find her way back to the boat from here. I believe she’s having a game of ‘ hide-and-go-seek ’ with me.” And that was exactly what Lamb was doing. She had been close behind Dannie when they had all started for the boat, and had jumped behind a big tree as the others scrambled down the bank. Seeing Rose start back in search of her she had run behind another tree ; and then was sometimes ahead and sometimes behind her pursuer, while Rose kept on without an idea that Lamb was so near.

An hour passed and neither Rose nor Lamb had returned to the boat. The others had finished their dinner and Mrs. Newman now declared that she was going in search of the missing girls. 44 I know something is wrong,” she said, 4 4 for Rose Mason would not stay away like this.”

It was decided that Miss Abitha and Dannie should accompany her.

None of the others felt anxious. 44 They’ve found some flowers or berries or something and forgotten all about dinner,” suggested Myrtle as they watched the three starting off among the big trees. They had gone but a short distance into the woods when they all stopped suddenly. 44 Help ! Help ! ” came a distinct call.

44 It’s Lamb ! ” exclaimed Mrs. Newman. 44 It’s Rose ! ” echoed Miss Abitha, and instantly each one of the party hurried in the direction of the sound.

44 Do you suppose Lamb has sprained her ankle ? ” asked Constance as they ran swiftly along. No one answered, and as the second call of 44 Help ” came Mrs. Newman shouted back, 44 We’re coming.”

Dannie was the one to first discover Rose and Eunice. He had run on in advance of the others, and soon saw the girls in the centre of a patch of blossoming shrubs.

He was about to push his way through the thickly growing bushes when Rose called :

“ Go back, Dannie ! These are thorn-bushes, and Eunice and I are held fast by them. We can’t get out.”

In a moment Mrs. Newman and Miss Abitha were beside Dannie, and could see Rose and Eunice very plainly.

“ Lamb ran in here to hide and I came after her, and we are caught so we can hardly move. I don’t see how we can get out,” explained Rose.

“ Oh, dear,” called Lamb, “ my skirts are all torn, and my hand scratched. Do get us out.”

“ Dannie, run back and tell Mr. Penrith to come up here with an axe and a long rope,” said Miss Abitha, and the boy ran swiftly toward the boat.

“ What good will a rope do, Miss Abitha ? ” questioned Rose.

“Perhaps he can lasso those thorn-bushes and pull them down enough for you to get clear,” responded Miss Abitha. “ I read of that being- done to get some people clear of cactus in California.”

“ Was the dinner good ? ” asked Lamb, in so tragic a voice that they all laughed.

It was not long before Mr. Penrith appeared, closely followed by Grandpa Newman. Miss Abitha’s scheme was promptly tried. The taller of the bushes were pulled down out of the girls’ way, and with a few careful strokes of the axe Mr. Penrith cut a passage so that the girls could make their way to smooth ground once more. Their dresses were torn, and as the other girls came running to meet them Constance called out, “ Raggety man, raggety man — hurry along as fast as you can.”

Eunice thought it rather hard that her innocent fun should have brought her and Rose into so much trouble. But no one had any word of blame for her, and Mr. Penrith and Mrs. Newman hurried to prepare a bountiful luncheon for the girls in place of the dinner they had missed.

It was decided that they would remain for the night at their present moorings, and grandpa suggested that it was just the time for Eunice and Miss Abitha to take photographs of the “Water Witch.”

“ But we ought to be out in the middle of the stream to get the right light,” said Miss Abitha.

“We can take Mr. Penrith’s rowboat and go to the middle of the river,” responded Lamb enthusiastically. “ You know I learned to row at school.”

It did not take long for Mr. Penrith to put the small boat in readiness, and Miss Abitha and Eunice were soon rowing toward the point where they would have the best view of the house-boat.

“You must all stand on the roof; no, I mean the promenade deck,” Lamb had directed, as they started off.

Miss Abitha and Eunice Newman had both taken a good many excellent photographs. Some of Miss Abitha’s had been used to illustrate a book on the small animals and plants of the country about Pine Tree Farm, and they were both anxious to get as good a picture of the boat as possible.

“ This is just the right distance,” declared Miss Abitha, after a few strokes. So they drew in their oars and began to adjust their cameras.

Miss Abitha was a very tall woman and it was somewhat difficult for her to move about in the tiny boat, which swayed dangerously at every change of position.

“ If it wasn’t Abitha I should be sure that boat would upset,” said Mrs. Newman laughingly as they all stood in line on the “ roof ” waiting for the picture to be taken.

“No danger when Abitha is in charge,” declared grandpa smilingly, and at that instant there came a scream from Antoinette Glidden, echoed by the other girls, “ The boat’s upset ! They’re overboard ! ”

“ It will be all right,” said Rose Mason quickly.

“ Lamb and Miss Abitha know exactly what to do. Look ! There is Lamb back at the boat now ! And there is Miss Abitha.”

Mr. Penrith was running toward his launch, but grandpa stopped him.

“ No need of it, Penrith,” he said. “ Just watch them. I declare it is worth a good deal to see a woman and a girl show such presence of mind.” For Miss Abitha and Lamb had succeeded in righting the boat, in securing the oars, and were now pulling vigorously toward shore.

They scrambled on board the house-boat dripping and laughing at their adventure, but while the others were congratulating and praising them, Dannie stood by silent and with a very anxious face.

“ What is it, Dannie ? ” questioned Miss Abitha, as she started toward the cabin.

“ Your cameras ! ” said Dannie solemnly.

“ My soul ! ” and Miss Abitha’s face grew as sober as Dannie’s. “ We didn’t think of our cameras, Eunice,” she exclaimed.

“ I did,” replied Lamb, “ but I knew they were spoiled anyway.”

“ And all through my awkwardness,” insisted Miss Abitha.

“ Don’t worry about cameras, Abitha,” interrupted Grandpa Newman. “ I’ll buy you and Lamb each just as good cameras as those you have lost, as soon as we get to Bath. Hurry off now and get into dry clothes.”

CHAPTEB III

A MIDNIGHT VISITOR

Captain Penrith said they could have their supper on shore under the big trees, if they wanted to ; and they all declared it was just what they wanted. Constance and Bose spread the white cloth over the dry pine spills, Mrs. Newman and the Glidden girls helped Mr. Penrith bring out the dishes of appetizing salad and pitchers of cool lemonade, and as they talked over their first day’s happenings the house-boat party all declared that it looked like an adventurous cruise.

“ Let me see,” said Grandpa Newman, “ we have run on to a sand-bar ; two of the party had to be rescued from thorn-bushes ; two more rescued themselves from the river, and here it is only sunset of the first day.”

“ I like to have things happen,” said Lamb happily.

“ Well, as you have started out I should say you would have what you like,” responded her mother.

“ Adrienne, I wish you and Antoinette would sing,” suggested Myrtle, after the supper had been cleared away and they were all watching the beautiful reflection of the sunset skies in the clear water.

The Glidden twins smiled at each other and a moment later their sweet voices sounded through the shadowy woods in the song the girls at Miss Wilson’s school had always liked to sing. When they began the chorus Constance and the other girls joined in :

“ The wood- thrush sings of home and west, —

And so do we.

He sings of the place he loves the best,

And it’s home, sweet home for me.”

Dannie had gone up on the promenade deck and his small telescope was pointed toward the evening star, now showing faintly in the clear sky.

As the girls finished singing Miss Abitha arose and walked with a dignified step toward the centre of the little circle. Making a low bow she began to recite :

u 1 ’Tis merry, ’tis merry, in good greenwood,

Though the birds have stilled their singing.

When the court doth ride by their monarch’s side, With bit and bridle ringing.

u 4 It was between the night and day,

When the Fairy King has power,

And Sprites and Mites do dance about,

Just at the twilight hour.’

By Miss Abitha Bean and Sir Walter Scott,” she concluded with another low bow.

“ And now it is time for us to see how comfortably one can sleep in a house-boat,” said Mrs. Newman, and one by one the little party filed^on board the “Water Witch,” all but Grandpa Newman and Mr. Penrith, and Dannie, who was still star-gazing. Grandpa and Mr. Penrith waited on shore for a little talk about their future plans.

“ I don’t want to make you uneasy, Mr. Newman,” began Mr. Penrith, “ but while the girls were singing I saw a boat in the shadow of the bank just below us. There were several men in it, and what I didn’t like about it was their trying to keep out of sight.”

“ Oh, well, they may be from some camping party near by,” replied grandpa, “ and only wanted to hear the music without intruding. I don’t think there is any need to worry.”

“Well, I’m a light sleeper and they couldn’t get very near us without my hearing them,” replied Mr. Penrith.

Dannie had come down from the “ roof ” and happened to overhear the conversation.

“ My ! I wonder if they could be pirates ? ” he thought to himself, and decided that he, too, would be on the alert that night in case these mysterious men should endeavor to capture the “ Water Witch ” and

3° tow the craft away to unknown seas. He rather wondered how Grandpa Newman could go to sleep so peacefully after Mr. Penrith’s warning ; but it was not very long before Dannie himself was sound asleep. He awoke suddenly. It sounded to him as if a number of soldiers were marching up and down the deck in front of the cabin. Then the noise ceased. Dannie lay staring into the darkness. Grandpa Newman was evidently sound asleep. There was no sound from the smaller cabin.

“ I’ll bet somebody’s trying to get this boat,” decided Dannie, and he slid off his little cot, slipped on his clothing as noiselessly as possible that he might not disturb Mr. Newman, and crept carefully out on deck.

Everything looked calm and peaceful. The stars shone brightly through the summer night. There was a soft fragrance from the pines, and for a moment Dannie thought he must have dreamed of the noise. Then something moved near the gangplank, and Dannie could make out a big, dark object huddled against the railing of the lower deck.

“ I believe it’s two men,” he whispered to himself. “ I wish Mr. Penrith would wake up.” The small launch lay close beside the house-boat, and before Dannie could make up his mind how to let Mr. Penrith know of this intruder, he heard him climbing up the side of the house-boat, and at the same moment the dark object near the rail began to move clumsily and came to its feet with a clattering noise such as had awakened Dannie.

“ Look out, Mr. Penrith,” he called valiantly, “ it’s a bear ! ”

Mr. Penrith swung his lantern around, and the bright light flashed full on their visitor, and he and Dannie exclaimed together : “ It’s a calf ! ” And sure enough, it proved to be a pretty brown calf, that had evidently wandered through the woods and come over the gangplank on to the boat.

Another light now shone out from the cabin door, and Grandpa Newman appeared just in time to see Mr. Penrith and Dannie cautiously persuading the calf, by various pushings, to return to the shore. A moment later Mrs. Newman and Miss Abitha appeared, closely followed by all the girls except Lamb who slept through all the commotion. Their startled faces soon vanished in laughter, and with Miss Abitha’s exclamation that she was sure nothing more could happen until another day, the girls all hurried back to their berths.

Dannie pointed out Orion to Captain Penrith, before returning to his bed, and that brave mariner listened admiringly.

“ You’d learn navigation real easy, I can see that,” he said approvingly. 44 Sailormen always have to lay their course at sea by the stars,” he continued. “ I s’pose you know all about longitude and latitude ? ”