Oh, never yet were little boys so much alike as they! Each looked more like the other than himself, folks used to say. And since no one between them any difference could tell Some incidents quite undeserved the two at times befell. Their mother was so puzzled about telling which was which That it made it very awkward when she had to use her switch; And it frequently would happen that the guilty one went free, While his righteous little brother would be placed across her knee. When either of the little boys was vexed with childish ills The good old doctor soon would bring his castor oil and squills, And, in spite of tears and protests, he would very often make The well one swallow all his horrid doses, by mistake. Though one at school was always head, the teacher had to put The other (who would never learn his lessons) at the foot; So the bright boy for his indolence was ofttimes sternly chid, And the dull one patted on the head for what his brother did. And sometimes, too, the cook would make a little pie for one, And give it to the other just as soon as it was done; And, to keep the first from crying, she would roll him out one more, But the second, when he came again, would get it, as before. Oh, never yet were little boys so much alike as they! Each looked more like the other than himself, folks used to say. And since no one between them any difference could tell, Surprising and unjust rewards the two at times befell! THE KELP-GATHERERS. [_A Story of the Maine Coast._] BY J. T. TROWBRIDGE. CHAPTER XVII. PERCIVAL AND THE WATCH. After assisting to bring Olly safe to shore, Perce Bucklin had time to reflect upon his still unclaimed treasure-trove and to grow extremely anxious in regard to it. He had not felt responsible for its first immersion in the sea. But it had received a second wetting while in his possession. That set him to considering seriously the damage salt water might do, if it should get into the delicate works, and he worried over this to such an extent that he could no longer keep quietly at work, with the watch still in his damp pocket. “Boys,” said he, “I’m going to have some doughnuts.” He had planned in his own mind that he would take that opportunity to conceal his prize in some safe, dry place. “I’m hungry too!” said Moke. “So ’m I!” said Poke. And all threw down their forks. Their early breakfast, their labor at the kelp, and their exciting adventure on the water, had made the morning seem very long, and prepared them for a substantial luncheon. That wasn’t just what Perce expected. They were no sooner seated on the sand, with pail and basket and a bottle of spruce beer between them, than fresh restlessness seized him. Whoever the owner of the watch was or was to be, he felt that it ought to go at once to the jeweler, and be cleaned and oiled. He suddenly jumped to his feet.