Elsie at the World's Fair

by Martha Finley

  CHAPTER XII.

  There was a gathering of friends and relatives on the _Dolphin_ thatevening: all from Pleasant Plains were there; Chester and Frank Dinsmorealso and the Ion family. The brother and sister of Grandma Elsie, and hereldest daughter with her husband and children, had paid their visit to theFair at an earlier date and returned home.

  Expecting to do a good deal of entertaining Captain Raymond had taken careto have his boat well provisioned, and all were cordially invited to stayand take dinner on board.

  No one declined, and they were a pleasant, lively party, each havingsomething interesting to tell of the experiences of the day, and allagreeing that the Fair was well worth the trouble and expense of thejourney to reach it, and the hundred and one demands upon the purse whilethere. Grace alone was very quiet, seeming to have little or nothing tosay, and looking at times both sad and distressed. Her father noticed itand seizing the first opportunity to speak with her in private, asked intenderly solicitous tones if she were feeling perfectly well, adding: "Ifear I have allowed you to exert yourself too much in the past few days,my darling."

  "I don't know whether or not I have gone about too much, papa, but it wasvery kind in you to let me," she replied, laying her head on his shoulder,for they were sitting side by side on a sofa in the cabin, while theothers had all gone up to the deck, "but oh, I can't forget those poor menwho perished in the flames yesterday, or their wives and children, perhapsleft very poor and helpless. Papa, if you are willing, I'd like to giveall my pocket money to help them. My own dear father pays my way all thetime and I don't need to buy any of the fine things I see for sale hereand there."

  "My dear child," he said, with emotion, "you may do just as you pleaseabout that. I am very glad that my little girl is so willing to denyherself to help others, and I must tell you for your comfort that a gooddeal of money has already been raised for the benefit of those sadlybereaved ones."

  "You gave some, papa? Oh, I know you did!"

  "Yes, daughter, I gave out of the abundance of means which God has putinto my hands, certainly not that it may all be spent upon myself anddearest ones, but entrusted to me that some of it may be used for therelief of suffering humanity; and it is a very great pleasure--aninestimable privilege--to be permitted thus to ally to some extent thewoes of poverty and bereavement."

  "Yes, papa; I feel it so, and am thankful that you approve of my doingwhat I can to help those poor, bereaved ones."

  "I am very glad my little girl is unselfish enough to desire to do so," heresponded. He passed a hand tenderly over her golden curls as he spoke,and kissed her again and again with warmth of affection.

  "Do you want to join the others on the deck?" he asked presently, "orwould you rather go at once to your bed and rest? You are looking veryweary."

  "I am tired, papa," she replied, "but I think that to lie in one of thesteamer chairs on deck, and listen to the talk, will rest me nicely."

  "You may do so for an hour or two," he said. "I will help you up there;but when the others scatter--as they probably will by that time--I wantyou to go to your bed and try to get a good, long night's sleep. I musttake good care of my feeble, delicate little girl that she may gain, andnot lose, by this trip to the North and visit to the World's Fair."

  He took her in his arms as he spoke, carried her to the deck and depositedher in a vacant lounging chair, then seated himself by her side and tookNeddie on his knee.

  Violet was on her husband's other side, and Dr. Conly and his Marian nearat hand on the farther side of Grace.

  "You are looking weary, little cousin," he remarked, giving her asearching look; "so weary that were I asked for a prescription it shouldbe an early retirement to your berth, to be followed by a long night'srest. However, I suppose you are Harold's patient now."

  "Yours too, Cousin Arthur," she said with a smile; "also papa's, and hehas already given me the very same prescription."

  "As I do, if I am consulted," said Harold, "and when three such physiciansagree, you surely will not venture to disregard their advice."

  "No, indeed!" she returned, with her own sweet smile again, "nor would I,if any of the three had given it. I do really feel the need of rest forto-night, but hope you will all agree to let me go at least as far as theCourt of Honor to-morrow."

  "That will depend upon how you are feeling in the morning," returned herfather, Violet adding: "And if you should have to stay here and rest fora day or two you need not feel so very badly about it, Gracie, because ourtime for remaining in and about the White City is not limited like that ofsome less fortunate people."

  "No, mamma, and that is something to be thankful for. Oh, I do thinkmyself a most fortunate girl," Grace said in reply, directing a look ofardent affection toward her father as she spoke. The other young folkswere chatting together near by, principally of the beauties of the Fair,and indulging in many a merry jest and much light laughter.

  "The Court of Honor is, in my opinion, the most beautiful place in theworld," remarked Rosie; "at least the most beautiful I have ever seen orcan imagine; especially at night, when the magnificent MacMonnie'sfountain, and the electric fountains are all at play. What beautifulrainbow-colored showers they send up! I never dreamed of anything solovely and can never weary of looking at them."

  "Nor have I," said Croly. "I move that we all go over there presently; intime to witness the lighting up."

  There was a general assent, and young Percy Landreth, who had managed tosecure a seat close at Lucilla's side, said to her in an undertone: "Youwill go surely, and may I have the pleasure of acting as your escort?"

  "I don't know," she returned with a slight laugh and an arch look atChester Dinsmore, who, sitting near on her other side, had overheard therequest, and was looking slightly vexed and disappointed; "papa hasn'ttold me yet whether I may go to-night or not; and I'm 'a young thing whocannot leave her father' or go anywhere without his knowledge and consent.I'll ask him, however," she concluded, jumping up and hastening to thecaptain's side. "Papa," she asked, "can I go presently to the Court ofHonor with the others--and you? for I suppose you are going?"

  "I think it likely that your mamma and I will be going after a little," hesaid in reply; "but Grace is too weary to return there to-night, and youtoo would be the better able to enjoy yourself at the Fair to-morrowshould you go early to bed to-night; so that is what I wish you to do."

  "Indeed, papa, I am not so very tired," she said half imploringly, half invexation. "Mayn't I go?"

  "You have my answer to that question, daughter," he replied in a tone solow that the words scarce reached any ear but hers. "I think it best forboth you and Grace that you should stay here with her, and surely you loveyour sister well enough to do so willingly, even if you had your father'sconsent to your going ashore for the evening?"

  "Papa," said Grace, overhearing the last sentence, "I would not have Lumiss the pleasant evening on shore on my account. I will go directly tobed and probably fall asleep at once."

  "As I hope and believe Lucilla will also," he returned, with a glance ofgrieved displeasure bestowed upon his eldest daughter, which sent aremorseful pang to her heart.

  "Oh, father, don't be vexed with me," she entreated low and tremulously,putting a hand into his as she spoke; "I am glad that I am under yourorders; I am, indeed, and would not for anything leave dear Gracie alone."

  "I am sure of it, daughter," he returned, pressing the hand affectionatelyas he spoke. "Also I think that to-morrow you will be thankful to me thatyou have had a rest from exertion and excitement."

  "Yes, papa, I always find that your way is best, and I am very glad andthankful that I have such a kind, wise father."

  "Well, Lu, did you get leave to go?" asked Rosie as Lucilla rejoined thecircle of young people. "No; papa wishes me to stay here and get to bedearly that I may be well rested for to-morrow's exertion in seeing thesights of the White City," Lucilla answered in a lively, cheerful tone,that seemed to indicate entire satisfaction with her father
's decision.She was in fact so remorseful over her momentary exhibition of wilfulnessthat she felt as if she no longer cared for anything but to convince herdearly loved father of her penitence on account of it, and her desire todo exactly as he directed.

  "A wise and kind decision, Lu," remarked Herbert Travilla, overhearingwhat she said. "A rest now may save you from a serious break-down somedays or weeks hence."

  "Yes, Uncle Herbert, I am well aware that such a father as mine is a verygreat blessing," she returned with a smile. "I only wish I were as good adaughter."

  Just at that moment the guns announced the setting of the sun, and theflags on the _Dolphin_ and other vessels came down with the usualceremonies. That over, those who intended going ashore for the evening orthe night began their preparations, which were such as to occupy but a fewminutes. Violet put her little ones to bed, and the captain, who hadcarried sleepy little Ned down to the state-room, on coming out into thesaloon found Lucilla there waiting to speak to him.

  "Papa," she said humbly, "have you quite forgiven my crossness to-nightwhen you refused to let me go ashore? I am very, very sorry for it, but Iam perfectly satisfied now with your decision; I was, the next minute, andoh, I do love you dearly, dearly, though I can hardly expect you tobelieve it when--when I'm so ready to be rebellious," she added, hidingher face on his breast, for he had taken her into his arms the moment shebegan to speak.

  "Yet I do believe it, my own darling," he replied in tender tones,smoothing her hair caressingly as he spoke. "I fully believe that you loveme devotedly, though for a moment you indulged in the old rebelliousspirit that used to cause so much pain to both you and me. However, thisis almost the first time I have seen any show of it for two or threeyears. In all that time you have been as willingly and cheerfully obedientas anyone could ask or expect a daughter to be."

  "Oh, thank you, my dear father, for saying that!" she responded, liftingto his, eyes beaming with happiness, "and I do intend that it shall be myvery last failure to be as promptly and cheerfully obedient as possible,for I know you never deny me anything, unless you see that it is for mygood, and I have never known you to make a mistake about that. Do you wantGrace and me to go to bed as soon as you and the others are gone?"

  "I think it would be well for you to do so, but if you both prefer it youmay stay on deck for another half hour."

  "Then I will get ready for bed at once, papa, for I want to do exactly asyou think best, and I know Gracie does also."

  "Yes, I know she does; and, by the way, I must carry her down before I go;she is so weary, poor child," he said, hurrying up to the deck.

  Lucilla waited only to see the others off, then joined her sister in theirstate-room.

  "You poor dear, you are so tired!" she exclaimed, noticing Grace's wearyexpression and heavy eyes. "You must let me help you with yourpreparations for bed."

  "Thank you, Lu," returned Grace; "you are such a dear sister--always sokind and helpful to me; but I am sorry that for my sake you should losethe pleasure of going to the Court of Honor with the others to-night."

  "O Gracie, you know we always find out in the end that papa's way is thebest for us both, and he refused my request for my own sake as well asyours."

  "Yes; he is the very kindest and best of fathers," said Grace; "he neverrefuses any one of his children anything he can give them when he thinksit good for them."

  "But now I must stop talking and go to sleep as quickly as possible, as hebade me when he brought me down here."

  Both she and Lucilla were asleep in a few minutes and awoke the nextmorning feeling greatly refreshed and rested.

  "Shall we visit the Turkish village to-day?" asked Violet at the breakfasttable.

  "I say aye to that," said Walter. "I want to see it and make somepurchases there. I've heard that there is a street there with booths alongon the side and a bazaar where one can buy various kinds of Turkish goods.I want to get some if only for curiosities."

  "And for a quarter you can go up in the restaurant and see the girlsdance," said his sister Rosie; "or into the theatre to look at arepresentation of Mohammedan home life and adventure. So Mr. Will Crolytold me."

  "Well, I don't know about going to the theatre," returned Walter, "but I'dlike to see their mosque with its minaret, at noon or sunset, when a realmuezzin comes out and calls upon the faithful to remember Allah and givehim glory."

  "He does it at sunrise too, doesn't he?" asked Evelyn Leland.

  "Yes; but we'll never get over there in time for that. Some of ourAmerican folks don't know what he is about,--not understanding hislanguage--and imagine that he's selling popcorn or advertising thedance-house, or maybe calling for somebody to come and help him down."

  "How, Uncle Wal?" asked Neddie.

  "With a ladder, I suppose."

  "Do they bring it to him?"

  "I don't think they have yet, Neddie; at least I haven't heard of it. Butwouldn't you like to go and see it all?"

  "Yes; if papa will take me; and mamma will go too."

  "How many would like to go?" asked the captain, and everyone responding infavor of so doing the question was considered settled.

  They set out at their usual early hour, met Harold and Herbert in thePeristyle, lingered a little in the Court of Honor, then made their way tothe Turkish village, went through the booths and bazaar, making a numberof purchases, looked at the mosque and heard the noon cry of the muezzin.

  Then they visited an Arabian tent and the fac-simile of a house inDamascus. In the tent there were male and female Arabs sittingcross-legged; some of them boiling coffee, or making thin wafer cakes,while others played on odd looking instruments and chanted in monotonoustones.

  The party went into the house, found that it contained but one room,oblong in shape, with high ceiling, and windows just beneath the cornice.

  "That would hardly do for Americans," remarked Walter, gazing up at them,"for we could not see into the street."

  "We could go to the door, Uncle Walter," said Elsie.

  "Or have a step-ladder to carry about from one window to another," laughedRosie.

  "I like the festooned walls, the fountain in the centre, and the thickrugs on the floors," remarked Violet; "the hanging lamps too, andornaments of rich woods inlaid with ivory; also the divans that look likesuch comfortable resting-places."

  "Yes, madame would find them pleasant to rest upon," responded a youngTurk in excellent, but quaintly intoned, English; then he went on toexplain everything in the same tongue.

  Their next visit was to Cairo Street, at the gate of which ten cents wasasked for the admission of each one of the party; a small sum theythought, to give in payment for a sight of all that was on exhibitioninside. Having passed through the gate they found themselves in a streetsquare, with a cafe opening into it on one side. Entering it they sat downand looked about them.

  Captain Raymond, who had been more than once in Cairo itself, pronouncedthe scene an exact copy of what was to be found there, and they presentlylearned that the doors and wooden-grated windows had been brought bodilyfrom that city.

  They could see projecting balconies, mysterious archways, airy loggias,and tiny shops filled to overflowing with such things as many a one wouldwant to buy, and being in easy circumstances they bought a number ofarticles such as were not too heavy or cumbersome to be easily carried.

  Soon, however, their attention was turned to the crowds in the streets.Near by was a donkey and camel stand--donkeys standing and camels lyingdown in their own peculiar fashion.

  "Oh, what funny fellows!" laughed little Ned.

  "Yes," said his father, "those are camels. Would you like to take a rideon one?"

  "No, sir; I might fall off."

  "Yes, Ned, and hurt yourself; maybe break your leg; and it would takeeven Cousin Arthur a good while to mend it; so that you would miss thepleasure of going about with the rest of us," said Walter.

  "I don't want to ride just now," said Ned, "but if I did I'd rather tryone of those littl
e horses."

  "Donkeys, Ned," corrected his sister Lucilla, "and what little fellowsthey are! no bigger than Max's dog Prince!"

  "Oh, see!" cried Rosie with a merry laugh, "that one going down the streetknocked against that big fat man and almost upset him."

  "Notice the drivers," said Evelyn, "all so swarthy and with such blackeyes, naked feet, long caftans, fez, and turbans. And what a keen watchthey keep for customers. Evidently they do not despise American dollars,dimes, or cents."

  "No, indeed! not they," said Walter. "Oh, there are a couple who evidentlycontemplate taking a ride on a camel; see, the young fellow seems to bebargaining with one of the drivers; and how the people are crowding roundto look and listen!"

  "What's the price?" they heard the young man ask. They did not catch thereply, but he went on with his questions: "Will he bite? Is he quite tame?Is there any danger at all?"

  "No-a bite," returned the driver; "good camel," and as he spoke he reachedfor the girl, who shrank back a little. But he quickly lifted her to thesaddle and showed her how to hold on.

  Then the young man climbed up behind her, reached around her waist andseized the hand-hold as if determined that nothing should tear it from hisgrasp.

  The girl noticed it and grew more frightened, turning a trifle paler andasking: "Is there any danger?"

  But the driver was already tugging at the halter and striking the camelover the neck with his stick, and slowly it spread out its hind legs,rising on them first, and throwing its riders forward till it seemed as ifthey must slide down his sloping neck and fall to the ground.

  The girl screamed, as her hat fell over her eyes, but both she and herescort held on with a deathlike grip.

  The camel paused for a moment, then swayed back and forth sideways; thegirl screamed again, but the camel was only untangling his legs, and thenext instant settled himself on them in a way that threw his ridersbackward so that they would have fallen off behind but for their firmgrasp of the ropes.

  But now the camel was fairly upon his four feet, and slowly turning roundwith a wobbling motion like a boat caught in a trough of waves; the ridershad recovered from their fright, and were both laughing. All this time thecrowd had been standing round watching the two, and laughing andtittering, for, risky as the whole proceeding looked, there was reallyvery little, if any, danger.