among other prints and engravings in a stationer's window. They immediately came to the conclusion that the Isle of Wight was just the place for them to go to, and as they knew that their mother had formed no definite plans in respect to her next movements, they determined at once to go home and propose this project to her.

While talking together on this subject, they crossed the street to the side that was toward the sea, in order to return by way of the outer sidewalk, so as to look over the wall and see what was going on on the beach. They observed that nearly all the man-carriages had been taken off the stand. It was a pleasant morning and it seems that a great many ladies, and also several invalid gentlemen, had concluded to have a ride. There were only two or three of the carriages remaining, and of these all but one was taken as they came along. This one happened to stand nearly opposite the house where Mrs. Morelle's lodgings were.

This last remaining carriage belonged to a man who looked rather old and not very strong. In fact, the servants who came to engage the carriages always looked out for a good strong and healthy looking man to draw them, just as they would look out for good horses in the case

of a horse carriage. Thus this poor old man was left. He was walking to and fro on the sidewalk near his carriage looking anxious and

careworn.

Florence observed all this as she came up. Johnny did too, and when they reached the place he stopped to speak to the old man. "Can't you get a fare ?" he asked. "No, my young gentleman," replied the old

man.

"I have not had a fare to-day, and I do not see when I shall get one unless you and this young lady would like to take a ride along the cliffs."

"Let's go," said Johnny, turning suddenly to Florence.

"No," said Florence, "but perhaps mother would like to go. We might go and ask her, and we might walk along by the side of the carriage."

"And push," said Johnny, "I could help push."

"Bless your heart my young lady, if you could get me a fare," rejoined the old man, "you don't know what a kindness it would be."

So the children went across the road to the house and up into Mrs. Morelle's parlor, which was on the second floor in the front-Mrs. Morelle having chosen a room in that situation in

order to have a commanding view of the beach, and of the sea from the windows. Florence and John told her their story. They took her to the window and pointed out the old man, who was walking anxiously to and fro.

"He has not had a fare to-day, mother," said Florence, "and I am sure his wife and children must be suffering for want of something to eat. They won't have any dinner unless you go and take a ride."

"Yes, mother," said John, "and you must make haste or somebody else will get him for he is the last man on the stand."

The children did not observe that the reasons they assigned were somewhat conflicting, and their mother did not stop to criticise them, but said at once she would go. So Johnny opened the window and lifted up his finger, and the man seeing the signal immediately came over to the door. Mrs. Morelle put on her things and went down, and the whole party immediately set off on their excursion.

CHAPTER II.

THE RAILWAY STATION.

THE party on leaving the door proceeded to the eastward, still keeping in the road or street which led along the shore,. until they came to the end of the town. Here the road went up a gentle ascent, still following the shore, until, at length, it came to a broad tract of smooth and level grass land which extended along the top of a range of cliffs from which the children could look down over the sea, and could see the waves rolling in upon the beach below.

Here Mrs. Morelle got out of the carriage and walked about with the children. The cliffs were not very high, but they were very precipitous, and it was safe to go near enough to look down. It is not safe, however, in such cases to go too near, for the waves beating all the time upon the rocks below undermine the cliffs, and masses frequently break off from above and fall down to the shore, where the fragments are beaten against each other, and broken to pieces, by the waves, as has already been described.

The children walked along the top of these cliffs for more than half a mile, the man following with the carriage. At length, when it was time for them to turn Mrs. Morelle took her seat in the carriage again, and began to ride backthe children walking by her side.

While thus returning the children brought forward their proposal of going to the Isle of Wight. They described the picture they had seen of the thatched-roof hotel, and expatiated earnestly on the picturesque and beautiful situation of it.

Perhaps it is not a real hotel," said Mrs. Morelle. "It may be only a fancy sketch."

"Oh, no, mother," said Florence, "it is real, I am sure. The name of the place that it is in was put down, and the name of the man that keeps it."

"Then it may be the picture of some old. hotel," said Mrs. Morelle, "and perhaps it is shut up now."

All the reply the children could make to this suggestion, was that they thought that so pretty a hotel must have a great many customers, and would not be at all likely to be given up.

"However," said Mrs. Morelle, "I don't think that is of much consequence, for even if that hotel should be closed I know there are plenty