Elsie at Nantucket | Page 9

Martha Finley
or slightly rolling, with now and then some
gentle elevation, or a far-off glimpse of harbor or sea, or a lonely
farmhouse. The wastes were treeless, save for the presence of a few
stunted jack-pines; but these gave out a sweet scent, mingling
pleasantly with the smell of the salt-sea air; and there were wild roses
and other flowering shrubs, thistles and tiger-lilies and other wild
flowers, beautiful enough to tempt our travellers to alight occasionally
to gather them.
'Sconset was reached at length, three adjacent cottages found ready and
waiting for their occupancy, and they took possession.
The cottages stood on a high bluff overlooking miles of sea, between
which and the foot of the cliff stretched a low sandy beach a hundred
yards or more in width, and gained by flights of wooden stairs.
The cottages faced inland, and had each a little back yard, grassy, and
showing a few flowers, that reached to within a few yards of the edge
of the bluff. The houses were tiny, built low and strong, that they might
resist the fierce winds of winter in that exposed position, and shingled
all over to keep out the spray from the waves, which would penetrate
any other covering.
Dinner was engaged for our entire party at one of the hotels, of which
there were two; but as it yet wanted more than an hour of the time set
for the meal, all who were not too tired sallied forth to explore the
hamlet and its environs.
They found it to consist of about two hundred cottages, similar to those
they had engaged for the season, each in a little enclosure. They were
built along three narrow streets or lanes running parallel with the edge
of the bluff, and stood in groups of twos or threes, separated by narrow

cross-lanes, giving every one free access to the town pump, the only
source of fresh-water supply in the place.
The children were particularly interested in the cottage of Captain
Baxter, with its famous ship's figure-head in the yard.
Back of the original 'Sconset, on the slight ascent toward Nantucket
Town, stood a few more pretentious cottages, built as summer
residences by the rich men of the island, retired sea captains, and
merchants; this was the one broad street, and here were the two hotels,
the Atlantic House and the Ocean View House.
Then on the bluff south of the old village, called Sunset Heights, there
were some half dozen cottages; a few on the bluff north of it, also.
The town explored and dinner eaten, of course the next thing was to
repair to the beach to watch the rush and tumble of the restless waves,
fast chasing each other in, and the dash of the spray as they broke along
the shore.
There was little else to see, for the bathing hour was long past; but that
was quite enough.
Soon, however, nearly every one of the party began to feel
unaccountably sleepy. Some returned to the cottages for the indulgence
of their desire for slumber, and others, spreading cloaks and shawls
upon the sand, enjoyed a delicious rest, warmed by the sun and fanned
by the sea breeze.
For a day or two they did little but sleep and eat, and sleep and eat
again, enjoying it immensely, too, and growing fat and strong.
After that they woke to new life, made inquiries in regard to all the
sights and amusements the island afforded, and began availing
themselves of their opportunities, as if it were the business of life.
When it was for a long drive to some notable point, all went together,
chartering several vehicles for their conveyance; at other times they not

unfrequently broke up into smaller parties, some preferring one sort of
sport, some another.
"How many of us are going to bathe to-day?" Mr. Dinsmore asked, the
second morning after their arrival.
"I for one, if you will bear me company and look out for my safety,"
said his wife.
"Most assuredly I will," he answered. "And you too, Elsie?" turning to
his daughter.
"Yes, sir," she said, "if you think you can be burdened with the care of
two."
"No, mother," spoke up Edward, quickly; "you and Zoe will be my
charge, of course."
"Ridiculous, Ned! of course, Harold and I will take care of mamma,"
exclaimed Herbert. "You will have enough to do to look out for your
wife's safety."
(The yacht had touched at Cape May and taken the two college students
aboard there.)
"I shall be well taken care of," their mother said, laughingly, with an
affectionate glance from one to another of her three tall sons; "but I
should like one of you to take charge of Rosie, another of Walter; and,
in fact, I don't
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