Clinging, clinging,
In this green shadow, the clematis swings.
Bringing, bringing,
Hints of strange odors, and dim woodland things.

Flinging, flinging,
The snow-ball, its white, pretty blossoms on me,
Springing, springing,
The damask rose climbs to the lattice to see!

Backward my hair is floating and swaying,
Here o'er the garden-walk softly I sing;
Far more delightful, than wearily straying,
Is it to dream here, while gently I swing.

[Illustration: {CHILDREN AT THE BEACH.}]

HOW THE DAYS WENT AT SEA-GULL BEACH.

No school! And the beautiful summer days coming so early in the
morning, that none of us children ever could get awake to see the sun
rise, and staying so long that we grew quite tired of being happy; and
some of us, Gracie and Jimmie in particular, were so little, that they
couldn't stay awake through the whole of it, and went off into a nap
every day after dinner.

But this was in the city, and when we arrived at the beach we didn't
get tired or cross the whole day long. There were many children at the
hotel, and when we came, with our dolls and toy boats, our
fishing-tackle and spades, and pails, we made a host of friends
immediately.

Reginald and Willie, our older brothers, did not always go with Gracie
and Jimmie and me, but made the acquaintance of the men that went out
to sea to fish for the great hotels; and they went oftentimes with
them, and we used to enjoy seeing the little boats launched; they
almost stood on end when they went over the breakers, making us scream
with excitement and delight. And as the little fleet grew less and
less, and at last disappeared, we girls thought it was a grand thing
to have such brave brothers.

I was the elder girl, being ten, and Gracie seven. Our Gracie was a
lovely little sister; she had large blue eyes, and wavy brown hair,
and was very gentle and obedient, and people called her "Pet," almost
as soon as they became acquainted with her.

Mother had blue flannel suits made for us, and dressed in these, with
sailor hats that had little tapping ribbons at the sides, we scurried
along the beach, climbed the rocks, or waded out into the salt water.

But we had on our very prettiest dresses in the evening, for the
children were allowed to have the grand parlor, and dance to the music
of the band until nine o'clock. This was a privilege we older ones
talked of continuall